Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-01-06

Address afE1sul9. GH&AosyDs4ver to the
--~--.4-.--- People Of Kansas, -
1Ia A.sles bsep appointed ~ aha President Fl 4e
the Governors absence acting Governor ofthis Ter
ritory, it 10 proper that i should make brief ID
dress, sufficient to indicate what my future eourse Of
action will be. The troubles and difficulties with
which the people of the Territory have been involv
ca make this the more necessary, for it would be
unreasonable to expect any one occupying this pc.
sition to escape Misrepresentation aud abuse. The
passions of many have been so thoroughly aroused,
and longstanding difficulties have SO embittered the
feelings OF one portion of the community against
another, that it has been represented almost i'm
possible to hnd any one willing to listen to the voice
OF reason. This am not prepared to believe That
there are some violent men who have assumed to
speak by authority for the people large and coun-
sci such measures as must necessarily If followed
lead to blOodshed, anal chy, and confusion, have
no doubt; but it will require more than bare asser-
ton to satisfy me that there is not yet enough the
conservative element remaining to uphold and en-
force the laws, by which alone the lives and proper
ty OF cur citizens be protected and the honor of
the country preserved
is the earnest desire Of the President that fair
opportunity should be afforded all the people of the
Territory at the approaching elections give full
and free expression of their opinions and as an evil
dence of this give the following quotations from
his instructions to me, through the Secretary of
State, dated December H. 1867:
the instructions referred to, which were published
| in full in the daily Union Of the 25th inst i
by these instructions it will be seen that my duty
is plainly marked out, and my own views on these
subjects entirely accord with those of the President
l shall find no difficulty in obeying them; and l
trust that all good citizens will assist in preserv
ing the peace of the Territory, and at the time
settle the questions which perplex them. 1t is
far easy do this through the ballot. box than
by the sword, and in that way it can also be done
much more speedily. 1t is much more to be regret
ted that portion of the people have resolved not
to vote on the constitution, submitted to-day for
had there been a general attendance at the polls,
the question of slavery would have been fully and
definitely settled. The American people can never
determine political question by absentng them.
selves from the polls. Their absence is regarded as
Indifference. and the majority of actually Civ
en- determines the result, and not the majority that
| might have been given 5s.. ...... . -
| 1t is asserted oy some that persons from other
States have interfered in the elections and that
| frauds have been perpetraed by which they have
! been overpowered and deprived of their rights
These charges may be true, but if SO, the evils they
! complain OF will not be remedied by absenting them
selves from the polls American citizens can never
preserve their rights by abandoning the elective
franchise and punishment too severe cannot be in
ficted on the man who, by violence, trickery or
fraud, would deprive them of it. There is no ques-
ton connected with our government which ought
not and which cannot be arncaby settled by it. 1t
is true that question may be presented in a man
ner Objectionable to some, but that is not good
reason for refusing to vote for if the majority wills
i, the difficulty be remedied by present
| ing the question in the manner required
This has been one of the reasons assigned why a
portion of the people will not to-day-that the
question has not been fairly presented Another is
that they anticipate frauds. | have seen Gen. Cal
houn' the president OF the convention, to whom the
returns are to be made and besides assuring me
that he has DONE and will continue to do, all he Gar
to have the elections fairly and properly conducted
has invited myself and the presiding officers OF the
two houses of the territorial Legislature to be pres
ent at the counting of the vote. If q majority o
the people are dissatisfied with the results of thes,
elections, they can soon change them in peaceab'
manner by a resort to the ballot-box.
very stringent law was passed at the late ses
sion Of the Legislature providing for the infection
severe penalties on persons engaged in election
frauds. This act meets with my most hearty ap
prevail and if it is not yet sufficiently stringent
will gladly assist in making it more So It is no
possible to throw too many guards around this grea
bulwark which is the very foundation Of our fire.
institutions.
cannot close this add, ess without warning tn
people against allowing themselves to be drawn in
to quarrels originating in conflicting claims to lands
This is fruitful source of difficulty in all coun
tries and in the present condition of this Territory
designing men will seek to turn everything of tn
sort to political account. Many troubles and tn
loss of many valuable lives may be traced to thi
cause, and people should be cautious about takin
sides political grounds in such matters as are
purely personal character.
In the discharge of my duties will take sue
steps as will, in my Judgment, best contribute t
carrying out the views above expressed; for tn
majesty of the laws must and shall be maintained
In these matters shall expect the cooperation
all good citizens, and should my expectations be
allied, have fears bat peace will be preserved.
| j. w. DENVER.
Secretary and Acting Governor.
December 81, 1857. &c. "si+ f.E