The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-01-08
cov.ynor,. M.ss.s.
Governors Message.
EXECUTIVE 0fFfcE, LEcoMPToN,(
K. r Januarv I'D 1883

Act and Laws OF the Territory 10 consult
for the public good, and to fulfil faithfully
and honorably the important trusts con-
fded to our care.
Nature has provided, and we have chos-
en- country not only beautiful to look
upon, but OVERLOOKING in all that is required
to make happy and prosperous peo-
ple-she has lefbnothing wanting to bring
forth, and into thse Union, another State,
rich, happy and progressive as any of the
Sisterhood, varied as they are in soil, cli-'
mate and character of their people but |
peace must be courted, industry rewarded, |
due observance of law enforced by pub |
lie opinion, as we'll as by the chosen an
thorities, else the blessings which hatiire
has bestowed, will be lost to ourselves and |
our posterity.
Where the freedom of the press, of
! speech and of conscience, is unquestioned,
difference of opinion must necessarily ex-
| ist. When that freedom, unchecked by
honest Judgment and just desires, is per
mitted to run riot, violate laws and con-
situations, it becomes curse rather than
blessing to the people.
Written constitutions and written laws
are based upon the virtue and intelligence
of those from whom they emsnate, and
are daguerreotype of the mind which
constitutes the government. The future
will know us by our laws, for upon them
our character, as people, must be indeli-
blystsmped. y
To the patriotic lover of the Union, it is
a just cause of alarm and deep regret to
witness, in various parts of the country,
growing disposition to overawe the voter,
corrupt the ballot box, and to secure pow
er by fraud and disobedience to the plain
est letter of the law, and the dictates of
honesty. Against all such practices, the
sound conservative men of the nation
} should set their faces, before the increas-
ing evil attains magnitude beyond their
control, and the governing power falls into
the hands of those, unprincipled and vici-
Gus, cast up as fit representatives of such
} morality. Power, by such means, is dear
ly bought. The successful party would
have been better served by defeat. Sue
cess might be ruin, when defeat would be
preservation.
To the victors may properly belong the
spells; but they are the spoils and patron
age given to power for the public veal
and public necessity. But when the ma
jority mistakes the spoils of official sta
, ton, regulated by law, for the spoliation
of the rights and property of the minority,
our Wanted freedom and business of gov
r eminent become the objects of ridicule,
/ and furnish the strongest arguments
against our government policy No one
: has reason, nor right to complain of the
D successful party distributing the posts of
favor among its political friends; but there
the power of the law ends; all beyond
that is criminal and the individual amen
q able to the laws.
e AS the subject of forming State Con-
|. stitution, and asking admission into the
Union has been extensively agitated, it
might be expected that should allude to
it in this place. In doing SO, shall speak
v oft only in practical sense-it has nc
necessary political connection. The Ter
ritorial condition is certainly not desirable
for large and wealthy community-it is
a transition state from youth to manhood
4 from weakness to strength. 1t is a
o question, with the people of Kansas,
-. whether they are prepared to assume the
- weighty responsibilities of a State Govern
e ment. Personal ambition should not be
e permitted to step in between them and
It their true interests. The question should
be discussed in all its bearings, and brought
to decision favorable to the interests OF
the whole people. Population has much
to do with the question, it is true; but to
the people of Kansas, who have the ex-
;. pense of Government to pay out Of theil
" own pockets, their ability to do so is OF
deep interest to them, and should not be
Y overlooked.
Q Congress has been liberal to many of the
Territories; but there is much yet to be
done for Kansas in the way of appropria-
J tons, to place her upon an equal footing
: with many that have preceded. From hel
:, disturbed condition for the past few years
y the appropriations which she has received
- have not been as advantageously disposed
;, of as they would have been. But the peo-
. pie of Kansas are not alone to blame
i There were those outside her limits, and
!, even in the Halls of Congress, who de-
" served goodly share. Agitation from
without, infaming the emigrant on his
way hither, was calculated to continue, il
not increase the excitement within the
Territory.
= Railroads from the East, already APP.
. preaching our very border, and pointing
their way through the hearts of our Ter.
ritory, are about to bring into our midst
both population and wealth, in their pas.
sage onward to the shores of the Pacific
to return with rich cargoes of the minera
% wealth of the mountains and the products
# of Asiatic industry-will make Kansa.
y the great thoroughfare of the States. Ly.
Y ing in the geographical center of the Tn.
. ion, the hope may be entertained thai
Is Kansas may one day become its concen.
tering point for population, wealth and in.
- huence.
10 would most respectfully call your at.
# tention to that portion the Territory ly.
" ing in the region of the recent gold dis
cOveries. A large number of our owl
citizens, and emigrants from the States
% have already located there, and from the
- best and latest information that has beer
> extensive immigration must be expected
during the coming season. The county
of Arrapahoe already established and or
ganiZed by my predecessor, Governor
g Denver, in September last includes with
in its boundaries nearly, if not the whole
of the gold field. What additional legis
lation may be necessary for the protection
;, of its citizens, and to regulate their inter.
= course, it will be your duty to inquire.
;, might here suggest that Memorial t.
: Congress for the establishment of mai
= route from For. Riley to some point with.
|. in the gold field, might not be inappropri.
! ate, but of great importance.
e I would, with no little Difference, cal
ST your attention to the question whether the
IS laws for the organization Of townships and
e counties might not be greatly simplifed
h the number of officers reduced-the ex.
Y penses lesseued; and yet, the people