The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-07-16

are not yet collected tcgeth er in such shape as
~ of the Treasury opposes the introduction Of
any matter having tendency to deplete and
embarrass the public treasury under present cir
e9mstances. 4tn- Inc ADMINISTRATION members
Of Congress are opposed to having the subject
presented in any form that may revive former
discussions on Kansas affairs.
Ii is known that Mr.. Buchanan has, in private
conversations. expressed himself favorable to
proper indemnity Of individuals, provided the
Government can have the claims presented in
such form that the Territory stands as voucher
and sponsor for the reality and business Of the
the auditing Of claims, according to some gem
eral rule equally applicable to men of all parties
orb tribunal fairly constituted and represent
ing the several interests and views Of the pcliti
cal parties involved. Many members Of both
Houses OF Congress coincide in these views. but
they will never consent to the appointment Of
royug commission with power TO come to Kan
sas and hear and redress grievances dd li6ifum.
ihe whole subject must be compressed in a nut
SHELL and so presented as not only to avoid discus
sion, butt to secure the support Of men of all par
ties. The next House Of Representatives will
probably be opposition-the Senate Democratic.
whatever measure of indemnity is proposed.
must have such fair and harmonious antecedents
IN the Territory that Representatives of both
parties may be called upon to stand together in
rendering justice to their friends or fellow par
tisans in the Territory. Unless liberal policy
be pursued. oil parties unite in their efforts here,
SUCCESS IN Congress will be very doubtful.
The Bill proposed looks to the General Gov
eminent for indemnity for losses sustained by
great number Of our citizens, on the general prin
cipie thai government Is bound to protect the
rights, persons and property of its subjects in
return for the fulillment of the duties Of loyal
~, obedience, support and contributions which
the latter are compelled to 1ield. The duties Of
the Government and the governed are recipro-
cal. By q surrender of portion of his natural
rights on becoming an integral part Of civil So
clety. man virtually places himself AMI prop
erty at the control of the Government, and is en-
titled to protection Of his individual rights. ibis
doctrine was recognized in the Roman Civil
Law. became portion of the Common and Stat
ute Law. of England, was specially declared in
the lode Napoleon, and has long received
Of our own country. When the Government
has neglected or been unable to protect the
people Of different localities in their lawful
rights, or the latter have been damnided through
the action, non-actiOn or neglect of the Govern
ment, indemnity has been given repeatedly, as
the claims OF and allowances made to California,
Oregon, Washington Territory, Florida aud sew
eral OF the States, for Indian depredations and
otherwise. will show. The repeal of the Missouri
Compromise revived the excitement and called
to activity all the elements of strife, which had
portended serious difficulty in 1920. Statesmen
readily understood what might be apprehended
as natural result of the measure. However
proper in itself might be the wiPing out OF a
merely geographical line, Ms incompatible with
the equality and unity Of the States in political
rights, the opening of our Territory to settle
lnent under circumstances and in a manner cal
culated to invite hither sectional interests
winch, 1t was evident, would contend with each
other Tor supremacy. was an experiment in SELF
government, and an evidence of reliance upon
the patriotism and intelligence of the people,
hlghly complimentary to the latter, but danger
Gus in its character. The Gov eminent tailed to
perform its full duty By enforcing the principles
Of equal and exact justice and protection to all
interests alike social and politicsl. These, emil
grants from all sections Of the Union had right
| to expect; these, the Government was bound to
MAINTAIN; The result we have all seen to our
sorrow. Instead of conciliating the Represents
uyeS OF sectional interests by impartial Justice,
misrepresentation and frauds VI paralleled in
history, induced the adoption of policy on the
part CT the Administration, the real foundation
OF which, as well as its results, is now D Operly
appreciated, and its injustice admitted b. both
| instlgntors and instruments. The sooner amends
are made BY the General Government the sooner
VII peace. Prosperity and justice prevail in our
Territory; The moral as well Us legal response
olilty OF the Government for the losses sustained
cannot De denied or repudiatcd.
Inc Bill now proposed authorizes the issue Of
certlncateS on awards made, upon the expecta-
ton that Congressional appropriation will re-
deem them. This can be secured in the form
proposed, By Incorporating it in the Ordinance
Of the Constitution. The Territory owes it to its
citizens to protect, and rs far possible, secure
their rights. The success of this Bill will carr,
joy 10 the hearts Of many a worthy household
Inc certificates, whether in the shape proposed
or included IN funded debt, will be available
ana Afford pecuniary relief to many.
Our people had been, for so long time
working at cross purposes against each
other; the interests of the bona fde set.
tiers had been so often made the football
OF politicians and partisans; the develop.
ment of the material interests of the Ter.
rltory had been SO greatly retarded the
local difficulties arising out of the slavery
question, directly or indirectly, had sc
often caused the shedding of blood the
passions of a considerable body of til,
people In certain portions of the Territor,
where suffering from the loss and destruc
ton of property in 1856 then existed, haG
been so aroused, that the Legislature re-
garded it as the primary step towards
peace and prosperity to allay political as
perltles by an act of justice, that woulC
respect the views and secure the rights o
all, regardless of party proclivilies. TIL,
unity OF action thus proposed by gentle
men OF all political parties, was regarded
and hailed as favorable omen, and on
that could not fail to have beneficial eff
feet upon the future of our Territory
The fact that most of the losses were sus
tanned by bona fide settlers, men of sub
stance, men having families, men VIII,
had come here to make Kansas thei
home, presuming that they might her
enjoy the same liberty OF thought ant
speech and the same protection 10 wha
, they understood and believed to be thei
rights OF property, as in the States from
which they came, was no longer a matte
of doubt. Il had been demonstrated +
the satisfaction of all, that most of til
outrages complained of had been perpe
trated and property taken or destroyed b,
a Class of irresponsible and reckless des
peradoes drawn hither through the excite
nent and appliances Of political cam
paign and the Intervention of parties an,
paitisans outside of the Territory; tina
many of those desperadoes who cam
here were governed by self.interest in
stead of political principles, and that they
10 great extent, participated in the war
fare, some on one side and some on tn
other-in fact, that outside Intervention Il
Territorial affairs. contrary to the acishe
and interests Of the real settlers of Kansas
caused and continued the prolonged strife
But for such intervention on either side
the real settlers would soon have settlet
their political differences in legal anc
peaceable manner, provided the Genera
Government had afforded them the pro
lection and "fair play" guaranteed then
by the Constitution. Time and the bal
lot box were all that were necessary t,
demonstrate and establish whatever tn,
people of Kansas might deem for thei
best interests.
With a patriotism and disinterested
ness that could not fail to secure publ,
approval, party feeling was buried ant
the Act of Feb. z, 1859, was passed and
approved by the Governor.
AN ACT to provide for the Payment and Ad
justment Of Claims.
Be IL enacted by the Governor and Leoislntir
| assembly of tie Territory of Eansds: