Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-03-30

| equally as determined, though not 10 brut al
and ferocious. The fercest passions of hui
man nature, with all their dreadfa conse-
I quences, were visible on every hard. The
smoke of burning buildings blackeed the
air; fields Of grain were laid waste and DESC
late; women and children were driven starv-
ing and naked from their homes tt parish
on the deslate praires; and the deal bodies
of murdered men were strewn along jhe way
side. Chaos reigned supreme -paidemon-
ium had poured forth its demons anil crime,
in all Its most hideous forms, ran ampant
through the land.
Such was tina gloomy prospect tlat pre-
sented itself to the new Governor. A man
of less nerve would have looked upon it with
amazement and with dismay fed fbm the
scene, as did two of his predecessors, and
many others. But Gov. Geary was not the
man to be easily intimidated Hehad pass
ed already through many a fiery ordeal. He
took in at a glance the entire srgzation.
From this dismal chaos; from this eel OF
discord; from all this terrific and confused
mass of conflicting passions, he was expect
ed to produce order, peace and harmony.
He faltered not, however, but buckled on
his armor, and in good earnes applied him
self to the difficult task. And sc earnestly
and effectually did he devote himself to the
work, that as early as September 30th, he
was enabled truthfully to write to he Secrc :
tary Of State, saying: Peace nom reig11s IN
Kansas. Confidence iSgrddudlly Be restored.
Settlers are retar1,ilg to tbeir claims. Ctti-
ze1ps are resaDeil3g their ortlind1q pursuits,
and a general glad2ess oreUades tie conlnll,-
alty." He had arrested criminals, driven
brlgands from the roads, disarmed and dis
banded invading armies, and insured pro-
lection to all peaceable citizens!
But this state Of tranquility, thus effect
ed, was precisely the reverse of what the
proslaverMparty In Kansas and the admins
tratlonat Washington desired. Gov. Geary' S
course, instead of receiving their approval,
met their decided condemnation. 1t was
intended that the agitation and excitement
should continue until the Free State men
were either annihilated or driven from the
Territory, and the pro-slavery party could
have everything in their own hands, Hence
the Governor reports to Washington were
coldly received, and if answered at all, as
coldly answered There was no mistaking
the tenor and spirit of their communication.
In the meantime the leading rufians were
becoming more and more emboldened by the
OF the General Government. At the Lee
compton post-ofice, the Governors letters
and papers, both private and official, were
opened and their contents scrutiniZed The
few troops that had been left to guard his
person and official documents, were gradu-
ally removed by order of JEFF. Davis, then
Secretary Of War Pro-slavery murderers
whom he had caused to be arrested, were
liberated by order of Chief Justice Lecompte
and public meetings were held in which he
was denounced as an Abolitionist for refus-
ing to give his sanction and assistance to the
vile plots to force the Institution of slavery
npon an unwilling people. One villain, act
uated and aided by others less bold, was
toiled In an attempt to assassinate him on
has departure from the Legislative Han,
and almost in sight of the members there
assembled.
TO crown ALL the pro-slayery men Of all
parties, the great majority, however, being
old line Wings, mostly from the South, met
together in convention at Lecompton, and
organized the National Democratic Party. -
There was much discussion in regard to the
adoption Of this name, the leading men of
the convention declaring that they could not
swallow the word Z" Democrat having been
lifelong Whigs. But this objection was
overruled, by the argument that the name
would not change positions, while it would
assure them the support of the Washing
ton Democracy. The platform Of the
National Democratic Party, thus adopted,
is clearly expressed in the following unani-
nous resolution ofits Legislature.
WHEREAS, We believe that on the sue
cess OF our party depends the perpetuity of
the Union; therefore
BeitresolDed, By the House fRepresent-
atiyes, the Council concurring therein, that
it is the duty Of the pro-slavery party, the
Union loving men of Kansas Territory, to
know but one issue, slavery, and that any
party making or attempting to make any
other, Is, and should be held, as an ally of
abolition and disunion.
In carrying out this doctrine, all the Free
State Democrats were excluded from mem
bership with the National Democratic
party, not one of them being received into
fellowship or allowed to take part in itspro-
ceedings. This platform was indorsel by
the Democrats at Washington at that tine,
and was subsequently adopted and carried
out by the President to the full measure of
perfection. SO far as he had the power he
ostracised all Free State Democrats, no mat
ter how long or how faithfully they had
served the party.
The National Democratic Party being
thus organized, the next movement was to
commit Governor Geary to its policy, Ac-
cordingly, the Chairman of the Central Com
mittee called upon the Governor, with the
assurance that if he would connect himself
with the party he should be one of the two
United States Senators soon to be chosen.
The Chairman urged the matter with such
determined pertlnaeity that Governor Geary
ordered him out Of his Office, and declared
that if he should dare again approach him
with so vile an offer he would toss lim
through the window.
Soon after these proceedings Consttu-
ton, known as the 'Lecompton Consttu-
ton, was received in Kansas hy the ma
tional Democratic Party, direct from
Washington, where it had been carefully
and agreeably to the directions ae-
companying it, an attempt was made to
have it adopted by an improVised convex
ton and returned to Washington m
the shortest possible time, regardless
of the known wishes of the people. An act
Of the Legislature to this effect was in
passed, which was vetoed by
QofeIhoI 0cdIys III several reasons, the
most prominent of which were, that no pro-
vision was made for submitting the Constitu-
tion to the people for ratification, and that
he was satisfied that large majority of the
actual residents of the territory were decided
ly and strongly opposed TO the institution of
slavery, which the Constitution wasintended
to force upon them.
This having occurred after the election of
Buchanan, but before his inauguration,
GoYernnr Gearn addressed him lefters sta