The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-03-20

in San francisco, he was Chairman OF the
Board of Health, aud assisted in the or
ganizatiou of Masonic and Odd Fellows
| Lodges, and was in fact instrumental in
esta bIishing comfortable hospitals for the
sick, and was connected with every be-
uevoleut and charitable institution of the
place. He signalized himself by his cour-
age and intrepidity in arresting the pro
gress of the great fires, and by the prompt
ness with which he answered the cali
of the authorities of that city, rendered
efficient aid 10 suppressing the squatter
riots at Sacramento.
In the year 1S49, when Col. Geary was
resident of California, convention was
formed to frame State Constitution, and
some of our reader still remember the in
tense anxiety and excitement which pre-
vailed throughout the country regarding
the result of its proceedings. The pro-
slavery Democrats of that time were de.
termined that California should only be
admitted into the Union as slave State,
and for the sole purpose of exerting their
influence in that behalf, many removed
from the Southern States to that distant
region. The plan was well conceived,
and intended at all hazards to be accom-
plished, to insert the slavery clause into
the Constitution, and forward il with hot
haste to Washington for adoption without
presenting it to the people for ratification.
Col. Geary was thoroughly acquainted
with the programme, and resolved that
the proposed measures should not be ef-
fected. He accordingly took strong
grounds against them, and used all his
influence, which was then equal, at least
to that of any man in the territory, first
to have omitted the clause legalizing sla-
very, and secondly to prevent the Con-
stitution, when adopted by the Convention
from being sent to Congress until after 1t
should be submitted to a vote of the peo-
ple and had received their approval. No
man could have labored more earnestly
} aud successfully than. he did to effect
!. these two AFFECTS, both Of which, after a
| most terrible struggle, were accomplished
! and California was received, free from the
stain of Slavery,into the Union of States
/
been for the active part taken by Colonel
Geary against the pro-slavery party then
in California, this result might. not have
been accomplished.
Private affairs of great importance re.
: quired his presence in Pennsylvania, Col
Geary left San Francisco in February,
1852, and repaired to his farm in West
moreland county, where he remained until
again called into active public life, through
his appointment, by President Pierce, as
: Governor of Kansas Territory, which
= appointment, without the usual reference
to committee, was confirmed by unani-
nous vote Of the Senate.
He received notice of his appointment
in July, 1856, and having delayed only
long enough to receive his instructions
and make the necessary arrangements, he
proceeded to Kansas, reaching Fort LeaV
enworth on the 9th ofSepteuber following
| No pen can adequately describe the
: terrible condition of the territory at the
5 time of his arrival The scenes he had
witnessed IN California were being re-eu-
, acted, with horrors greatly Intensified
Civil war was raging with more the fend
ish ferocity and all on account Of sld-
: very. Men were focking from all parts
of the South, of desperate character, with
passions infaued to the highest pitch, and
with the express and avowed purpose of
making Kansas a Stare State by any
means, however tair or foul! And these
again were resisted by actual settlers and
J new comers from the free States, equally
as determined though net IS brutal and fe-
rocious. The 6ercest passions of human
} nature, with all their dreadful conse
quences, were visible on every hand. The
smoke of burning buildings blackened the
air; fields of grain were laid waste and
desolate women and children were driven
; starving and naked from their homes to
perish on the desolate prairies and the
: dead bodies of murdered men were strewn
along the wayside. Chaos reigued su-
preme-pardenOnium had poured forth
its demons-and crime, in all its most
r hideous forms, ran rampant through the
5 land
a Such was the gloomy prospect that pre-
r seuted itself to the new Governor. a man
5 of less nerve would have looked upon it
5 with amazement, and with dismay fed
! from the scene, as did two of his prede-
f cessors, and many others. But Governor
j Geary was not the man to be easily intim-
: idated. He had passed already through
], many fiery ordeal. He took in at a
I glance the entire situation From this
S dismal chaos from this bell of discord
!. from all this terrific and confused mass Of
conflicting passions, he was expected to
: produce order, peace and harmony. He
e faltered not, however, but 5uckled on hi: