Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-29

laws for their government. The
people OF that county with one voice
protested against the measure as n.
legal, unequal and unjust, and while
they did 30 in language sufficiently
strong to express their sense of their
lawful rights, they did it in terms re-
specttul and decorous towards His
Excellency. But the Governor. in.
stead OF giving to the unanimous
lopinion of the people of whole
county . respectful onsideratiop.
looked upon it as personally disre.
Ispecttul to himself, and INDUCED in
feelings of anger aud resentment at
the proceeding. He has been pleased,
however, 10 forgive ell those who
acted with mo upon that occasion,
and to single out the humble author
OF the preamble and resolutions
which were adopted, as the object of
his denunciation. have understood
that bis reason for this lenient for.
bearance towards the people is that
he considers that / forsooth, duped
them into the measure. I have the
pleasure of seeing here highly re-
speoted friend who was then citizen
OF Crawford county and presided az
the meeting, and know that no and
those who took part in the matter
spurn with indignant feelings the
imputstion that they are tho dupes
OF any man in the peblic expression
OF their political opinions. Az for
myself, | am conscious that / do not
deserve the high distinction which
his Excelienoy has conferred upon
me. have never claimed TO be tho
loader OF party or of community.
know that | do not possess tho abil-
ity of seducing the people, were /
dishonest enough to attempt to do
so, into an opposition of the Cover.
nor's measures, if thoy did not bo-
Heve that such measures ought 10 be
opposed. But this do avow; that L
am the unwsvering friend of the
peoples righta; that ! will contend
for those rights, with a voice, feeble
though it may be, yet as sincere az
ever uttered speech, whenever see
them invaded; that | will stand by
the constitution and laws of my coun.
try and give them my humble but
earnest support. whenever | SEQ
them enorosched upon, 1 care not
what high and mighty arm may DO
stretched out against them. IL is
my esrn.st desire to live in peace
with all men. i wish at oil times TO
support the constituted authorities
of the land in the proper exercise of
the power which has been delegated
to them. But aboye all, l wish to
see the supremacy OF the laws pre-
vail. To maintain this il my first
duty to my country, and though
Governors may frown, shall not DO
deferred from its performance. / be-
ieve no public station is too sacred
TO be scrutinized by the people.
These are my opinions and | shall
continue to act upon them. l have
no executive favors to ask. am
no worshiper of men. l have never
yet bent the knee to bsal. l cannot
acknowledge the superior claims of
any man in consequence of the brief
authority with which he may be in
vested, or court his friendship, what
ever may be his station, in references
to the fictitious circumstances with
which fortune has surrounded him.
Acting upon these principles, l shall
think Tor myself and fesrlessly ex-
press my opinions, caring not wheth-
or they may be received graciously
or give offence in high places, or
who may frown or who may smile at
the subject or the manner of expires.
sion, for
"I am not
SO young as to regard mems frowa or smile,
As loss or guetdOn Of glorious lot"
If any one supposes for an instant
that | esteem his grace and favor OF
sufficient consequence TO be gained
by the surrender of the smallest por-
ton of my independence as a man or
citizen, can only look upon such
an individual with feelings of unut-
terable soOrn.
So far as | am concerned, il is
natter of tho least unimaginable con-
sequence in what light my course in
life may be viewed by the dignita-
ries of the land. While my con-
science approves my acts | shall feel
content. But it is O subject worthy
of the serious consideration OF the
people, when the high ground is as
sumed, that q citizen shall not inves-
| tigate the propriety of important Of
fetal acts, and express his opinion
upon them, without being put under
the baa OF executive Indignation for
his independence.
| Ii very generally happens that the
com hitting of one great error in the
administration OF public affairs is
connected with or followed by an
other; while disorder and confusion
with their train of i'll consequences,
| are the necessary results from the
want OF qualifications in those placed
at the head of the government. How
has it been with our own Terrific
Iry2 Look at the glorious Belmont
bubble Where now is this wonder
of o days creation Swelled and
| bursted, covering with confusion and
dismay those whose very breath had
puffsd il into all the magnificenee OF
its ephemeral existence. And now
that the phantom has passed away
| aud We can look calmly upon the
scheme which raised it, uninfuenoed
by the jarring interests which it set
| afIoat what must rejecting and in.
telligent men think OF the measure
which made it the temporary seat OF
Government for the Territory, and
which was so promptly vetoed by
the poople2 | will not say of the
| Governor AS he has said of the peo-
pie of Crawford county, will not
say that he was cajoled and duped
by the proprietor OF the place; but
giving him full credit for his integri-
ty of purpose; it seems to me to have
been one OF the most shortsighted