Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-29
WHOLE NO. 1882.

circumstances of the country the
prospect around and before us the
situation in which | lind myself
placed ; and the allusion made in
the toast with which you have this
day honored me TO my efforts in be-
half of the people, hope to be in
dulged in adverting for few minutes
to the affairs of the Territory.
Although my residence in the
country has not been of very
lengthy duration, still it has been
longer than that of great majority
of the present inhabitants, and has
given mo an opportunity To become
somewhat acquainted with the wants
and interests of the people, and the
evils under which they have long suf-
fered. | had seen this lovely coun-
try, fair and beautiful ami rich rs was
ever formed by the bountifuI hand of
Providence, grow up and flourish by
the energy and enterprise of the citi.
zens under the almost total neglect
of the government. Those whose
duty it was to foster and cherish our
infancy, either knew not the neoessi.
ties OF oar situation, or cared not to
provide for them. The territorial
governmen: OF Michigan looked upon
US as strangers and governed us as
mere colonial appendsge. All the
muniticent favors of the general gov
eminent 10 Michigan were expended
upon the Peninsula, while We in the
west, though under the forms and
some of the restraints OF law, were
lett without its substance, and Who'll.
ly destitute of an efficien. administers.
ton of justice. Those who had
watched tho progress of events; who
looked At the present circumstances,
the natural resources and future pros
poets of this country with feelings of
solicitude, hailed the formation of our
territorial government as O new era
in our history, from which we might
date our career of happiness and
prosperity. 1t was to be supposed
that when new government was to
be administered for tho people and
among the people. who had seen and
felt the effects of the old system, tina!
the united energy OF those in whose
hands power should be placed. would
be exerted to remedy the evils under
which the whole community was la
boring. La desiring to promote har
mony in all public exertions for the
public good, entertain feelings az
ardent and sincere as any, and was
as much disposed to contribute my
mite to effect so good an object. |
had cast my lot in this favored land,
and in it | expected to end my days.
had the same interest in common
with the people OF the country, the
same desire which every good citizen
feels WHO wishes to see life, liberty
and property, equal rights and equal
privileges fully protected by the gov
ernment under which he lives. 1t
was with feelings of the sincel est re-
greet that | saw at an early period,
that these desires and anticipations
were 10 be realized. So soon as |
was informed who was to be our
Governor, | was morally certain that
his administration would not be q
prosperous one. Although for years
the personal friend of the individual
selected, ono who had endeavored TO
sustain his patriotic exortions in
times that are past, and who felt
truly gratifed at his individual pros
perity, | knew, that he was greatly
deficient in those civil qualifications
so essentially necessary to fit man
for the high station to which no was
called. His military reputation
stood high, and he held q high and
honorable Office, permanent in it's
character, in that profession for
which his lite and character qualified
him better than any other. 1t was
with deep regret, that | saw him
throw aside the sword and the he'll
met, and put on the robes of civil
Office and this feeling. | know, was
participated by many of his truest
friends in the country.
II is a principle very generally i'm
bibsd by those accustomed TO militia
nv command, to require absolute ODE
dienoe to their will, not TO brook
control, even from the people, or
/ tolerate opposition to their measures.
Free discussion and free exercise of
opinion upon their official acts are
obnoxious to their feelings, and those
who exert this privilege, however
decorously, often incur their impla-
cable enmity. When Cesar returned
| 10 triumph to Rome after subduing
all Italy, and was about to seize upon
the treasure of the state, Metellus,
the tribune opposed the measure IS
being contrary to law. The con-
queror ooolly told him that arms and
law did not flourish together; and that
war would not bear much liberty OF
speech. The truth of this has been
often manifested 10 later periods. My
own observations have satisfied me
that even 10 our country whore free
dom is the boast of every citizen,
the profession of arms does not tend
TO cultivate in its followers q pro-
found knowledge OF the institutions
of our government, or TO impress
them with q proper feeling Of respect
for the laws of the land.
Entertaining the opinions which L
did relative to the selection that was
made for the Governor of the Terri>
tory, still it was my intention to give
his administration fair trial and so
long as his measures should be just,
cordially to support him and oppose
nothing that my conscience did not
tell me was wrong; and upon this
principle / have upon Oil occasions
continued to act. But whatever may
have been the feelings and intentions
of friends or enemies, supporters or
opponents, his public acts soon
showed too pl.inly that the fears of
the most prudent and thinking men
were to be fully reslizsi. Sosoo as
the census of the different counties
4 4 L s<krn