The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-01-18
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
A Synopsis of its Leading Ideas and Sugges-

tlOus TtiatinS W tit CuuI iidoiC IuSti-
tutions, Insurance department, the
State fiscal agency and some other
minor topics are omitted for the want
of space:
To the Legislature
Since your last meeting, abundant
harvests have rewarded the tillers OF
the soil, and remunerative employ
ment been found at the hand of indus
try. The cultivated acreage of the
State mas been greatly increased, with
an average and an aggregate yield OF
crops equal TO the most favored agri-
cultural section of the country. The
clouds of donbt and uncertainty fol-
lowing the general business disaster
and loss of crops in previous years are
and economy are surely working an
emancipation from the bondage -of
public and private debt, so universally
assumed under the impulse of an un-
natural aud unsubstantial prosperity,
! following the late war, and, conli-
deniially believe, we are about TO en-
ter upon period OF permanent adj
vancement in all that goes 10 make
a State wealthy and its citizens con-
tented.
The year just closed has been
marked by political events Of deep in
terest to the State and Nation. In the
midst of rejoicing over the successful
rounding-up Of the first centennial
period of our National life, an election
has been had TO deter niue the policy
aud select the agents to administer the
Government in the immediate future.
This election has been surrounded by
circumstances, Influenced by acts, and
| its results left III coalition of doubt
and uncertainty, that appeals to every
element OF ambition and revolution in
the breast Of uupalriotic adventures,
10 such an extent as to excite alarm,if
not imperil The country.
The dividing line of parties in this
contest has been more nearly the same
in essence, as that drawn i'll the late
contest of arms between the defenders
of the Union and the supporters and
sympathizcrs in the rebellion, than
characterized any previous political
contest since the termination of that
| bloody conflict.
This condition of things was made
possible by Il magnanlmty without
reason, and an amnesty without Prec-
edcnt, by which we made haste to say
that treason was not q crime to be re-
nembered, and traitors, not men to be
feared in power. These acts were
sweet to the taste of mercy and con-
soling TO the spirit of forgivness. blu,
| they have proved ashes in the mouth
of wisdom and bitterness 10 the soul
of justice.
BY this mistaken action, and uurea-
sonable confidence, men who but a
few years ago were i'll open-armed re-
beliion against the constituted author
tiles of our Government, in a war
without historic parallel in extent and
cruelty, have found their way back in
TO the halls of legislation, and posi-
tons of exalted executive and Judicial
trust in the National aud State Gov
ernmcntS.
If these men, when thus reinstated,
had by their acts vindicated our conf
dencc in their returning loyalty and
love of country, it would have been a
sublime contamination, for which the
Nations Of the earth have sighed in
vain cluCC NsO'ti WIZ
organized, But such consummation
was not possible, because human ma
turc intervenes TO prevent conquered
foe from becoming trusted friend.
The leaders of that great rebellion
may bow in manly submission to the
results of war in which they lost
everything, but they can never cease
to cherish the "lost cause as a Jewel
of their pride. and the secret hope OF
their Inner hearts; nor would we re-
spect them more il they could. The
sooner we admit this great funda-
mental fact, the sooner shall we lift
our Governments above the perils of
rebellion and revolution, by Keeping
its control in the hands ofthose whose
love for its priceless blessings is para
mount to the love of life itself.
In this, as in all previous conflicts
involving the questions of human
rights, human equality and free gov
ernment, Kansas stands before the
world in the same heroic attitude it
has ever maintained. In its maiorities
on National and State tickets, and in
the almost complete political unanim-
ity of your body, it has -reafiirmed its
devotion to the right, and renewed its
pledge to sister States and the world
that it will not be guilty of treason TO
the future by forgetting the bloody
record of treason in the past.
The political situation of our couli-
try at this time, must excite u feeling
of deep concern in the mind of every
thoughtful citizen. 1t is too painfully
evident that the elements of disc ord
and dissolution arc more prevalent
and active now than following The
first election of Abraham Lincoln
But we have an anchorage for hope
now that did not exist then. The
Presidential chair is filed by that
General and Statesmen whose skill
and valor led us to victory in war and
whose firmness and wisdom have so
successfully guided us in peace. The
people look to him contidentiaIly for a
prunence, firmuess and justice which
will carry the country safely through
a change of administration. surround
ed even as it is, by hitherto unthought
of difficulties. Now, too, the leaders
of the rebellion, who were tempted in
to the war by the deceptive promises
of northern political allies, TO be for
saken by them when the smoke of bat
tie came, are not disposed to follow |
the same leaders into another war, to |
be again left to carry its burdens and |
suffer it's losses, while their allies are |
profiting by the struggle in security |
at home. The instigators of new re-
bellion are not the brave actors in the |
old rebellion.
More than this, the Republican par
ty does not desire, nor will it attempt |
to enforce anything inconsistent with
the will of the people and the inter-
ests of the Government. 1t will act |
from patriotic, not partisan motives,
and do its duty in the future as in the
past; and in this action, whether it
leads us along the quiet paths of peace
Or the rugged road of war, it will have
the support of the commonwealth of
Kansas.
1t is not desired by the people of
Kansas that the party of its choice be
sept in possession of the General Gov
,rnment by unfair or unlawful means;
1t the same time it is the unquestioned
sense of public Judgment and patriot
SIN that not one step be conceded in
or yielded to the intimi-
lating talk of force. They fervently
pray that the discordant elements of
war may not again curse our land;
)ut, if need be TO protect and defend
he sacred earnings of the last great
struggle, another like it, or greater, is
they will be found ready
low as then to do their duty.
STATE FINANCES AND CREDIT.
The reports of the State officers will
De found very clear and satisfactory to
'ou. They show the financial condi-