Year: 1859

and House Of Representatives


We have convened under the Organic Act
and Laws of the Territory to Consult for
the public good, and to fulfil faithfully and
honorably che important trusts confded to
our care.


Nature has provided, and we have cho-
sen country not only beautiful to look up
on, but overfowing in all that is required to
make happy and prosperous people-she
has left nothing wanting to bring forth, and
into the Union, another State, rich, happy
and progressive as any of the Sisterhood,
varied as they are in soil, climate and char
acter of their people; but peace must be
courted, industry rewarded, due observ-
ance of law enforced by public opinion, as
we'll as by the chosen authorities, else the
blessings which nature has bestowed, will
be lost to ourselves and our posterity.


Where the freedom of the press, of speech
and of conscience, is unquestioned, difference
of opinion must necessarily exist. When
that freedom, unchecked by honest judg-
ment and just desires, is permitted to run
riot, violate laws and constitutions, it be-
comes a curse rather than a blessing to the
people.


Written constitutions and written laws
are based upon the virtue and intelligence
of those from whom they emanate, and are
daguerreotype of the mind which consti-
tutes the government. The future will
know US by our laws, for upon them our
character, as people, must be indelbly
stamped.


To the patriotic lover af the Union, it is
a just cause of alarm AMI deep regret to
witness, in various parts of the country, a
growing disposition to overawe the voter.
corrupt the ballot-box. and to secure power
by fraud and disobedience to the plainest
letter of the law, and the dictates of hon
esty. Against all such practices, the sound
conservative men of the nation should set
their faces, before the increasing evil attains
a magnitude beyond their control, and the
governing power falls into the hands of
those, unprincipled and Vicious, cast up as
fit representatives of such morality. Pow
er, by such means, is dearly bought. The
successful party would have been better
served by defeat. Success might be ruin,
when defeat would be preservation.


To the victors may properly belong the
spoIls; but they are the spoils and patron
age given to power for the public veal and
public necessity. But when the majority mis-
takes the spoils of official station, regulated by
law, for the spoilation of the rights and
property of the minority, our vaunted free
dom and business of government become
the objects of ridicule, and furnish the strong
est arguments against our governmental pol
icy. No one has reason, nor right to COM
plain of the successful party distributing
the posts of favor among its political friends;
but there the power OF the law ends; all
beyond that is criminal and the individual
amensble to the laws.


As the subject of forming State Con-
stitution, and asking admission into the
Union has been extensively agitated, it might
be expected that / should allude to it in this
place In doing so, shall speak of ir on
ly in practical sense-it has no necessary
political connection. The Territorial con-
dition is certainly not desirable for large
and wealthy community-it is transition
state from youth to manbood-from weak
ness to strength. It is question, with the
people of Kansas, whether they are prepared
to assume the weighty responsibilities of
State Government. Personal ambition
should not be permitted to step in between
them and their true interests. The ques-
ton should be discussed in all its bearings,
and brought to a decision favorable to the
interests of the whole people. Population
has much to do with the question, 1t is true;
but to the people of Kansas, who have the
expense of Government to pay out of their
own pockets, their ability to do SO is of
deep interest to them, and should not be
overlooked.


Congress has been liberal to many of the
Territories but there is much yet to be
done for Kansas in the way of approPria-
tons, to place her upon an equal footing
with many that have preceded. From her
disturbed condition for the past few years,
the appropriations which she has received
have not been as advantageously disposed
as they would have been. But the people
of Kansas are not alone to blame. There
were those outside her limits. and even IN
the Halls of Congress, who deserved good
lv share Agitation from without, infam-
ing the emigrant on his way hither, was cal
culated to continue, if not increase the ex-
element within the Territory.


Railroads from the East. already approach
ing our very border, and pointing their way
through the heart of our Territory, are about
to bring into our midst both population and
wealth, in their passage onward to the
shores of the Paci6c-to return with rich
cargoes of the mineral wealth of the noun
tains and the products of Asiatic industry
will make Kansas the great thoroughfare
of the States. Lying in the geographical
center of the Union, the hope may be en-
tertained that Kansas may one day become
Its Concentrating point for population. wealth
and influence.


I would most respectfully call your at
tention to that portion of the Territory ly-
ing in the region ofthe recent Gold discov-
cries. A large number of our own citizens.
and emigTants from the States, have already
located there, and from the best and lats<(
information that has been received from the
New Eldorado. very extensive immigra-'
uon must be expected during the coming
season. The County of Arrapahoe already
established and ORGANIZED bv my predeces-