"It has already been stated that these documents speak for themselves. They come from those who are ostensibly our guardians, and the guardians of our rights. They come from men who ought to be actuated by the strictest principles of honor, truth, virtue, integrity, and honesty, and whose high official position ought to elevate them above suspicion,--yet what are the results? "In relation to the Governor's Message, enough, perhaps, has already been said. . . "We had a right to look for a friend in our Governor, who would, at least, fairly represent us. Instead, we have had a most insidious foe, who, through misrepresentations, base insinuations, and falsehood, is seeking with all his power, privately as well as officially, not only to injure us before the Government, but as well to sap the very foundations of our civil and religious liberties; he is, in fact, in the furtherance of his unhallowed schemes, seeking to promote anarchy and rebellion, and dabbling in your blood. [Cries of 'hear, hear.'] Such, it would seem, were the Governor's feelings and intentions when he concocted his Message, and such his purposes when he read it before the Legislature. That document was not hastily written, as it shows upon its face that it had been well digested, and every word and sentence carefully weighed. . . . "That he is the most vindictive enemy we have, is shown by the statement of our representatives at Washington. "He is the only man, it would seem, who is industriously striving to sap the interests of our people, and to injure their reputation, and yet, as our Governor, he professes to feel a deep interest in our welfare, and to represent our wishes. "Let us, for a short time, investigate the results of his acts, should his purposes be successful, leaving the allegations of treason from our consideration. [It was contended that the Governor and Judges had committed _Treason against the Territory_.] "We have thought that we were living under a republican form of government, and had the right of franchise; that we had the privilege of voting for whom we pleased, and of thus saying whom we would have represent us; but it may be that we are laboring under a mistake, and that it is but a political illusion. We have likewise thought that if any one among us was accused of crimes, it was his privilege to be tried by a jury of his peers, among whom he had lived, who would undoubtedly be the best judges of his actions.