In considering all these things, my fellow-citizens—and I have tried to
present my views and action touching them with entire frankness, and as
fully as is possible in a speech of this character—it should not be
forgotten that the Governor of an American State possesses no authority
that is not expressly vested in him by the laws. His duties and powers
are clearly defined and limited by law, and he has no more right to do
any act or exercise any authority not explicitly within the scope of the
laws than has any other citizen. Hundreds of men thoughtlessly say, when
something they think ought to be done is left undone, “If I were
Governor, I would do this and that,” when, if any one of them were
Governor, he would find that he had no legal right to do what he says he
would do. I have frequently, since assuming the duties of my present
office, found my authority thus restricted, and although this fact has
occasionally caused embarrassment and vexation, I know the limitations
placed on my official power are proper and just. This is a government of
laws, and not of men, and no interests, either of justice, morality, or
the public welfare, will be promoted by vesting any officer with
arbitrary powers or authority. If, therefore, any good citizen thinks
that I have on any occasion failed to do what he believes I should have
done, let him, before condemning me, ascertain whether I had any legal
authority to do it; whether I had not, in fact, done all that the laws
of Kansas authorize me to do; and whether, all things considered, it is
not always safer and wiser to follow Davy Crockett’s rule: “Be sure you
are right; then go ahead.” True courage is not illustrated by yielding
to public clamor; nor are right and justice exemplified by hasty and
ill-considered zeal for a good cause. The American faith in
“level-headedness” is not, after all, misplaced, and the public man who,
possessing the judicial quality of seeing both sides, or all sides, of
any question, does the safe and the just thing in dealing with it, can
afford to trust to the clear judgment and the honest instincts of the
American people for his vindication and approval.