The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-11-05
Important Siare Pnner.
OFFIcE or SECT. or STATE,l
WASHINGTON, ID. C.. Oct. 1856.

SIH;-t our iettcr OF the uate August 5Hhi I
to the President las been referred by |
him to this department with Instructions to re-
ply as loRsws. The President regrets that YOU
should 'hass been receiving letters, memorials
and afiidayits from former citizens of Iowa in
Kansas for whole year alledging that they are
not protected by the United States officers in
the enjoyment of their liberty and property
That your ExcelleDcy should be subjected to
such an annoyance is the more painful when
we consider thot YOU have no power to grant
redress. 1865
The state of affairs in Kansas is to be regret
ted deeply by all American citizens. The Pres
ident is not less sensitive than you are as to the
rights of the citizens Of Kansas. His power
however, isonly Executive and that whichhe is
sworn to execute. 1t therefore becomes his
duty to see that the laws are faithfully execQ.
tod. lie has no power to disregard amend or
set aside laws, as unjust or UNCONSTITUTIONAL;
for to do so would be to invest him with the
law making power, TO make him an absolute
and irresponsible power-to make him not the
President of Republic; but the absolute Mon
arch Of the country, position to which the
President does not aspire.
The President hitherto has bccn and now is
using all the means in his power to suppress out
RACES in Kansas upon private rights and to sus-
tain and enforce law and order. The difficult
ties in Kansas have mainly arisen from spirit
of rebellion against the constituted authorities,
and determination to resist all authority and
all law which by its general dissemination has
subverted civil government and rendered the
law powerless and by destroying the power of
the law has opened general field for rapine,
murder and the whole catalogue Of cimcs to be
committed with impunity and to so unrcdresscd.
The President has taken every effective mca-
ure to secure to the citizens Of Kansas domes-
tic tranquility and security against foreign ag-
grcssion. The suppression of insurrectionary
movements is within his power, but he cannot,
and will not attempt to control traitors to their
country He will protect with the National
arm all who are disposed to rally around the
standard Of the law and to ohsy its behcsts.---
The President, conscious of having performed
his whole duty, is at loss to know by what au-
thority your Excellcncy claims to arTaign him
or call upon him for explanation.
Assuming that the general government has
failed to perform its duty, you assert 'that it is
manifestly the right of each Of the States to a.
dopt measures to protcctits former citizcus.'-
You demand again and again protection, but
conclude with what scoms to be TIE burden oI
all your griCfs-not demand for protection to
citizens in Kansas, but demand that the mill
tary force on the line Of emigration be dispersed
The President cannot gratify you in this matter
He will not permit armed inyasions from Mis-
souri, or Iowa or any other source. Peaceful
emigration he never DOES anl never will inter
rupt.
The President is not disposed to accept t.
the style of your address when you say to hin
''as the EcsctttiUs Of Lova IIemanl, for her cti-
zens in Kansas protection in the enjoyment o
their property, their liberty end their politca
rights" but would suggest to your oXcelleHcy
that such language implies right to enforce o,
bedienec and the power to commpel it. Nci
thcr Of theoc arc entrusted to your Excellency
and the President therefore parlops to YOU
good breeding. .s.
, In conclusion you propose the following:-
| lin the event Of non compliance in my view
case has clearly have arisen within the principl
laid down by Mr. Madison in the Virginia re5o
lutions of1798, when it will be the duty Of tn
States to interfere to arrest the progress Of tn
evils in that territory"
1t is not strange that Governor with tn
limited powers, as are conceded by the Consti
tuition Of the U. S. and conferred by the Consti
+ tuition oflowa upon you, should over estimate
: himself The doctrine that the Executive {
:. Iowa can protect her citizens beyond its border
or that he has any authority beyond his Stat
T is an absurdity.
: The Constitution defines the rights of all Gil
o liens ofIowa going to Kansas or elsewhere
They ycannot carry there the laws or the protet
/
!. State can carry his slaves and hold them ther
o When he goes to Kansas, the constitution gual
antees to him the protection Of the laws of Kar
G sas and all the rights which the citizens thai
!, enjoy Art. 4. Sec. 2. Cons't Y, $. .
n The President believing that a little refct
ton will convince your cxcellency that your j.
= rsdictien Of the citizens of Iowa, is confined
Il the limits of your own State, still feels solic
,t tous, lest your excellency become excited an
% attempt somc QuixotiG redress, for the real <
y hnced wrongs of citizens of Iowa in Kansa
~ and invites your attention to this clause in IL
" Constitution. Art !, Sec. 10. "No State sha
nl without the consent of Congress, lay any du
Of Tonnage, keep troops or ships of war, in tin
u of peace enter into any agreement or compa
re with,another State or with foreign power,
ID engage in aoar Unless actu lily invaded, or in SUI
" imminent danger as will not admit ofdelay."
" Under this restriction of the constitution, Il
at President hopes that you will not undertake al
rash Or illeonsidered enterprise Of war-li
OF character without the limits of yOurown Stai
u but that you will lend the influence Of your c
,e ample and your counsel to maintain law al
re orderin accordance with the constitution, al
b, that you will become an efficient aid to him
ie faithfully dscharging the sworn duties of
& Fofficc.u NTH high consideration, ssat
to- .a5.a remain your Obd't Soryt, arr
4. "A al 81. AZ WM. L. MARCY, Sec of State.
D. ToJAs. w. GRIMES, Governor Of Iowa.
as1 :.