The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-09-16
President Pierce on the Outrages In Kansas.-
Interview with the Kansas Committee.

To the National Kansas CommiHee:
The undersigned, in obedience to your in
structions, waited on President Pierce on the
3Oth ult and prayed his interposition against
the threatened slave oligarehic invasion OF
Kansas. The following is a sum mary of re-
suits:
VIEWS OF THE PRES IDENT
The opinions expressed by the executive
are substantially as follows:
awhile Government has been exhausting
its constitutional powers (which are limited)
to maintain order, Kansas Aid Societies have
been actively stirring up rebellion. A facti-
Gus spirit among tho people of Kansas respect
ing institutions which they need not have
concerned themselves about, and which would
have all come right in time, originated the
troubles. From the nature, habits and edu-
cation of the border-men, it was natural to
find them excited by such an agitation. AT
this crisis, the North, instead of sending in
armed men, who went about boasting of their
ability to protect themselves, should have
sent in order-loving and law-abiding citizens;
should have sent in peace-seeking men, who
would have promoted concord by moral agen-
cies-by Bibles rather than by Sharpe's rifles.
Such course would have strengthened the
hands of the President instead of tying them,
as they had been. The sufferngs of the set
tiers are therefore of their own seeking, and
the legitimate fruits of that gunpowder-bible-
preaching which they and their supporters at
the North have advocated. Each side is
doubtless to blame. Inhammatory appeals
are circulated both South and North, and re-
ports, false or exaggerated, put forth by heat
ed partizans to stir up sectional strife. If
each party would only get rid of about hun
dred of their designing and restless leaders,
agitation would cease, and speedy end be
put TO the disorders.
"The intcrposition of theExecutive is claim
ed by both sides, each party urging against
the other exactly the same charges. At his
distance from the sceae of strife, the Presi-
dent cannot determine between them. His
action must be guided by official reports
General Smith communicates a very different
condition of things from the exaggerated
statements which have gone abroad. No APP
prehension of an armed invasion need be en-
tertained. But, should it happen, the whole
power of tho government will be exerted to
repel it, come from whatever source it may
The army in Kansas is not there to prevent
or correct outrages unless they amount to in
vasion or insurection. The civil power alone
is competent to this. Application should be
made there. Gen. Smith had no power to
redress the wrongs of Mr. Strawn. He ap-
piled to the wrong quarter. He should have
gone to the courts. AS to granting him an
escort, 'Gen. Smith thought if Mr.. Strawn
was smart enough to find his way safely to
him without one he ought to be able to find
his way back The courts are open to all
classes of citizens without distinction. No
authentic information has ever reached the
Executive of any individual who has sought
a redress of wrongs at the hands of the civil
power in Kansas, and failed TO obtain it. If
one such case had been presented, he wonld
at once have removed the offending official.
If the majority of the people in Kansas had
wanted peace and quiet, they could have it.
The way to get it was for the settlers among
themselves to frown down all agitation grow
ing out of differences of opinion as to local
institutions. The Executive had always felt
solictous about the Territory, and had exert
ed his constitutional powers to their full ex
tent to preserve order. The affair at Law
renee had given him great anxiety, and he at
tudJ tliic tSleBidPhSu poeh w WI. Cuh4tSi
rnd Gov. Shannon, besides sending special
messenger. (Here the President produced
copies of his teegraphic dispatches, which,
we believe, were made public at the time.)
The outrages at Lawrence were not done by
authority The President admits that mis-
takes have been made, as is evident by his
removal of Shannon. But an impartial man
has now gone there, who will see justice done
to both parties. If he should catch either
party in acts of violence, they shall be hung
upon the spot. The civil posoer ofthe Ter
ritory must be mointainedP
OPINIONS OF THE PRESIDENT.
1. That Government has not the power to
protect emigrants en- route for tie Territory, |
because of the jurisdiction of the States; con-
sequently, outrages committed on the high |
ways of the nation can only be redrcssed by |
the Courts Of the respective States on whose
soil such outrages were committed.
2. That Government has no power to pre-
vent or redress outrages committed within tho |
Territory, except through the civil arm, or
by martial law.
3. That the military can only aid the civil |
power as posse comtatus; consequently,
4. Government having provided legal
mode of redress for the settlers, and strength
ened il by posse at all times available, the
fault is with the settlers where they have fail
ed to get protection or redress; they have
failed to get il either because they were not
law-abiding citizens, or because they made