Washington telegraph., 1856-02-27
PRESIDENTS
SPEC MESS GE.


The subjoined message from the Presi-
dent Of the Z. States. in relation to the Kan
.as question. was transmitted to Congress on
THURSDAY. the Oath ult:
To the Senate anil .--,. l-
House of representatives
Circumstances have occurred to disturb
the course of governmental organization in
the Territory of Kansas. and produce there
condition of things which renders it in-
cumbent on me to call your attention to the
subject, and urgently to recommend the
adoption by you of such measures Of legis-
latiOa as the grave exigencies of the case
appear to require y
A brief exposition of the circumstances
referred to, and of their causes, will be
necessary to the full understanding of the
recommendations which it is proposed to
submit
The act to organize the Territories of
Nebraska aud Kansas was manifestation of
the legislative opinion of Congress on two
great pJIuis OI constitutional construction !:
one. thai Gle issIg lltson of the boundaries
VI HSr t--s- pro- is-ttt abf pD-
iIj!cdi organ z1-ioI ana adm EIStEation "a i
TeTIlsyEy, are measures xhsch ot rIsui fall
within the powers oi the general govern
meut; and the other, that the inhabitants of
any such Territory considered as an incioa;e
State. are entitled. In the exercise of self
government, To determine for themselves
what snail be their own domestic in-titu-
ha
the laws duly enacted by Congress und-r it.
and to the power OF the existing States 10
decide according to the provisions and prin-
clples Of the constitution, at what time the
Territory shall be received As State into
the Union Such are the great political
rights which are solemnly declared and af-
hrmed by that act.
Based upon this theory, the act of Con-
gress defined for each Territory the outlines
Of Ofrepubliean government. distributing pub
lie authority among lawfully created agents
executive Judicial aud Legislative be
appointed either by the general government
or by the territory The legislative func-
tons were entrusted to council and house
of representatives duly elected and empow-
cred to enact all the locaI laws which they
might deem essential to their prosperity,
happiness aud good government Acting
In the same spirit. Congress also defined the
persons vino were il the FIRST instance 70 be
Considered as the people of eaea Territory !;
enaetIng that every free white male Iuhabi
taut Of the same above the age OF twenty
one yeaA, being an actual resident thereof
and possessing the qualifications hereafter
described, should be entitled to vote at the
hrst election, and be eligible to any office
within the Territory but that the quali6ca-
tons Of voters and holding Office at all sub
sequent elections, should be such as might
Be prescribed by the legislative assembly !:
Provided, however. that the right of suf-
frage and of holding Office should be exer-
clsed only By citizens of the United States,
and those who should have declared on oath
Their intention to become such, and have ta-
Aen an oath to support the Constitution of
the United States and the provisions of the
act: And provided. further, that no officer.
soldier. seaman or marine, or other person
IN the army or navy of the United States,
OF attached to troops in their service, should
De allowed to vote or hol1 Office in either
Territory by reason of being on service
therein.
Such Of the public officers of the Terrific
ties as. by the provisions of the act. were to
aeapPOinted by the general government. in
GLIDING the Governors. were appointed and
commissioned in due season the law hav-
ing been enacted on the 3Oth of May, 1854,
and the commission of the Governor of Ne
oraska being dated on the I'd day of August
rs s9i, and of the Territory of Kansas on the
Zsth day of June. 1854
AnOlg the duties imposed by the act on
tne Governors was that of directing and su-
perntending the political organization Of
'as respective Territories The Governor
0l hansas was required to cause a census
W enumeration of the inhabitants and quail
iasd voters of the several counties and dis
lric's of the Territory to be taken by suct
persons and in such mode as be might desig
nate and appoint, to appoint and direct the
aas and places of holding the frst slec.
"0ns. and the manner Of condusting them,