The true Democrat., 1856-09-09
NO. 48.
Letter of lion, John W. Whitfield.
 Washington, Aug. 4, 1856.
10 the people of Kansas Territory:

10 the people cf Kansas Territory:
 The long threatened act has been consum- mated by the reckless violence of the bLqck Ye- P''otGon party in the House of Representatives anu + Tn violation of the constitution and the law' nave been renaoved from my seat as your delegate upon the floor of Congress It is an act "ltnou9 parallel In the history of this coun- try, ana Is calculated to excite alarm in the mlhos ol all good men, But it moro especially concerns you, to whom it has denied the right of selecting your own delegate to Congress. and you will soon be called on to approve or con- demn the disfranchisement. If you are ready to become the supple slaves of mad and fana- tcal party you will approve it; but if you are the independent freemen suppose you to be, you will condemn the enormtv.
 By the constitution of the United States the House of Representatives is the exclusive judge oi the qualification of its own members. But ths power must be exercised under erishng laUs. In my case it has been exercised not only with out law, but Tn defiance of law. The House has trampled with violence upon all the prn- clples heretofore considered necessary to guard and protect the representative feature of our n- stitutons.
 l. In order that the contest of my right to the seat should have been legal one, I must have had competitor at the election It is conceded that Governor Reeder was not a can ddate. Therefore, he is an intruder, and had no more right to initiate and prosecute a con- test than any other citizen of the territory for whom vote might have been cast
 Z. to have made such contest as is con- templated by the law, the contestant should have claimed that he was entitled to my seat, Tn consequence of votes cast at the election at which was voted for. It is notorious that Governor Reeder sets up no such claim, but that all the claim to which he pretended was founded upon votes given at different time.
 D. As was sworn in as your delegate, with out any legal contest of my right, 1 had the right under the constitution and law, to remain your delegate during the t0lole Congress, unless had been guilty of some act which subjected me to reDl0uul.
 4. The House has appointed committee for political purposes, and this committee ha, gath cred togethera mass of hearsoy statements, that i are not proof, of transactions with which had no concern, and which have nothing to do with my election, and these hearsay statements have been used as eUi1eHce in my case, and made the preteXt for my removal.
 1 And thus, ill a most unparalleled manner, and ln Violation of the plain principles of right and justice, has the act of my eection from my seat been consummated Although my erpui- sion concerns you, the people of Kansas, more | , 1 of the United States; for the party who have 1 perpetrated the act consider it only as one in series of measures with which they threaten the peace and safety of the Union. You have l done nothing more than act pursuant to an ex- lstng law of Congress, which organized the territory and conferred upon you the sovereign right to mould your own institutions in your own way. Under this law you elected repre- sentatives to the territorial legislature, and they | in the exercise of an acknowledged power, pro- vlded, by a law of the territory, for the cleo ton of a delegate to gongresS At the time fixed by this law was elected without oppo- | sltlOn; yet, Tn defiance of this fact, and after was regularly admitted my seat, l have been ! removed-not really because l was not elected but because IL has become necessary to the con- summation of certain party and political ob- jtcts within the States, that the laws of Kan sas should be stricken down, and all the rights which have arisen under them should be de- stroyed, even to a denial of the right of repre- sentatHn. These are serious and startling mat ters, and It becomes you to meet them like men CONSCIOUS of your rights and prepared to assert them by the peaceful but powerful remedy of the ballot box
 This party was compelled to halt little il. its career of recklessness. There was one thing which even H could not do It could not legistate Gov. Recder into Congress, although it leg'slated me out. Yet there were eighty eight ol those who compose the majority of the House who did vote that he should be admit tea to the seat, III utter defiance of principle precedent and law. These men who thus voted-when it was conceded that Gov Reeder was not q candidate at any legal election, and ouly claimed his seat in consequence of votes ! cast at certain popular meetings, held soitbon the authority of any lalO-must have a terrible responsibility to answer for before the bar of the country. But l have now only to deal with results; and this result-the rejection of I Gov. Reeder because he was not elected at legal eiectlon-shOws that had no competitor; that he was in no condition to challenge my right; and that 1t was only by the employment of the mere force and violence of party that have lost my seat. If this action shall become precedent hereafter, it may be applied to tho States, and proHigate majority may deprive any district in the United States of the rig ght of representation. There never was more alarm lng and startling question presented to any peo- pie: And It will be proud day for the people ot Kansas when it shall be in their power to re- buke this outrage. Although they shall do so l on ther own account, yet they will do so no less on account of every congressional district ill the Union.
 l shall return immediately home, and fully explain these matters to you, so that you may act With full knowledge of the whole of them. | At the proper time new election will be or dered, at which 1 shall be again a candidate. because in my person this outrage has been offered to you. shall expect you to avenge It; and this, trust, Is not expecting too much at the hands of liberal and enlightened con- stltuency. Very respectfully,
 J. w. WHITFIELD.