The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-12-10

necessity it has been done with the bes'
results, and my satisfaction in the attain
nent of such results by snch means is
greatly enhanced by the consideration,
that, through the wisdom and energy oi
he present Executive of kansls, and the
,ra lcnce, i'nness and vigilance of the
Military OF ;ers on duty there, tranquility
l,s been restored without one drop 0
'iooi having neen shed in its acco ,'li-h
n4nt by the forces of the United States.
Tie RESTORATION of the comparable
tranquility in tn, 1t Territory furnishes tie
naanS of observing calmly, and appr.-
.iating ut their just value, the even.s
silicn ;iave occurred there, and the dis
,'iSSipn< Of which the G. ,vern,nent of The
Territory has been the subject.
We perceive that controversy ceacera.
ins its fature dom .stic institutions WAS
i,evitahie; that 40 human prudence, n"
j'urm of i,'gisla ion. no wisdom on tn
,art of Congress, could have preveuteu
This.
IL is idle to suppose that the provisions
lh organic law were the cause OF agitation
TIE provisions were but the occasion.
the pretext Of an agitation, which was
inherent in the iatu T. of things. Con-
e ss legislaied upon the subject in sue
ernlS aS We're most conSonant with tn
,rinciple OF popular Sovereignty whici
nlsrlies our government. 1t could no
ave legisialed otherwise without doing
sio'ence TO another great principle of our
institutions, the indrstructible right o
equality Of the several States.
W, ,,rceire, also. that sectional inter-
ests and party passions, have been the
great impedineut to the sautary opera
ton of rhe organic principles adopted
lnd The chief ,auSe of the successive dis
iurbances in Kansas. Tue assumption
that, because in the organization of tlls
Territories of Nebraska and kauS;iS, Coi:-
sfess abstaiued from imposing restraints
lpon them 10 which certain other Terri
iories had been subject, therefore disor-
iers occurred in TIL .::::::ier Territory l.
emphatical'y contradicted by the fact that
:one nave occurred Iii iliv former. Taos,
disorders were not the consequence, III
Kansas, of the freedom of self-Sovern-
nent conceded 10 that Territory by Con
gr.ss, but of unjust interference on tn,
part of persons not inhabitants of tn,
Territory. Such interference, whereve'
It has exhibited itself. by acts of insur
dictionary character, or of obstruction t'
processes of law, has been repelIed o.
suppressed, by all the means which tht
Constitution and the laws place i'll TIL
lands vi the Executive.
In those parts of the United State
where by reason of the infiamed state ot
lie public mind, false rumors aud mis-
representations have the greatest curren.
y, il has been assumed that it was lii
iuty of the Executive not only to sn.
,rees lsurrectionary movements i'll kan
DDS, bul also ~ see the regularity OF loo"
elections II needs little argument
NOW that the President has no such pow
r. ALI government III the United STAT
'ests substantially upon popular +lecil"
The freedom al ELECTIONS is ,isbls to b.
impaired by the nirHsi"n of unlnwiu
votes. or the exclusion of lawful ones by
Improper inhu~ucrs. by violence or by
fraud. But the people OF tue Uuit-d
States are themselves the slt sufficient
guardians ui their own rights. and To sup
pose tunt they will not r-u-dy in due ~~s
sou any such lucidrnis at civil freedom Is
tu .uppus- ihrM incspAblr at self govern
m-n,. The Pr-.,d-mi OF the U. States
has not power To ini-rpoxs IN elections. l.
s.e TO their Freedom. to CANVASS th-i'
votes. or to pass upon their legality 10 ih.
Territories any more than ia the States
II hs had such power the government
mi ahi he r-Pubiican ~ form. bu, II woui'
b- u monarch. III tact: aud II n had un'
dertak-u il III the case Ot k ansas. b.
would have been justly SUBJECT I" thu
cha,x- Ut usurps,ion. aud OF violation {"
the d-sr-s, right. OF the people OF the
Uuiied States.
Unw,s- laws equally with Irregular
lies at elections. are, Ia periods Oi grss
.xrl,r,nrui, the occasIousl Incidents q
even the f,resi aud best political instiiu
lions But all experiences dem 'nstrai-'
that in = country hike ours. where ih- righ
of self con stItulIon xisis in the completes
form. the attempt To r-m-dy un~is- l-gis
iation by resort to revolution. is total,
out nf place; iuas,uuch as existing lrga
in.ir,uiiu,,s affords H'"re pr"mpI aud .fh
cacIous means tor the rrdtrss "f wrong
| confidently trust that now. ~h,:n tn
peaceful condition oi Kansas affords up
pottuni,, 10, calm r"a-c,io,i aud wise leg
islat,"n. either the l-gisiniIve assembly II
the T.rriiory. or Co"S,ess. will SEE tina
no act shall remain on It's statute bo"l
viola,iv- Of the provisions of the C"ns'i
turlen. or snbvursive of the great object
| tor which that was ordained and r>iah
iish-d. aud ~il take all necessary step
10 assure To its inhn bi,ants th- rr]"ymeh,
without obstruction or abridgsmrht. oi al
tn. constitutional rights. privileges ait
i,n,nuuIiips nf ciiz-ns OF the United Stat
MS contemplated ny the organic law of tn
| Territory.
Full information in relation to recan
events in this Territory will be found il
the documents communicated h-re~n
from ;he departments OF State end Wal
| | reter you To the report of the S-cr-