Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-02-20
THE KANSAS PROCLAMATION.

Whereas indications exist that public tran
guilty and the supremacy of the law in the
Territory of Kansas endangered by the rep
rehensible acts or purposes of persons, both
within and without the same, who propose to
direct and control its political organization by
force: 1t appearing that combinations have
been formed therein to resist the execution of
the territorial laws, and thus, in effect subvert
by violence all present constitutional and legal
authority. 1t also appearing that persons re-
siding without the Territory, but near its bor-
ders, contemplate armed Intervention in the
affairs thereof 1t also appearing that other
persons, inhabitants of remote States, are coll
lecting money, engaging men, and providing
arms for the same purpose: And it further
appearing that combin atoms within the Terri
tory are endeavoring, by the agency of ennis
saries and otherwise, to induce individual
States of the Union to intervene in the affairs
thereof in violation of the Constitution of the
United States
And whereas, all such plans for the deterni-
nation Of the future institutions of the terrific
ry, if carried into action from within the same,
will constitute the fact of insurrection; and if
from without, that Of invasive aggression, and
will in either case justify and require the for
chile interposition the whole power of the
General Government, as well to maintain the
laws OF the Territory as those of the Union.
Now, therefore, |, Franklin Pierce, Presi-
dent of the United States. do issue this my
proclamation to command all persons engaged
in unlawful combinations against the constitu-
+f,l r.
the United States TO disperse and retire peace
ably TO their respective abodes, and to warn
all such persons that any attempted insurrcc-
tion in said territory, or aggressive intrusion
into the same, will be resisted, not only by the
employment of the local militia, but also b,
that Of any available forces of the U. States,
TO the end of assuring immunity from vio-,
lence, and full protection to the persons, pro-
perty, and civil rights of all peaceful and law
abiding inhabitants Of the Territory.
If, in any part of the Union, the fury of fac
ton or fanaticism, infamed into disregard of
the great principles of popular sovereignty,
which, under the Constitution, are fundamen-
tai in the whole structure of our institutions
Is to bring on the country the dire calamity of
an arbitrament of arms in that territory, it
shall be between lawless violence on one side,
and conservative force on the othey welded
by legal authority of the general government.
L call on the citizens, both OF adjoining and
Of distant States to abstain from unauthoriz
ed intermeddling in the local concerns of the
territory, admonishing them that its organic
law is to be executed with impartial justice;
that all individual acts of illegal interference
will incur condign punishment; aud that any
endeavcr to intervene by organized force will
be firmly withstood.
invoke all good citizens to promote order
by rendering obedience to the law; to seek re-
incdy for temporary evils by peaceful means
to discountenance and repulse the counsels
and the instigations of agitators and disorran-
izerS; and to testify their attachment to their
country, their pride in its greatness their ap-
probation Of the blessings they enjoy, and
their determination that republican institu |
tions shall not fail in their hands, by cO-opera-
ting 70 uphold the majesty of the laws, and |
to vindcate the sanctity of the Constitution.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto set !
my hand, and caused the seal of the United |
States to be affixed to these presents.
Done at the City Of Washington, the elev-
enth day of February, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
[sEALl and fifty-six, and of the Independence
Of the United States the eightieth.
FRANKLIS PIERCE.
By the President
W. l.. MARCY, Secretary of State.