M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-10-02
&loIrtual


Kansas Committee with President
PieTce--OpiniOns Ofthe President, &c.
A number of"Kansas shrekers," for po-
litical Bmcombe purposes, visited the Pres
ident lately, and had conversation with
him respecting Kansas affairs. BY their
own statement, he expressed patriotic sen.
timents, which will receive the concurrence
OF every reasonable man, and 1t is matter
of establishment that they promulgate ac-
counts of their own discontinue. Read
the following -: -..... .. .. ...
To The National Kansas COMMITTEE =: The
undersigned, in obedience to your instruc-
tions, waited on President Pierce, on the
3Oth August, and prayed his intcrposition
aganst the threatened slave oligarchy of
Kansas. The following is summary ofre-
suits
VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT.
The opinions expressed by the Executive
are substantially as follows ...."
awhile government has been exhausting
its constitutional powers, (Which are limit.
ed) TO maintain order, Kansas Aid Socie.
= ties have been actively stirring up rebellion.
a factious spirit among the people of Kan
sas, respecting institutions which they need
not have concerned themselves about, and
which would have all come right in time,
has originated the troubles From the ma
ture, habits and education Of the border men
it was natural to find them excited by such
an agitation. At this crisis, the North in
stead of sending in armed men, who went
about boasting of their ability to protect
themselves, should have sent in order-loving
and aw-abding citizens should have sent
in peace-seekng men, who would have pro-
noted concord by moral agcncies-by BIZ
bes, rather than by Sharpe's rifles. Such
course would have strengthened the hands
of the President, instead Of tying them up
thinh they had been. The sunerings of the
da tlan'ers are therefore Of their own seeking,
!. Harry, vitimate fruits Of that gunpowder BIZ
noble brow ing which they and their support
oil true john .,bh66nrPonnmjvocated. 6nron III Each side
lie nr'daonist qPto blame. GGomatory appeals
Leonard Holated both North 'd1p ooG.n, El,l uiu
urer. ports, false or exaggerate s'pC8r9gU%l,nG Sy
heated partsans to stir up sectional stA,lic,.
If each party would get rid of hundred OF
their designing and restless leaders, agita-
ton would cease, and speedy end be put
to the disorders.
The interpositon OF the Executive is
claimed by both sides, each party urging
against the other exactly the same charge.
At this distance from the scene of strife the
President cannot determine between them.
His action must be guided by official reports
General Smith communicates very differ
ent condition of things from the eXaggera-
ted statements which have gone abroad
No apprehensions of an armed invasion need
. be entertained. But, should it happen, the
is whole power of the Government will be ex-
Oh ,erted 10 repel it, come from uhGtcucr source
{! may. The army in Kansas is not there
loco prevent or correct outrages unless they
arouAnount to invasion or Instruction. The
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 applied to the wrong
quarter. Heshoud 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 10 be able to find his way back -
The courts are open to all classes of citizens
without distinction. No authentic informa-
ton has ever reached the Executive of an
individual who has ever sought a redress of
wrongs at the hands of the civil power in
Kansas, and failed to obtain it. Ifone such
case had been presented, he would at once
have removed the offending official. If the
majority of the people in Kansas had want
ed peace and quiet, they could have had it.
The way to get it was for the settlers
among themselves to frown down all agita-
tion growing out of differences of opinion as
to local institutions. The Executive had
always felt solicitous about the territory,
and had exerted his constitutional powers
to their full extent to preserve order. The
affair at Lawrence Lad given him great
anxiety, and he at that time telegraphed
both to Col. Sumner and Gov. Shannon,
besides sending special messenger. (Here
the President produced copies of his tele-
graphic dispatches, which, we believe, were
made public at the time.) The outrages
at Lawrence were not done bv authority ~
The Pres't admits that mistakes have been
made, as is evident by his removol of Shan !
non. But animpurtial has gone there,
wbowill see justice done to both parties
If he should catch either party in acts of Vi |
olence ,athey shall be hung up on the spot.
The Civil Power OF THE TERRITORY
MUST BE MAINTAINED S ..- .r.a |