The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-09-10
From the N. Y. TINS, srp,- 81
I0torview ~ the KansAs Committee
with RrestAeas Pierce.
o the Naf;onai Yan,o, Comwietee /:

with PresiAeas Pierce.
/ To the National Kansas Commistss.
The undersigned, in obedience to your in
structions, waited on President Pierce on the
30th ult., and prayed his incorporation
against the threatened slave oligarchy inva-
SION Of Kansas. The following is . summa-
airy OF results:
VIEWS OF TIN PRESIDENT.
The opinions expressed by the Executive
are substantially AZ follows:
''While government has been exhausting
its constitutional power (Which is limited)
| to maintain order, Kansas aid societies have
been actively engaged in 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. ORR
! gnated the troubles. From the nature,
habits and education Of the border men, it
was natural to find them excited by such an
| agitation. At this crisis the north, instead
of sending in armed men, who went about
Boosting of their ability to protect them.
selves, should have sent in order-lovlng and
wabiding citizens: should have sent in
peace seeking men, who would have pro-
noted concord by moral agencies-by bibles
rather than by Sharp's rifles. Such course
would have strengthened the hands Of tho
President, instead Of tying them, as they
had cen. The suferings OF the settlers are,
therefore, Of their own seeking, and the le-
ultimate fruits of that gun-powder bible
preaching which they and their supporters at
doubtless to blame. Indammatory reports,
false or exaggerated, have been put forth by
heated partizans to stir up sectional strife.
/ oh Dlu - 30 81
hundred Of their designing and restless lead
ers, agitation would cease, and speedy
end be put to the disorders.
The interposition 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.
Ills action must be guided by official reports.
Gen. Smith communicates q very different
condition OF things from the exaggerated
statements which have gone abroad. No
apprehension Of an armed invasion need be
apprehendeJ. But, should it happen, the
whole power Of the government will be ex-
erted to repel it, come from whatever source
it may. The army in Kansas is not there to
prevent or correct outrages unless they
amount to invasion or instruction. The
civil power alone is competent to this. APP
plication should be made there. Gen. Smith
had no power to redress the wrongs Il Mr..
Strawn. He applied to the wrong quarter.
tie should have gone to the courts. As to
granting him an escort, Sen. Smith thought
II Mr.. Strawn WAS smart enough to find his
way safely to him without one, he ought to
be able to find his way back The courts
are open to oil classes Of citizens. without
distinction. No authentic information has
ever reached the Executive of an individual
who has sought a redress Of wrongs mt the
hands OF the civil power in Kansas, and
failed 20 obtain it. Ii one such case had
been presented, he would at once have re-
moved the offending official. II the major-
ty of the people in Kansas had wanted
peace and quiet, they could have had it.
The way to get it Was for the settlers among
themselves to frown down all agitation
growing out Of differences Of opini IN as to
local institutions. The Executive had al
ways felt solicitous about the territory, and
had exerted his constitutional powers to
their full extent to preserve order. The az
fair at Lawrence had given him great
anxiety, and he at that time telegraphed
both to Col. Sumner, and Gov. Shannon,
besides sending q special messenger. (Here
the President produced telegraphic dispatch.
es, which we believe we're made public III
the time.) The outrages at Lawrence were
not done by authority. The President ad.
mlts that mistakes have been made, rs is evil
dent by his removal OF Shannon. But m
impartial man has now gone there, who will
see justice done to both parties. II he
should catch either party in acts Of violence
they shall be hung upon the spot. THE CIV
IL POWERS OF THE TERRITORY MCsr ne MAIN
rAi>Epn'
OPINIONS or THE PRESIDENT.
/. That government had not the power tc
protect emigrants en- route for the territory
because Of the jurisdiction Of the States con.
sequently, outrages committed on the high.
ways OF the nation, can only be redressed b,
the courts Of the respective States on who's,
SOIL such outrages were committed.
2. That government has no power to pre-
vent or redress outrages committed With,
the territory, except through the civil arm
or by martial law.
8. That the military can only aid tn
civil power as posse comitatus; consequently
I. Government having provided a lega
mode Of redress for the settlers, and strength
ened II BY posse at all times available, tn
Fault is with the settlers where thew hny,
failed to get protection or redress; the,
have failed to get it either because the,
were not law abiding citizens, or becnus
they made application to the military, whicl
was the wrong source from whence to seek i,
5. That the mere posscssi IN Of arms b.
emigrants entering the territory is not prim;
.tacie evidence Of threatened invasion. an,
that the mere possession Of arms BY settler
within tho territory is not prima facie eyi
dence Of threatened insarrection; that m,
bearing OF arms is CONSTITUTIONAL pR,yr
Lkck, which distinguishes American citizens
and that ecen government itseifH has No RIGHT
under such circumstances, TO DisARx THEN.
REPLY or THE COMMITTEE.
MIR. PnssiDENr: During the eightee,
months or more that Executive power hn
been exerted, "a it is alleged, to preserv,
peace in Kansas, and vainly exer.ed, It woult
seem from admissions here made, the dis
orders OF THAI territory have grown onl,
worse. At this moment they arc more threat
ening than ever; peaceful solution Of it,
troubles seems still more uncertain than n
any period Of it's former history. The Pres
ident Hfhrms that he has exhausted all nj,
constitutional powers. And vet order ia moi
restored. Under such circumstances NAV !,
not be worth while TO inquire uheiher IN.
germ 81 the xrils is not to be found in IN,
Territorial ldtcs III emseiues?
President-This question do no. pro.