Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-21
PROCLAMATION by the President of
the United States.

Whereas indications exist that public tran
quillity and the supremacy Of law in the terri
tory OF Kansas are endangered by the reprehen-
sible 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 form
ed therein to resist the execution of the terrific
rial laws, and thus in eject, subvert by violence
all present constltu tioual and legal authority
1t also appearing that persons residing without
the Territory, but near its borders, contemplate
armed Intervention in the affairs thereof: 1t
also appearing that other persons, inhabitants
of remote States, are collecting money, engag-
ing men, and providing arms for the same pur-
pose And it further appearing that combina-
lions within the Territory, are endeavoring, by
the agency of emissares and otherwise, to in
duce individual States Of the Union to inter-
vene in the affairs thereof, in violation of the
Constitution of the United States
And whereas all such plans for the determine
alton of the future institutions of the Territory,
if carried into action from within the same,
will constitute the fact Of Instruction, if from
without, that of invasive aggression, and will,
in either case Justify and require the forcible
interposition of the whole power of the general
government, as we'll to maintain the laws of the
Territory as those of the Union.
Now, therefore, |, Franklin Pierce, President
of the United States. do issue this my procla-
nation to command all persons engaged in I'M
lawful combinations against the constituted au-
thority of the Territory Of Kansas or of the
United States, to disperse and retire peaceably
to their respective abodes, and to warn all such
persons that any attempted instruction in said
Territory or aggressive intrusion into the same
will be resisted not only by the employment of
the local militia, but also by any available forces
of the United States to the end of assuring
immunity from violence and full protection to
the persons, property, and civil rights of all
peaceful and law-abiding inhabitants of the
Territory.
If, in any part of the Union, the fury oil
faction or fanatcism, inhamed into disregard Of
the great principles of popular sovereignty
which under the Constitution, are fundamental
in the whole structure of our institutions, is tt
bring on the country the dire calamity of al
arbitrament Of arms in that Territory, it shall
be between lawless violence on the one side anC
conservative force on the other, welded by lega
authority of the General Government
call on citizens, both of adjoining and dis
tant States to abstain from unauthorized inter
meddling in the local concerns of the Territory
admonishing them that its organic law is to b
executed with impartial justice; that all ndi
.vidual acts of illegal interference will incu
condign punishment; and that any endeavor t.
intervene by organized force will be firmly with
stood.
invoke all good citizens to promote order b,
rendering obedience to the law; to seek remed
for temporary evils by peaceful means; to dis
countenance and repulse the counsels and tn
instigations of agitators and disorganizcrs anc
to testify their attachment to their country
their pride in its greatness, their appreciates
: of the blessings they enjoy, and their determm
alton that republican institutions shall not fa
in their hands, by cooperating to uphold tn
majesty of the laws, and to vindicate the sanct
ty of the Constitution.
!, In testimony whereof, have hereunto set m
hand and caused the seal of the United State
to be affixed to these presents.
Done at the city of Washington, the elevent
day of February, in the year of our Lore
one thousand eight hundred and ffty-si,
and of the independence of the Unite
States, the eightieth
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
By the President:
W. L. MARCY, Sec. of State.