Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-12-18

prlnclple OIL the constitution, the impress
criptible right of equality OF the several
States. We here perceive also that sec
tonal interests and party passions have
been the great impediments to the salutary
operation of the organic principles adop
ted, and the chief cause of the successive
in Kansas. the assumption
that because in the organization of the Ter
ritories of Nebraska and Kansas, Congress
abstained from imposing restrictions upon
them to which certain other Territories
had been subject; therefore disorders oc-
CURED in the latter Territory, is cmphat-
ically contradicted by the fact that none
have occurred in the former Territory
The disorders were not the consequence
in Kansas of the freedom Of self govern
ment conceded to that Territory by Con-
gress, but of unjust interference on the
part of persons not inhabitants OF the Ter
ritory, such interference wherever it has
exhibited itself by acts OF insurrectionary
character or of the obstruction to processes
of law has been repelled or suppressed by
all the means which the Constitution and
the laws placed in the hands Of the Exec
utive.
In these parts of the United States, where
by reason of the inflamed state of the pub
lie mind, false rumors and misreprescnta-
tions have the greatest currency, it has
been assumed that it was the duty of the
Executive, not only to suppress insurrec-
tionary movements in Kansas, but also 10
see to the irregularity of local elections; ii
needs little argument to show that the
President has no such power. All govern
ments in the United States, rest substan-
italy upon popular election. The freedom
of elections is liable to be impaired by the
introduction of unlawful votes, or the ex-
clusion of lawful ones, by improper influ-
ences; By violence or by fraud.
But the people of the United States are
themselves the allsufficient guards Of their
own rights, and to suppose that they will
not remedy in due season any such Incl
dents OF civil freedom is to suppose them
to have ceased to be capable of self govern
ment. The President Of the United States
has not the power to interpose in elections
to see to their freedom to canvass THEN
votes or to pass upon their legality in the
Territories any more than IN the States
If he had sucn power the Government
might be Republican in form, but it would
be a monarchy in fact, and if be had un-
der.aken to exercise it in the case Of Kan
sas he would have been Justly subject tc
the charge of usurpation, and of violating
one Of the dearest rights Of the people O
the United States.
Unwise laws. equally with irregulariiie.
at elections, are, in periods of great excite
ment. the occasional incidents Of even tht
freest and best political institutions Blu
all experience demonstrates that in a coun
try like ours where the right of self govern
ment exists in the completest form, the at
tempt to remedy unwise legislation By re
sort to revolution, is totally out OF place
inasmuch as existing legal institutions af-
ford more prompt and ellicacious means
for the redress of wrongs. | confidently
trust that now when the peaceful condition
Of Kansas affords opportunity for calm re-
fiection and wise legislation either the leL-
islative assembly Of the Territory, or Con
gress will see that no act shall remain or
its statue book yiolative of the provision oI
the Constitution, or subversive of the great
objects for which that was ordained and es-
tablished and will take all other necessary
steps to assure to its inhabitants the en-
joymcnt without obstruction or abridge-
ment to all the constitutional rights, priviI-
eges and immunities of citizens of the Uni.
ted States, as contemplated by the organic
law of the Territory.
Full information in relation to recent
events i'll that Territory, will be found in
the documents herewith communicated
from the Departments of State and War
| refer you to the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury for particular information
concerning the financial condition of the
government aud the various branches OF
the public service connected with the
Treasury Department.
During the last fiscal year the receipts
from the customs were for the first time
more than sixty-four million dollars, and
from all sources seventy-three million nine
hundred and eighteen thousand one hun
dred and forty one dollars; which, with the
balance on hand up to July lst, 1856, made
the total resources of the year, to amount
to ninety two million eight hundred and ff-
ty thousand one hundred and seventeen
dollars. The expenditures, including three
million dollars in execution of treaty with
Mexico, and excluding sums paid in ac-
count of the public debt, amounts to sixty
million one hundred and seventy two thou
sand four hundred and one dollars; and in
cluding the latter, to seventy two million
nine hundred and forty eight thousand
seven hundred and ninety two dollars. the
payment on this account having amounted
to twelve million seven hundred and seven.
ty six thousand three hundred and ninety
dollars. On the 4th of March, 1853, the
amount of the public debt was sixty nine
million one hundred and twenty nine thou
sand nine hundred and thirty seven dol
lars.
On examining the expenditure ofthe last
five years, it will be seen that the average,
deducting payments on account of the pub
lie debt and ten millions paid by treaty to
Mexico, has been but about forty eight
million dollars. 1t is believed that under
an economical Administration of the Gov
ernment, the average expenditures for the
ensuing five years, will not exceed that sum
uplaSs an extraordinary occasion for ltS in