The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-06
LETTER OF HON. JOHN W. WHITFIELD.

WASHINGTON, August 4, 1856.
To Me People Of Kansas Territory;
The long threatened act has been consummated by the
reckless violence Of the backubcan party the House
OF Representatives, and in violation of constitution
and the law, have been reoUed from my seat as your dele
gate upon the aoor of Congress an act without
lei 10 the history OF this country and is cacuated ex
cite alarm in the minds Of all good But it more
especially YOU whom it has denied the right
of selecting your delegate Congress- and you will
soon be called to approve condemn the dsranchise
ment II you ready to become the supple slaves of
mad aud fanacal party you will approve it but if you
are the independent freemen suppose you be- you will
condemn the enormity
BY the constitution of the United States the House OF
Representatives is the exclusive Judge Of the qualification
of its members But this power must be exercised
under eSsng ars In my it has been exercised
only without law but in defiance Of law The House has
tampled with violence spon all the principles heretofore
considered necessary guard and protect the
tive FEATURE of our institutions
l. In order that the contest of my right TO the seat
should have been legal one have had a competitor
the election II is conceded that Governor Reeder was
candidate Therefore, he is intruder and bad no
right to initiate and prosecute a contest Than any
other citizen ofhe Territory for whom might
been cast
2. To have made such contest is contemplated "
the law the contestant should have claimed IL; he was
entitled TO my seat in consequence of Jies cast at the
Governor Reedrr sets up such claim but that all the
claim TO which he pre uded founded upon votes given
him a different ,imc
, As sworn in as your delegate without any le-
gal contest Of my right had the right, under the cousti
tuition and law remain your delegate during the voc
Congress unrss had been guilty OF some which sub
ieced removal
A. The House has appointed committee for poiiticol
purposes and this committee has gathered together
OF hearsoy satemen, that not proof Of transactions
with which had concern and which have nothing TO
do with my election and these hearsay statements have
been ssed evdne in my case and made the preex for
my removal
Aud thus, in unparalleled manner and In viola
ton Of the plain principles Of right and justice has the
act Of my eiecdon from my BEEN consummated. Al
though puisoz you, the people Of Kansas
directly yet also the whole people the
United States for the party who have perpetraed The
consider IL only series Of measures with which
they threaten the peace and safety Of the Union You
have done nothing than at pursuant existing
law Of Congress which organized the Territory AID
ferret upon you the sovereign right 10 mould your
institutions in your way Under this law you elect
cd Representatives the territorial legislature and they
in the exercise Of acknowledged power provided by
Law Of the Territory for the election Of delegate Con
Rrtss At the time fixed by this law elected with
opposition; yet In defiance Of this fact and after
regularly admitted my seat have been removed
really because elected but because II has
become necessary the contamination Of certain party
and political objects within The States that the laws Of
Kansas should be stricken down aud all the rights which
have arisen under them should be destroyed, even
denial Of the right OF representation. These serious
and startling matters and 1t becomes you TO meet them
like conscious Of your rights and prepared
them BY peaceful but powerful remedy Of the bnotboz
This party was compelled bait little In It's T
rcckiesspcss There was on, thing which could OF
do Il could not lgio,s Gov. Rccdcr into Congress, nj
though Il l1isiG,,i Yet there eghty-oipht
Of those who compose n majority OF the House who did
that he shoud be admitted 10 the seat in utter def
Of principle precedent and law These who thus
voted--whcu il Is conceded that Gov. Reeder
candidate 1T any legal election and only claimed bis
IN consequences certain popular MEETINGS
held whow ne authority Of any tawmnst have terrible
responsibility before the bar Of tho country
But hare only 70 deal with results and this result
The rejection Of Gov Rccder because he not elected Vt
legal eIectionshows that had competitor; that he
In condition TO challenge my right and tina, !,
only by the employment OF the force and vo
lence Of party that have osmy II this action shall
become precedent hereafter it may be applied to the
States and proaigate majority may deprive any district
in the United States OF The right OF representation There
alarming aud startling question presented
to any people And II will be proud day for the people
Of Kansas when Il shall be in their power rebuke this
outrage Although they shall do their account
yet they will do so less on Of every copgres
sioDal district in the Union.
shall return Immediately home, aud fully explain these
Of the whole Of them At the proper time election
will DO ordered, which shall b. again candidate, be
in mJ person this has BEEN offered 10 you
thl expect you avenYe it and Ibis trust Is not ex
pcung TOO much At the hsnds OF hoera sod
constituency Very respectfully, - vru,-rrv7n
y IL