The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-11
PRESIDENT PIERCE ON THE oUTRAGEs IN
KANsAs-INTERvIEw WITH THE KANSAS
COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT PIERCE ON THE oUTRAGEs IN
KANSAS WITH THE KANSAS
COMMITTEE.
To the National Kansas Committee
The undersigned, in obedience to your in
structions, waited on President Pierce on the
30th ult., and prayed his interposition against
the threatened Slave Oligarchic invasion of
Kansas. The following is a summary of re-
suits
Views Of the President.
The opinions expressed by the Executive are
substantially as follows:
While Government has been exhausting its
constitutional powers (which are limited) to
maintain order, Kansas Aid Societies have
been actively stirring up rebellion. A fac
tious spirit among the people of Kansas, re-
specting institutions which they need not have
concerned themselves about, and which would
have all come right in time, originated the
troubles. From the nature, habits, and educa.
ton, 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 themselves, should have sent in or.
der-loving and lawabiding citizens; should
have sent IN peace-seeking men, who would
have promoted concord by moral agencies-by
Bibles rather than by Sharpe's rifles. Such a
course would have strengthened the hands of
the President, instead of tying them, as thsy
had been. The suferings of the settlers are
therefore OF their own seeking, and the legiti-
mate fruits of that gunpowder- Bible preaching
which they and their supporters at the North
have advocated. Each side is doubtless to
blame. Iniammatory appeals are circulated
both South and North, and reports, false or ex-
aggerated, put forth by heated partisans, to
stir up sectional strife. If each party would
only get rid of about a hundred of their de.
signing and restless leaders, agitation would
cease, and speedy end be put to the disor-
ders.
The interposition of the Executive is
claimed by both sides, each party urging against
the other exactly the same charges. At his
distance from the scene of strife, the President
cannot determine between them. His action
must be guided by official reports Gen. Smith
communicates q very dihereutconoluono or Jnlngs
from the exaggerated statements which have
gone abroad. No apprehension of an armed
invasion need be apprehended But, should it
happen, the whole power of the Government
will be exerted to repel it, come from clatecer
source 1t 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. Application
should be made there. General Smith had no
power to redress the wrongs of Mr.. Strawn.
de applied to the wrong quarter. He should
have gone to the courts. AS to granting him
an escort, General Smith thought if Mr..
Strawn was smart enough to find his way safe
ly to him without one, he ought to be able to
find his way backP The courts are open to
all classes of citizens, without distinction. No
authentic information has ever reached the Elk
ecutive, of an individual who has sought re.
dress of wrongs at the hands of the civil power
in Kansas, and failed to obtain it. If one such
case had been presented, he would at once
have removed the offending official. If the
majority of the people in Kansas had wanted
peace and quiet, they could have had it. The
way to get it was for the settlers themselves to
frown down oil agitation growing out of differ
ences of opinion as to local institutions. The
Executive had always felt socitous about the
Territory, and had exerted his constitutional
powers to their full extent to preserve order.
The affair at Lawrence had given him great
anxiety, and he ut that time telegraphed both
to Colonel Sumner and Governor Shannon, be.
sides sending special messenger. Here the
President produced copies of his telegraphic
dispatches, which we believe were made pub.
lie at the time. The outrages at Lawrence
were not done by authority. The President
admits that mistakes have been made AZ is
evident by his removal Of Shannon. Bot an
impartial man has now gone there, who will
see justice done to both parties If he should
catch either party in acts of violence, they
shall be hung up on the spot. The CWIL
Power OF THE TERRITORY MUST BIZ MAIN
TANNED"
Opinions Of the President,
l. That Government has not the power to pro-
tect emigrants en- route for the Territory because
of the jurisdiction of the States consequently
outrages committed on the highways of the ma
ton can only be redressed by the courts of the
States on whose soil such outrages
were committed.
2. That Government he's 40 power to pre-
vent or redreal outrages committed within the
Territory, except through the civil arm or by
martial law.
3. That the military can only aid the civil
power as a posse comitstus, consequently,
4. Government having provided legal mode
OF address for the settlers, and strengthened it
by posse at all times available, the fault is
with the settlers, where they have failed to get
protection or redress they have failed to get
it either because they were not law abiding cit. |
zens, or because they made application, to the !
military, which was the wrong source from
whence to seek it,
D. That the Nero possession OF arms by emf |
grants entering the Territory is not primd facie
evidence of threatened invasion, and that the |
mere possession of arms by settlers within the |
Territory is not prinaG facie evidence of threat
ened instruction; that the bearing of arms
is a constitutional privilege which distinguishes
American citizens; and that s.en Government
Itself HAS NO RIGHT, under such circumstances,
70 pIsAas THEN.
Reply Of the Committee.
Mr.. President, during the eighteen months
Or Iaore that Executive power has been exerted,
as is alleged, to preserve peace in Kansas, and
vainly exerted, it would seem, from admissions
here made, the disorders of that Territory have
grown only worse. At this moment they are
more threatening than everi peaceful solution
Of its tropSles geems still more uncertain than |
at any period of its former history. The Pres
dent afhrms that he has exhausted all his con-
powers. And yet order is not re-
stored. Under such circun stances, may it not
be worth while to inquire sohether tAe germ Of
.he ertts Is not TO be found IN the Territorial
'd,es theD,selpes9
Pesident.-This question do not propose 10
discuss at the present time.