Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-02-08
Special and Extraordinary Message.

On Thursday of las, week, the President
transmitted to congress special Message on
Kansas affairs. 1t goes the whole figure
for Slavery deneunces the course of the
citizens of Kansas in resisting the encroa-
ments of the Missouri Border Ruffians, -
and justifes the latter in their outrage
upon the nnoffepding Stree State" citizens
Of Kansas, and declares his determination
TO enfore the Laws of tho ''Ruffian Legis-
ture" over the people of tia Territory
The following is synopsis Of the message,
as communicated in the telegrarhic report of
the Congressional proceedings;
Il sets forth that circumstances have oc-
CURED TO disturb the course Of the govern
ment of Kansas, producing condition of
things which renders il incumbent on hin
To call the attention Of Congress to it, and
urgently recommends the adoption OF such
measures as the exigency seems TO require.
He slludes eulogistically 10 the principles
embra led in the Kansas-Nebrasks act, and
the system Of gorernment and laws passed
to put it into operation. While Nebraska
has been successfully organized, the organi-
zation Of Kansas has been long delayed, at
tended by serious difficulties aud em5a.rass-
ments, partly from local mal-adlninistration,
and partly from unjustifrable interference
from the inhabitants of some of the States,
with views foreign TO the interests and
rights of the Territory. Gov Reeder, in
stead of exercising constant vigilance in
the discharge of his duties, allowed his at
tention to be diverted from his official OBJ
legations by other objects, himself setting
AN example of violation of law and duty
which impelled the President to remove
him. He alludes to the misdirected zeal of
the propagandist emigration and tie clash
ing of the slavery and anti-slavery inter
ests as the cause of the mischief, and as
emphatically condemns the efforts to an
ticilate or force the de.ef nlination Of that
question in this incubate state. The frst
legislative assembly, whatever may have
been the inform alities in the election of
members was for all practical purposes, n
lawful body, and IN this connection, the
President reviews Gov. Reeders conduct
regarding the removal Of the scat of gov
srnmeut, and his refusal TO sign the bills
passed By that body.
The ill-feeling in tha: territory has pow
reached such point that il threatens the
peace, not only Of Kansas, but of the
Union. Relative 10 the recent Convention
which formed Free State Constitution, he
says i' was by party, and not the people
who thus accede contrary to the principles
OF public law, the practise under the Com
stitutiop of the United States and the rule
OF right and common sense. The movement
IN opposition to the Constitutional authori-
ties OF Kansas, wa. revolutionary in its
character, and If it shall reach point of
organized resistance, it will be reasonable
resurrection, and will become tho duty of
the Federal Government to suppress ii. 1t
IS not for the President to define the duties
OF the States or the Territories, or to tlecid e
weather the Law ia wise or upwise, JUS. or
unjust. II is bis duty to cause it to be .x-
eeutcd. The great popular prcrogative Of
seif-goVernment mus, be respected.
The President says, it is bis duty to pre-
serve order in tha territory, aud to vindi-
cate tho laws, whether federal or local, and
to protest the people in the full enjo, men,
of self-government from all encrouchmeut,
from without. Although serious and
threatening the Disturbances announced to
him By dovorDor Shannon, in December las,
We're quoted without the the effusion Of
blood. There is no reason now. however
20 apprehend renewed disorder there, unless
decided measures be forthwith taken 10 pre-
vent them. he concludes by saying tina,
i the inhabitants OF Kansas shall desire ,
State formstion, and be of sufficient num-