Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-09-11
President Pierce on Kansas Affairs.


"go, 10 ascertain what he was going to do
in reference to Kansas affairs. The Com
mittee make the following repor, of the re-
suits Of The interviews;
'~---- News OF TnE PREsIDBST.
The opinions expressed by. the Execu-
tive are substantially as follows:
fWhile Government has been exhaust
ing ITS constitutional powers (Which are
limiied) TO maintain order, Kansas Aid So
cieties have been actively stirring up rebell-
ion. A iactious spirit among the people of
kansas respecting institutions which they
need not have concerned themselves about,
AID which would have all come right in
time, originated the troubles. From the ma
ture, habits and education of the border
men, il was natural to find them excited by
such an agitation. At this crisis, the North,
instead Of sending in armed men, who went
about boasting Of their ability to protect
themselves, should have sent in order-lov-
ing and aw-abiding citizens; should have
sent in peace-seeking men, who would have
promoted concord by moral agencies by
Bibles rather than by Sharp's rifles. Such
course would have strengthened the hands
Of the President, instead Of trying them, as
they had been. The snfferings of the set
tiers are therefore of their seeking, and the
Legitimate fruits Of that gunpowder-bib
preaching which they and their supporters
at the North have advocated. Each side is
doubtless 10 blame. Inhalnmatory appeals
are circulated both South and North, and
reports, false or exaggerated put forth by
heated partisans TO stir up sectional strife.
II each party would only get rid of about
hundred Of their designing and restless lea
ders, ngitafion would cease, and speedy
end be put 10 the disorders.
'The interposiIion of the Executive is
claimed by both sides, each party urging
against The other exactly the same charges.
-Atliis distance from the scene Of strife, the
President cannot determine between them.
His action must be guided by official re-
ports. Gen. Smith communicates very
different condition Of things from the exag-
Grated statements which have gone abroad.
Rot prehen,ion Of an armed Invasion need
be unprecedented. But, should it happen, the
whole power of The Government will be ex-
crted 10 repel it, come from lrhafcrer source
Il may. The army in Kansas is not there
To prevent or correct outr1ges unless they
amount TO invasion or in>urrection. The
civil power alone is competent 10 This -
Application should be made there. Gen.
Smith had no power TO redress the wrongs
Of Mr. Strawn. He applied, 60 the wrong
quarter. He should have gone TO he Courts
As 10 granting him an escort, "Gen. Smith
thought il Mr.. Strawn was smart enough 10
find his way safely 10 him without one, he
ought TO be able TO find his way back!"--
The Courts are open to all classes of cii-
zens without distinction. No,aMhenfic infor-
nation h9s ever reached the Executive of an
individual who has sought redress of wrongs
at the hands of the civil power in Kansas,
and failed 10 obtain it. If one such case
had been presented, he would at once have
removed the offending official. If the ma
jority of the people in Kansas had wanted
peace andaqiet, they could have had it,
The why 10 get it was for the settlers among
themselves 10 frown down all agitation
growing out Of differences of opinion as 10
local institutions. The Executive had al
ways felt soicitous about The Territory, and
had eYerted his constitutional powers to
Their full extent 10 preserve order. The
affair nj Lawrence had given him great anx-
anu hC 'itt llnC uUlil W
Col. Sumner and Gov. Shannon, besides
sending n special messenger. { Here
the President produced copies Of his tele-
graphic dispatches, which, we believe, were
made public at the time.) The outrages at
Lawrence were not done by authority. The
President admits that mistakes have been
made, as is evident by his removal of Shan
non. But an impartial man has now gone
there, who will see Justice done 20 both
parties, he should catch either party in
acts of violence, they shall be hung up on
the spot. THE CIVIL POWER OF THE TER
RIroRY MUST DE MAINTAIyED!"
OPINIONS OF THE PRESIDENT.
!. That the Government has not the pow
or 10 protect emgrants en-route for the
Territory, because ofthe jurisdiction Of the
States; consequently, outrages committed
on the highways Of the nation can only be
redressed by the Courts of the respective
States on whose soil such outrages were
committed.
2. That Government has no power Ia
prevent or redress ou,rages committed with.
in the Territory, except through the civil
arm or by martial law.
g. That the military can only aid the civ.
il power as posse comtatus; consequent.
ly, ,.
4. Government having provided lega
mode ofredress for the settlers, and strength
ened it by a posse at all times available, the
fault is with the settlers when they have
failed to get protection or redress; they have
failed 10 get il either because they were mo-
law-abiding, or because they made applica
ton to the military which, was the wrong
source from whence to seek it.
5. That the mere possession Of srms by
emigrants entering the Territory is not pri
ma facle evidence of threatened invasion
and that the mere possession of arms b,
settlers within the Territory is not prim
facie evidence of threatened instruction
that the bearing of arms isa CoNsTITuTIoN
AL PRIVILEGE which distinguishes Ameri
can citizens; and that eucr Gorernmeu itse!
HAS NO RIGHT, under such circumstances
TO DIsARM THEM.