The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-10
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON, d. C, july 10, 1856

the right of selfgovernment in the established
forms, and thus became responsible for all the
resulting crime and ruin. Selfgovernment by
the People is noble doctrine, if carried out
honestly and faithfully; if they will not do this,
let them surrender all government into the
hands of one man, whom they know to be able,
pure, and honest, rather than, by wicked delin-
quency, suffer gang of villains to steal into
power and misgovern in their name.
What has happened in California, has mark
ed to certain extent the history OF Kansas,
and may yet be re-enacted in other localities:
and in this connection we must hold the pres
ent Administration to fearful responsibility.
1t is notorious that the men in California who
have contributed largely to bringing about
condition of things 80 intolerable as to require,
in the judgment of the People there, the reme-
diate agency of Revolution, are appointees of
President Pierce, and managers of the Party
sustaining him. His patronage there, as in
Kansas, has been bestowed on INSCRIPTIONS
and violent men, who have abused official sta
tion to the worst purposes. In Missouri and
Kansas, as we all know, Offices were taken
away from what is called the Benton Party,
recognised as opposed TO all attempts to use
the Slavery question for notification purposes,
and given to the Atchison Party, which has
been at the bottom of all the forays on. Kansas
and its People, and is madly bent on the propa-
CATION of Slavery, even at the price of Disunion.
1t is the character of the men whom the Presi-
dent has appointed in Kansas, and their acts,
which have driven the abused settlers to the
necessity of selfdefence, and involved the Ter.
ritory in anarchy and blood.
In fact, the Revolution in California, the
Civil War in Kansas, the reign of Martial Law
in Oregon, and the Ostend Conference, are, to
great extent, chargeable on President Pierce
and his party, and it is this party which is now
seeking new lease Of power, by hiding itself
under the decent exterior of Presidential
candidate, not an accomplice in the bad acts
of the present Administration, because he was
absent at foreign Court, but fully pledged to
sustain all its enormities, and to continue its
policy. Not an accomplish, did we say? Ali
let US not forget that by his conspicuous parti-
cipation in the Ostend Conference, and his
announcement in its Manifesto, that might
makes right, and the law of selfpreservation
would warrant the seizure of Cuba, be gave
sufficient evidence of what would have been
his action, had he been at home when the re-
peal of the Missouri Compromise was effected
by this Admins tration.
But, for the misrule and disaster which have
marked the Administration of President Pierce,
who are ultimately responsible? THE PEOPLE.
And who will be responsible for all the evils
that shall follow the election of James Bu-
chanan, should he be elected-evils which, like
those in California, may at last drive wise men
mad, and make Revolution a necessity? THE
PEOPLE. Let them cut loose from Party vas
salage, and exercise the right of suffrage in
obedience to their consciences, so as to put a
period to the rule of men who have brought
the country to the brink of ruin, and we shall
no more be appalled, by such reports as are
heralded by every arrival from California and
Kansas.