The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-12-09
NO. $50.

the attainments of the end, namely: the en-
ployment of part of the military force of
the United States. The withdrawal of that
force from its proper duty Of defending tho
country against foreign foes or the savages Of
the Frontier to employ for the suppression of
domestic insurrection, is when the exigency
occurs matter of the most earnest solicitude.
On this occasion of imperative necessity it
has been done with the best results, and my
satisfaction in the attainment Of such results
by such means is greatly enhanced by the
consideration that through the wisdom and
energy of the present executive Of Kansas
and the prudence, frmness and vigilance of
the military officers on duty there, tranquility
has been restored without ono drop of blood
having been shed in its accomplishment by
the forces Of the United States.
The restoration of comparative tranquility
in that Territory furnishes tho means Of OBJ
serving calmly and appreciating at their just
value the events which have occurred there,
and the discussions of which the Government
of the Territory has been the subject. We
perceive that controversy, concerning its flu
turc domestic institutions, was inevitable
that no human prudence--no form Of Legis-
lation-no wisdom on the part Of Congress
could have prevented this. 1t is idle to sup
pose that the particular provisions Of their or
ganic Law were the cause ofagitation. Those
provisions were but the occasion or pretext of
an agitation which was inherent in the nature
Of things. Congress legislated upon the SUBJ
jcct in such terms as were most consonant
with the principle of our Popular Sovereignty
which underlies our government.
1t could not have legislated otherwise with
out doing violence to another great principle
of our institutions, the impreseriptible right
Of equality of the several States. Wo per-
ceive also that sectional interests and party
passions have been the great impediment to-
the salutary operation of tho organic princi-
pies adopted, and the chief cause Of the sue
cessive disturbances in Kansas, the assumption
that because in tho organization of the Terri
tories of Nebraska and Kansas, Congress ab.
stained from imposing restrictions upon them
to which certain other Territories had been.
subject, therefore disorders occurred in tho
latter Territory, is emphatically contradicted
by the fact that none have occurred in the for
mer. The disorders were not the consequence
in Kansas of the freedom of sclfgovernment
to that Territory by Congress, but
Of unjust interference on the part of persons
not inhabitants of the Territory such interfe-
renee wherever it has exhibited itself by acts
Of insurcctionary character or Of the obstruc-
ion to processes of law has been repelled or
by all the means which the Con-
titution and the laws place in the hands OF
.he Executive.
In these parts of the United States, where,
BY reason Of the infamed state of the public
mind, false rumors and misrepresentation
lave the greatest currency; it has been rs
umcd that it was the duty of the Executive,
lot only to suppress insurrectionary move
nents in Kansas, but also TO see to the irreg-
llarity of local elections; il needs little argu-
nent to show, that the President has not
uch power. All government in the United
states, rests substantially upon popular elec.
ion. The freedom Of elections is liable to-
e impaired by the intrusion of unlawful votes,
r the exclusion of lawful ones, by improper
nfuenccs, by violence, or by fraud.
But the people of the United States arc
themselves the all sufficient guardians of their
wn rights, and to suppose that they will not
emedy in duo season any such incident
civil freedom is to suppose them to
ave ceased to be capable Of self-governmcnt.
he President Of the United States has not
ne power to interpose in election TO sec, to-
heir freedom, to canvass their votes or to
ass upon their legality in the Territories
ny more than in the States. If he had
lch power the government might be Repub-
can in form, but it would be monarchy in
ct, and if he had undertaken to exercise it
the case of Kansas he would have been
stly subject TO the charge of usurpation, and
violating the dearest rights of the people
the United States.
Unwise laws equally with irregularities at
ections, are in periods Of great excitement
le occasional accidents of even the freest
I'd best political institutions. But all expe-
ence demonstrates that in country like
lrs where the right of self-constitution exists
the completest form, the attempt to REM
ly unwise Legislation by resort to revolution,
totally out Of place, inasmuch ms existing
gal institutions afford moro prompt and ef-
acious means for the redress of wrongs.
trust that now when the peaceful
ndition Of Kansas affords opportunity for
I'm reflection and wise legislation, either tho
yslative assembly of the Territory, or Con-
ess will see that no act shall remain on its
,tutc book violative of the provisions of the
institution, or subversive of the great OBJ
It's for which that was ordained and estab-
he'd, and will take all other necessary steps.
assure to its Inhabitants tho enjoyment
thout obstruction or abridgmcnt of all tho
Institutional rights, privileges and immuni
s Of citizens of the U. s. as contemplated
the organic law of the Territory.
Full information in relation to recent
ents in that territory will be found in the
herewith communicated from the
'partments of State and War. refer you
tho report of the Secretary of the Treasury
particular information concerning tie f.
ncial condition of the government and the
rious branches OF the public service connec-
with the Treasury Department.
During tho last fiscal year the receipts
M customs were for the first time more
IN sixty-fou millions of dollars, and from
sources seventy-tliree million nine hundred