Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-12-05


itants Of the Territory TO erect revo-
lutionary government. though sedu'
lousy encouraged and supplied with
pecuniary aid from active agents Of
disorder in some Of the States. has
completely failed. Bodies Of armed
men, foreign to the Territory, have
been prevented from entering or com
PEELED 10 leave il. Predatory bands,
engaged ia acts OF rapine. under COW
err Of the existing political disturban-
ces, have been arrested or dispersed.
And every well dispose person is now
enabled once more to devote himself
in peace TO the pursuits Of prosperous
industry. for the protecution of which
he undertook to participate in the set
Element Of the Territory.
IL affords me unmingled satisfaction
thus TO announce the peaceful condi-
ton Of things Ia Kansas. especially
considering the means to which il was
necessary to have recourse for the at
tainment Of the end. namely, the en-
ployment Of part Of the military
force Of The United States. The with.
drawal of that force from its proper
duty Of defending the country against
foreign foes or the sayagcs OF the FROM
tier. to employ it for the suppression
Of domestic insnrrection. is, when the
exigency occurs. n matter OF the most
earnest solicitude. On this occasion
Of imperative necessity Il has been
done with the best results. and my sat-
isfaction in the attainment of such
results by such means is greatly en-
HANGED by the consideration, that,
through the wisdom and energy Of the
present Executive Of Kansas. and The
prudence. firmuess aud vigilance OF
the military officers on duty there,
tranquility has been restored without
one drop OF blood having been shed
in its accomplishments The forces Of
the United States
| The restoration of comparative
Tranquility in that Territory furnishes
the means Of observing calmly. and
approaching at their just value, the
events which have occurred there,
and the discussions OF which the gov
eminent Of the Territory has been the
subject.
We perceive that controversy con-
corning its future domestic institutions
was inevitable; that no human pru
dence. no form OF legislation. no wis
dom on the part of Congress, could
have prevented this.
II is idle to suppose that the parlic
ular provisions of their organic Law
were the cause OF agitation. Thos,
, provisions were but the occasion, o.
, the pretext Of agitation. which was in
herent in the nature of things. Con
gress legislated upon the subject il
such terms as were most consonan
with the principle of popular sover
, eighty which underlies our govern
, ment. II could not have legislate,
otherwise without doing violence 4
another great principle Of our institu
, tons, the inprescriptible right o
, equality OF the several States.
We perceive. also. that sectional IN
4, terests and party passions, have beef
the great impeachment to the salutar,
I operation OF the organic principle
adopted, and the chief cause Of tn
( successive disturbances in Kansas. -
The assumption that, because in ih'
. organization of the Territories Of Nc
, braska and Kansas. Congress abstain
I ed from imposing restraints upon then
: to which certain other Territories has
! been subject, therefore disorders oc
! cured in the latter Territory, is EN-
|, phatically contradicted by the fac
! that none have occurred in the form
or. Those disorders were. not the con
, sequence, in Kansas, Of the freedom
, OF seli.goyernment conceded to tha
Territory by Congress. but Of unjus
interference on the part Of persons no
Inhabitants OF the Territory. Sucl
interference, wherever it has exhibited
itself. by acts Of insurrectionary char
acter, or Of obstruction 10 processes o
I, law. has been repealed or suppressed
: by oil tho means which the Consiitu
(. ton and the laws place in the hand
!, Of the Executive.
I'll In those parts Of the United Strife
: where. by reason the innamed state O
a the public mind, false rumors an,
misrepresentation have the creates
a currency, IL has been assumed that
was the duty Of the Executive no
only to suppress insurrectionar,
movements In Kansas. but also TO Sc
= to the regularity of local elections. !
' needs little argument to show that ih
President has no such power. Al
government in the United States rest
substantially upon popular election
e The freedom Of elections Is liable 10 b
. impaired by the intrusion OF unlawful
!, votes. or the exclusion Of lawful ones. b.
. improper influences. by violence. OF. b.
. fraud. But the people Of the Uniic'
" States are themselves the aIl-suflicien
= guardians Of their own rights. and I
suppose that they will not remedy. Il
due season. any such incidents Of civ
il freedom. Is to suppose them to hav
: ceased to be capable Of selfgoyern
meni. The President Of the Unite,
States has not power TO interpose Il
elections. 10 see TO their freedom. 4
convass their votes, or to pass upol
their legality In the Territories an,
r more than in the States. II he hat
8 such power the government might b
n republican in form. but II would be
i monarchy 10 fact; and II be had un
y deriaken TO exercise Il in the case o
0 Kansas, he would have been justl,
o subject TO the charge Of usurpation
u and Of violation Of the dearest right
: Of the people Of the United States.
. Unwise laws. equally with irregu
: Iarlties at elections. are. In periods 0
: great excitement. the occasional Incl
dents of even the freest and best 20
: liIical institutions
: But all experience demonstrates tina
. In country like ours, whore tho rIgh'
: Of sell.constItuton exists In tho CON
!. pletest form, the attempt TO remedy un
J. wise legislation by resort 10 revelation
L. 80. ~ II A.