New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-07
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
KANSAS AFFAIRS.

SIR: As Atchison through his official mouthpiece,
tbe Presdent Of the United States has recently by
Special Message proclaimed to the country his views
upon the movements of the actual settlers in Kansas
also his future intentions it seems proper that the
real inhabitants of this territory should make known
their views and intentions.
And o. have been resident of Kansas since Sep
tember. 1854 having been present at every election
under the Territorial Government, having been pres
ent at the first Conventions preparatory to forming
Constitution and eyewitness to most that has been
done in Kansas until within few weeks l ask the
public to give as much weight to my statements as to
those of the President, who MISTAKES eitser design
edy or because he only repeats the reports oil our
enemies who are determined 10 control the destlnles
Of Kansas
| shall pass over the unjust attacks upon Gov.
Reeder. knowing him to be fully competent to defend
himself against an assaant much his inferior IN
ability and integrity his superior in Official station
The first attack like that of all who are striving to
wres from the peaceful citizens of Kansas those rights
guaranteed them in the Constitution and by the Kansas
bill is upon the Emigrant Aid Societies OF the East
The President SAYS: Persons had recourse to propa-
"esnds colonization of the Territory to prevent the
Gree and natural action of its inhabitants, &C.
Invent to Kansas alone-not under the auspices OF
any society. went TO make for myself home
went under the protection of the Kansas bill expect
ing TO enjoy those inaenable rights whicn that was
supposed 10 guarantee every settler and have not
in one instance encountered, on the part OF those So
cietes any interference with my free action, nor have
seen any such interference with the free acton OF any
other settler.
Does IT, ask prevent the free action of the settlers
of Kansas to have those encouraged to join them who
of, Free Oh i'm
favor of making it Slave State Does it pre-
vent the free action of citizen of New York to have
man come from the South land sette) who is Pro-
Slayeryl Does restrain mans free action to have
those around him who differ with him II 50, then
10 man is free to act.
1t is true that Aid Societies have encouraged emf
grafton but have they done it unlawfully Is it not
proper and right for every man, and every body OF
men, to extend and perpetuate those institutions which
they love and believe in
We of Kansas say to our friends in the South; Get
up your Aid Societies and send your men here; we
care not how they come or where they come from, or
what their sentiments be- II they but come legally
and live with u.s. make Kansas their home, we will
receive them cordially. If more come from the South
than from the North more who in favor of Slavery
than opposed to it, and hence make Kansas Slave
State we have nothing to say. The South wouldnot,
or should not, be blamed. 1t is their right TO come,
and if they come in greater numbers than from the
North il is the fault Of the North and not the Sonth
and should Kansas be made Slave State by ma
iorty of the actual settlers the North would have no
right TO complain. The President would admit ali
this and would ask if the converse would not be
true The cause of this cry against the Aid Soci-
cites lies not in the injustice of them, but In the fear
of them
The Slave Power commenced its work long before
tie existence Of any such Societies 1t is determined
to grasp Kansas and attempting to shield sei under
the pretense of Northern provocation, has committed
outrapes in violation Of the Constitution unknown IN
the most tyrannical Government No intelligent man
of the South deprecates this emigration movement.
The cry is raised by politicians who expect their sery
ants in the North will reecho it louder and louder
The Presidents Message shows they have not been
disappointed.
will also notice the remarks in reference TO
the first Legislature The President does not venture
TO deny that the first Legislature was elected by for
eign Illegal votes but the Governor gave the re-
quired certificates, there is no remedy.
Admitting the Governors certificate TO be conciu-
sye. would ask where, in the organic act, u there
apy power given the House to Gust any Member who
has bis certificate hold this right does not Obtain
from parliamentary usage, because such usage "oala
conflict with power given the Governor IN .he
organic act. That act makes han the only tribunal 70
decide u1on vacancy; and if h. decides that a va
cancv has occurred, the House has no power TO go
behind this Hence il had no power to Gust the Mem
hers elected at second election, because this would
mply a power to decide upon vacancies, winch Is
given the Governor alone. Therefore, admitting the
Governors certificate 10 be conclusive, hold that the
excluding Of part Of the Legislature, and receiving
persons without the required certificates would render
the whole an Illegal body.
This i. sufficient answer to the Presidents attempt
to egsze the intrusive Legislature; but put the case
On another ground
In accordance with the principles Of this Govern
uent and especially Of the massachusetts bill, the
people ought decide who should rule them. Hence,
when one people nvades another, the invaded have
right to say whether they will submit to lave passed
in pursuance of such invasion. The people themselves
have right to decide this their decision is to be re-
garded above that of any man, and therefore
should Governor Of any Territory certify that per-