The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-01-30

DC lnfaueQ Oy ne Citizens OF other
States, whether for the purpose of de-
Gliding elections OF for any other, and
the local authorities find themselves un-
able to repel or withstand it, they will.
be entitled to, and upon the fact being
fully ascertain ed, they shall most GER
taiuly receive the aid of the General
Government.
Bnt it is not the duty of the Presi-
dent of the United States to volunteer
Interpolation by force to preserve the
purity of elections either in a State or
Territory. To do so would be subver-
sive of public Freedom. And whether
a law be wise or unwise, just or unjust,
is not the QUESTION for him to judge. If
it be constitutional-tbat is, if it be the
law of the land-it is his duty TO cause
it to be executed, nr to sustain the au-
thorities of any State or Territory in
executing it in opposition to all insur-
rectory movement.
Our system affords no justification of
revolutionary acts, for the constitution
al means of relieving the people of un-
just administration and laws, by a change
of public agents aud by repeal, are am
pie, and more prompt and effective than.
illegal violence. These constitutional
means must be scrupulously guarded
this great prerogative of popular SOW
ereignty sacredly respected.
1t is the undoubted right of the peace
able and orderly people of tho Terrific
ry of Kansas to elect their own Leeis-
lative Body, make their own laws, and
regulate their own social institutions.
without foreign or domestic molesration.
Interference on the one hand, to pro-
cure the abolition or prohibition of slave
labor in the Territory, has produced
mischievous interference, on the other
for its maintenance or introduction.
One wrong begets another. Statements
entirely unfounded or grossly exaggcr.
ated, concerning events within the Ter.
ritory are s~edulously difused through
remote States to feed the fame Of sec
tional luminosity there /; and the agita-
tors there exert themselves indefatiga.
bly, IN return to encourage and stimu-
late strife within the Territory.
The infamatory agitation, of which
the present is but a part, has for TWEEN
ty years produced nothing save unmiti-
gated evil, North and South. But for
it the character of the domestic institu-
tions of the future new State would have
been a matter of too little Importance
to the inhabitants of the contiguous
States, personally or collectively, topro-
duce among them any political emotion.
Climate, soil, production, hopes of rap
id advancement, and the pursuit of hap
| r.roo, -, + 1o.k g .ok.1.
with good wishes but with no interfer-
ence from without, would have quietly
determined the question which is at this
time of such disturbing character.
But we are constrained to turn our
attention to the circumstances of embar-
rassment as they now exist. 1t is the
duty of the people of Kansas to discount
nance every act o. purpose of resistance
to its laws. Above all, the emergency
appeals to the citizens of the States, and
especially those contiguous to the Terri
TORY, neither By Intervention of non-rcs-
idents in elections, nor by uuautho lied
military force, to attempt to encroach
nj OIL or usurp the authority of the in.
habitauts of the Territory.
No citizen of our country should per.
NIT himself to forget tn at he is a part
of its government, and entitled to be
heard i'll the determination of its policy
and its measures and that therefore,
the highest considerations of personal
honor and patriotism reqiire him to
maintain. by whatever power or infu-
ence he may possess, the integrity of the
laws of the Republic.
Entertaing these views, it will be my
imperative duty to exert the whole
power of the Federal Executive TO sup
port public order in the Territory to
vindicate its laws, whether Federal or
local, against all attempts of organized
resistance aud so to protect its people
in the establishments of their own insti.
buttons, undisturbed by encroachment
from without, and in the full enjoyment
of the rights of seif-government assured
to them by the Constitution and the
organic act of Congress.
Although serious and threatening dis
tufbances in the Territory of Kansas,
announced to ME by the Governor III
December last, were speedily quieted
without the e~fusion of blood, AID in a
Satisfactorily HiuuucT, butTc is, regret 10
say. reason to appreheHd that disorders
will continue to occpf there, with in
creasing tendency to violence, until some
decisive me asures be taken to dispose
of the question itself which constitutes
the inducement of OCCASION of internal
agitation and of external interference.
This, ii seems to me, can best be
accomplished by providing that, when
the inhabitants of Kansas may desire it,
and shall be of sufficient numbers TO
constitute a State, a convention of dole
gates, duly elected by the qualified yo-
tiers, shall assemble to frame a Consti-
tuition, and thus to prepare, through
regular and lawful means. for its admis-
sion into the Union as a State.
I respectfully recommend the enact
ment of q law to that effect.
recommend, also, that a special ap-
preparation be made to defray any ex-
pense which may become requisite in the
execution of tho laws or the maintenance
of public order in the Territory of Kan
sas. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Ro-aoae ~ Wolves in iowa