Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-21


quirement in Territory Of tie United States.
In Territory NOT Of the United States it
might be improper.
Mr.. Clayton indicates that an oath to sup
port the Constitution might be permitted, but
not an oath TO support the laws or any par
ticular law.
Here Mr. Clayton abandons the ground
before taken, inasmuch as one of the provi
sions of the Constitution is, that "this Consti-
tuition, and all laws made in pursuance thereof
shall be the supreme law Of the
land"
This being the case, an oath 10 support the
Constitution includes an oath TO support all
the laws, including The Fugitive Slave law
We can neither agree by the repeal Of this
conservative law 10 place power in the hands
of a class OF men who are not willing TO sup.
port the Constitution Of the United States and
all the laws made in pursuance thereof, or to
encourage class of men to settle in Kansas
who are unwilling to obey the laws of Kansas.
Besides, We do not think any remedy valua-
ter of accidents"
The difficulties in Kansas have arisen from
the fact, that considerable number of the set
tiers there are unwilling to obey the laws.
They arrived in Kansas and proceeded to
build strong houses with brick walls loopholed
for musketry and pierced for cannon. They
came in organized bands or companies or were
organized soon after their arrival. They held
Conventions in which they declared they would,
in a certain event, "resist the laws to bloody
issue"
They declared their intention, and prepared
themselves to carry it out.
Governor Shannon, lwho does not seem to
be the best man who could have been selected
for The position he occupes,) communicated
to the President the state Of affairs in the Ter
ritory, who responded By an admirable procla-
nation, placing ample power in the hands of
the Governor for the preservation Of peace aud
law and order. He had authority, if circum-
stances demanded it, to call On the military to
aid in enforcing the law.
The indiscreet use by Governor Shannon Of
the power conferred upon him, in calling in the
military before occasion required it, has, TO
some extent, implicated affairs in Kansas.
The military power of the country should be
called in to aid the civil power only in the last
resort If possible process should be executed
by the "power Of the country" or posse COM
itatus, and until il is evident that this is mad
equate, certainly the military should not be
called on.
The employment Of soldiers in the execution
OF law is odious TO our people, and except in
case of absolute necessity should not be re-
sorted to.
The civil power is amply sufficient in Kan
| sas to maintain and execute the laws without
the aid of the military, and of this the quiet
abatement Of the nuisances at Lawrence is Il
sufficient proof
The disturbefs Of the public peace in Kansas
do not make up one-thrd Of the bona fde set
tiers of the Territory, and they would soon be
put down and order restored if the military
were withdrawn.
We incline TO the belief that it was unwise
in Governor Shannon TO call in the military
authority.
1t is rumored that The President rebuked
him because he did not do so.
If this be 90 the responsibility belongs to the
President
The violators of the law pursue their course
under the expectation that should the danger
of conflict be imminent, that the military
would be thrown between opposing parties.
Hence the presence of the military is an en-.
couragement to men who are insubordinate to
the law, to continue so; for, as they think, at
the last moment the military will step between
the parties.
The northern abolition papers claim that
Colonel Sumner sympathized with the Law
renee martyrs.