The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-09-19
TIE PRESIDENTS REPLY.

GENTLEMEN: On ny recent return to this
city after fortnight absence. Your memorial
without date. was paced il my hands. throu. II
the agency of Mr.. i.oratio King. of the Post
Office Department. to whom ii had been IL
trusted. From the distinguished source
whsncc it proceeded. as we'll as its peculiar
character. have deemed il proper to depart
from nv general r:lv II s,I; II case and give
1t an answer.
You first assert that "th" .und.men,s, pin
c:pIc Of The Constitution of the , nitcd Stet,>
and Of oHr political institutions is. that TIE
people Shall make their own laws and elcc;
their own rulers" You then express your
grief and establishment that should have
violated this principle. and. through Gov
error Walker. have employed an army. zone
purpose OF which is to force the people Of
Kansas 70 ODE. laws lot their own. nor E.
the United States. but laws which It i no.o-
rious. and established urou evidence. tho
never made. an,l rulers they never elected.
Ani as 4 cogoitrl from the forcg, ing you
represent that am openly held NJ and pro
claimed, t. the great dcroGat:on Of cur IL
tional character, u violating IN It, most Is
scn:a particular the solemn ouh which the
AZ ",'> .''N' :, ,''O
lion u .''s s''''' ~ v az ''."'! ''''t'
;,foce"oh,@ rom :,cii'i'''',' Oh your A'Sh
sign my ramc to int,ny. But i'll proportion
20 their gravity. common justice. 20 say moth
;hS OF ii.;is'ian cnarit!' require mat before
making them ,oa should have clcar Y aScer
'"lncd ina. 'iie' were wen l0"'oG"'
1t nor. ;Ecy SI!i rchound with Mi'hcfihS
condemnation "pon their authors. Lave !ou
performed tins preliminary dHty toward me
man "ho. no"~T,' unworthy, IS the 0"l
NaS!strat" oi YOU: country ii 80. elthe'
you or | are .;:''orin- under as,rangc de!uslOn
Should this PROVE to be your case. it vii!
present Il memorable example Of the truth
that political prejudice Is blind even 20 the
existance OF the plaincst and most paIpabc
historical facts. 10 the tacti let Us refer.
Vixen entered. upon lie duties OF the
Presidential office. Oh. HE i,n OF March last.
what was Tx condition Of Kansas? This
Territory lad been organized under the az
of Congress OF 5u'.l May. 1871, and the ('o:-
crnment i'll al Its branches was III full opera
ton. \ Govtrncr.Sc'rcttry ofthc Territory.
Chief Justice. two Associate justices. MaE-
shall and District Attorney had been appointed
by my predecessor. b. ;.nt; with the ice
and cOnsen: of tie Scnat. and were al. en-
gagged in discl.arG,ng their respective duties.
A code Of laws ha'; been enacted by the Ter
ritorial Legislature: and tie Judiciary Scre
employed III expounding and carrying these
laws into effect.
1t is quite true that controversy ha'!
previously arisen respecting the validity OF
the election of the members of the Territorial
legislature. and of the laws passed by them,
lnlt It the time entered upon my official
dutie.. to:;srctS h.! recognized this Lesi>-
lature IN different tor-ns an'; b: different en-
actment- Inc Delegate 4cttcli 10 the House
If Representatives. Under D territorial la"
had just lonipiete' his term Il service on the
day prev: on; TO my inau@ ration. IN fac
1 found :he Government OF Kansas. a. WI.
established as titat Of any other Territory.
Under these circumstances. what was my
duty? VAST to sustain this Government :
To protect 1t from the violence OF ias!e-> men
who We're determined either 10 ruiz 81 rcln .
10 prevent 1t from LeingoverturncU ~ force
In the language CT the constitution. to 't.A'
care that the laws be faithfully executed
1t was 10: tins purpose. ana THIS aioHe,that
ordered military iorcc 70 Kansas. to act
a. posse r""'f1'"< IN ':t'nS TIE ei'ii nag
I'tra,r 10 carry the laws MO execution. INC
condltioh 81 ~" Territory al Ina' uiii'' winch