Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-12-26
Secretary Cass's Reply to Gov. Walker

Secretary Cass has replied to the letter with
which Gov. Walker accompanied his resigna-
ton, as follows =
SIR: On Wednesday last | received your COM
munication OF the 10Th rendering your resigna.
ton as governor Of Kansas. This resignation is
accompanied by long argument on the affairs
OF the territory generally, TO which You are well
aware it would be impossible for th. department
TO reply. II every officer Of the government who
feels himself constrained 10 refuse obedience to
The instructions of the President shall pursue this
unusual course and thus place on the files of the
appropriate department criticism on the policy
of the administration, no person knows better
than yourself TO what consequences this might
lead. They must either cause the charges and
arguments against the president to be filed among
the public archives of the country without con-
tradition or reply, or it must spend the time
which ought to be devoted to the public service
in controversies with subordinate officers who
may disapprove Of the Presidents policy.
Whilst duty, therefore, forbids me to enter in.
10 controversial discussion with you on the va
rious topics embraced by your argument, it is
proper that should make a remark upon sin
gle point You state that the President has
changed his policy in regard to Kansas. And
why this allegation Simply because the con-
venlion of Kansas, have in the exercise Of the
rights belonging to them, decided that they would
moi submit the whole constitution to the people,
although they had submitted the all important
and dangerous question OF slavery, which threat
ened to convulse the Union, and was alone prom
lneni in the minds OF the people throughout e''
cry State.
He had not treated the submission Of this mo-
mentous question as a mere nuty. Under these
circumstances ii was his imperative duty and
this in strict conformity with previous lnslIuc'
lions, TO take care that fair election be held on
this vital question and thus give peace to the
Union. lad he acted in any other manner
merely because he preferred the submission oil
the constitution originally 10 the people, bis IT,
sponsibility would have been of the gravest cbaf'
ac;er. He never intended or expressed the
opinion that the convention was bound to SUD-
nit any portion of the constitution to the people
except the question of slavery, much less 'na'
that portion would be invalid without such sub
mission. Had he entertained such an opinion
this would have been in opposition 10 the mum
erous precedcnts which have occurred since , ~
adoption OF the federal constitution by the di''
fercnt States
The question of slavery was the all-absorblne
question, and you were sent 10 Kansas with Iho
full confidence of the President 10 carry on. ,ne
principles of the Kansas Nebraska act WI"
The question of whether Kansas wa. to be Tree
or slave State you were not to interfere lou
were to secure to the people of Kansas ire'
and fair election TO decide the question for lhcl''
selves. The President was therefore happy 10
learn from your dispatches 10 this Department
July 18TH that in all your speeches YOU haa ~
framed from expressing any opinion as TO ~ne'"'
CT it should be slave or free State :.
am instructed to inform you that yonr reg,
nation of the office of governor OF Kansas h'
been accepted.
am sir,
LENS CASS,