Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-04-08
Kansas.

The Washington Union OF yesterday con-
tains the following letter from the Hon Rob-
ert J. Walker It will be seen that he ac-
cepts the Governorship of Kansas. under
solemn sense of duty to his country. He also
announces the important fact, that the Presi-
dent and the Cabinet concur with him, that
the actual, bona tide residents of the Terrific
ry, by fair and regular vote, unaffected by
fraud or violence, must be permitted, in adop-
ting their constitution, to decide for themselves
what shall be their social institutions. The
new Governor will not take his departure be-
fore the second Monday of May
WASHINGTON, March Goth, 1857.
Ny Dear Sir Il have, at your request,
reconsidered my determination, as announced
to you, declining your tender of the Office Of
Governor of the Territory of Kansas In view
of the opinion now presented by you, that the
safety Of the Union may depend upon the Sc
lection of the individual to whom shall be as
signed the task of settling the difficulties which
again surround the Kansas question. have
concluded that solemn sense of duty to my
country requires me to ACCEPT this position =
am brought to this conclusion with an un-
affected diffidence in my own ability, but with
| fervent hope that the same oyer-ruling Pro-
vidence which has carried my beloved coun-
try through so many perils will now attend
and direct my humble efforts for her welfare.
and that my course will not be prejudged by
any portion of my fellow-citizens,, IN or out
Of Kansas.
1 understand that you. and all your cabi-
net, cordially concur in the opinion expressed
by me, that the actual, bona tide residents OF
| n II b. s. n ,1.r
I vote, unaffected by fraud or violence, must be
permitted, in adopting their State constitution
to decide for themselves what shall be their
social institutions This is the great funda-
mental principle of the act of Congress organ
izing that Territory, affirmed by the Supreme
Court of the United States, and is in accord
ance with the views uniformly expressed by
me throughout my public career. 1 contem
plate peaceful settlement of this question by
an appeal to the intelligence and patriotism o
the whole people of Kansas, who should al
participate, freely and fully in this decision
ard by majority of whose votes the deterini
nation must be made. as the only proper ant
constitutional mode of adjustment.
contemplate no appeal to military power
in the hope that my countfyman of Kansas
from every section, will submit to decision
of this matter by full and fair vote of ma
jority of the people of that Territory. If thi
, decision cannot thus be made. l see nothing il
the future for Kansas but civil war, extending
its baleful influence throughout the country
and subjecting the Union itself to imminen
hazard.
will go, then, and endeavor thus to adjus
r these difficulties, in the full confidence S
strongly expressed by you, that will be sus
tanned by all your own high authority. wit
the cordial cooperation Of all your cabinet.
AS it will be impossible for me to leave fc
Kansas before the second Monday Of Ma
next, would desire my appointment to tax
effect from that date.
q Very respectfully, your friend,
r. j. WALKER.
JAMES BUCHANAN, President of the Unite