Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-09-17
2-NO

Slavery existed at that period, and still
exists in Kansas under the constitution o
the United States. This point has at last
been finally settled by the highest tribuna
known to our laws. How it could ever
have beon seriously doubted is mystery
If a confederation of sovereign States ac-
qulre new territory at the expense of theil
common blood and treasure, surely one SCI
of the partners can have no right TO ex.
clude the other from its enjoyment, by
prohibiting them from taking into II what
soever is recognized to be property by the
common constitution. But when the peo.
pie, the bona Jfae residents of such terrific
ry, proceed to frame State constitution,
then it is their right to decide the impor-
tant question for themselves, whether they
will continue, modify, or abolish slavery
To them, and to them alone, does this ques-
lion belong, free from all foreign nterfe-
renee. In the opinion of the Territorial
Legislature of Kansas, the time had arrived
for entering the Union, and they accord
ingly passed a law to elect delegates
for the purpose of framing State Consti-
tuition.
The law was fair and just in all its pro-
visions. 1t conferred the right Of suffrage
on "every bona .fde inhabitant Of the Ter
ritory," and, for the purpose of preventing
fraud and the intrusion of citizens of near
or distant States, most properly confined
this right to those who had resided therein
three months previous to the election
Here fair opportunity was presented for
AL qualified resident citizens of the Terrific
rs, TO whatever organization they might
previously belonged, to participate in the
election and to express their opinions at
the ballot-box OH the question of slavery;
but numbers of lawless men still continued
to resist the Territorial government. They
refused either to be registered or to vote,
and the members of the convention were
elected legally and properly without their
Intervention. The convention will soon
assemble TO perform the solemn duty OF
framing a constitution for themselves and
their posterity, and, in the state OF incipi-
ent rebellion still exists in Kansas, ii is
my imperative duty 10 employ the troops
of the United States, should this become
necessary. in defending the convention
against violence whilst framing the consti-
tuition, and in protecting the bona .tde in
habitar's qualified to vote under the pro-
visions Of :his instrument in the free exer-
else OF the right Of suffrage, when it shall
be submitted to them for their appreciation
or rejection.
| have entire. confidence in Gov Walker
that the troops will not be employed except
TO resist actual aggression, or in the execu
ton Of the laws and then not until the power
of the civil magistrate shall prove unavail-
ing. Following the wise example of Mr.
Madison towards the Hartford convention,
illegal and dangerous combinations such as
that of the Topeka convention, will not be
disturbed. unless they shall attempt to per
form some act which will bring them
into actual collision with the constitution
and the laws. In that event they shall be
resisted and put down by the whole power
of the government. In performing this
duty shall have the appreciation of my
own conscience, and. as | humbly trust.
Of my God.
thank You forthe assurancethat you will
mot refrain from the prayer tha, Almighty
God will make my administration an exam
pie Of Justice and bene6cence."
You can greatly assist me in arriving at
this blessed consummation by exerting
your influence in allaying the existing sec
itonal excitement on the subjec; OF slavery,
which has been productive of much evil and
no good and which, if it could succeed in
attaining its object, would ruin the slave
as well as his master. This would be a
work of genuine philanthropy.
Every day of my life am to perform the
duties Of my high station without the con
tinued support of Divine Providence; yet.
placing my trust in Him, and in Him alone.
| entertain good hope that He will enable
me to do equal justice to all portions of the
Union. and thus render me an humble in
strument in restoring peace and harmony
among the people of the several States.
Yours very respectfully
JAMES BUcHANAx.
Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, d. D.; Few
Theodore ID. Woolesy. ID d, LID Hon.
HenryDutton; Rev. David Smith, ID. ID;
Rev. J. Hawes, ID D., and others
Eg- Look on the bright side of every
hing.