Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-08-12

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1857.
Gov. walker retIres from Lavvremce.


ing his hostility to the institutions of the
South, and thereby bringing upon himself
the general condemnation of the South, he
made clustering attempt to regain South
ern confidence, by marching at the head of
a detachment of United States troops up
on the town of Lawrence, to suppress what
he termed "treasonabIe and insurrec-
tionary" movement on the part of the peo-
pie. Let US see what that movement was.
One of our city papers whether it IS a
friend or a foe to Gov. Walkers course,
we are unable to decide) gave version of
it, which was erroneous in point Of fact.
1t stated that the regular Territorial LIE
giSlature, had passed a charter for the mu-
nicipal government of Lawrence, and that
the Topeka Legislature had also granted a
charter for the same purpose; that the
people of the town had refused to recog-
nize the former and were proceeding to or
ganize under the latter, and were refusing
to pay taxes, &c; and that it was for this
Walker had issued his proclamation, and
marched upon the town. The first part of
the statement is true, that the Territorial
Legislature granted a charter to the town
of Lawrence, and this the people refused
to recognise, as they did all other laws of
that body. The Republican or free State
party have always denied the authority of
that body, and constantly and consistently
refused to recognize any of its acts as
binding. The Topeka Legislature did not
grant town charter to Lawrence, and
the people being, according to their view,
without a charter, met together and franz
ed one for themselVes-frst referring the
subject to a committee, and afterwards rat
flying and confirming the action of the
committee. AS to the payment of taxes,
they had expressed their intention to resist
their payment, but no demand had ever
been lawfully made upon them, that we
know of, for their payment. This is the
sum and substance of the Lawrence treas
on and rebellion. We do not Justify or
defend the course of these people, but we
give these facts to rectify erroneous i'm
pressions, and to show that the people of
Lawrence were only acting as they had
previously acted, and as the Topeka or
free-State party had been acting all over
the territory, both before and after Walk
er's arrival
But Gov. Walker, with all the furious
warmth of an out and out bravado, a per-
feet impersonation of Bombastes Furioso,
put forth a threatning proclamation, and
forthwith mustered number of Dragons,
marched upon the town, and encamped up
on an eminence favorable to its lombard
ment. He remained encamped here for
about two weeks. Some of the more cred
ulous Southern journals began to believe
that Walker really possessed a welljointed
backbone, and was about to Vindicate him
self and the rights of the South by an
armed crusade against the fanatics. In the
meantime the people of Lawrence, pro-
ceeded quietly with their ordinary pursuits;
their city government was organized under
the irown charter; the Mayor and Common
Council were elected; the Mayor sent in
his message; the people all the while hav-
ing no communication with the Governor,
and showing as thorough Indifference
to his presence, as they had done to
the laws of the Territorial Legislature.
On Monday morning the Sd inst, at 8
o'clock, the Kansas Chieftain, broke up
his encampment, and marched away from
Lawrence. This was done under a preteXt
of demand for troops at Fort Riley, to
repel Indian aggressions. Thus briefly
is written the history of the Lawrence re-
belion, and Gov Walkers shame. We
have never seen anything in real life half
so ridiculous, so miserably pitiful. 1t is
the most transparent humbug, that could
possibly have entered the brain of any one
having any credit for ability or discretion.
But there is another fact which intensi
fes the disgracefulness of the proceeding.
On Monday, the very day on which Wal
ker retired from Lawrence, there was a gen
eral election to be held by the Topeka par
ty, for delegate to Congress, members of
the Legislature, and for the ratification or
rejection of the Topeka State Constitution.
This was not only an open denial of the
Territorial laws, but an overt act tramp
ling them under foot. The whole free
State party were arrayed in defiance of
and rebellion to the laws, which, in his pro-
Gov. Walker said his oath of
Office compelled him to maintain and en-
force. And yet in disregard of his Office
and his oath, at this conjuncture, when the
voting was about to commence under his
nose, in the town of Lawrence, and he had
nearly a regiment of Dragons at his back,
he averted his eyes from the sight, closed
his ears against these thunder tones of trea-
son and rebellion, and retreated from the
feldl What estimate can now be formed
of Gov. Walkers character
"There never was a political party which promi-
ses such protection to the South and security TO the
UuOn aud whose actions are characterized by such
exalted love of country and nuritv pf motiye a.