Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-04-08
NASHVILLE:


EAWmb0Ae
wehave heretofore advised our reader
that the Hon Robt j Walker Secretary
of the Treasury under Mr.. Polk has been
appointed Governor, and the Hon. f. p.
Stanton tformer member Of Congress from
this State) Secretary, Of the much vexed
anddistracted territory of Kansas. These
are both men of acknowledged ability, and
their appointment gives promise that quiet
viii be restored to that country under their
administration Although these gentlemen
may be considered as residents in the North
at the time Of their appointment they have
both lived at the South, and have In vari-
Gus ways, shared largely the confidence and
support Of the Southern people. Governor
Walker was born in Pennsylvania, but
lived IN Mississippi good many years pre-
yious TO lS45, when he became member
of Mr. Folks cabinet. For several years
past, he has been domieiled in New York,
These circumstances, connected with his
administrative abilities render him, probably
as we'll fitted for the post as any other man
in the Unioni and lead us to cherish the
hope that it will be fortunate for ths terri
tory aRd for the couptry at large. Several
of our Nortbern exchanges have expressed
entire satisfaction at the appointment.
1t is Impossible to tell whether Kansas
will come in as Q free OF slave State.
There seems yet to be strong determine
tion on the part Of the respective parties,
TO make it warm and exciting contest.
The free State men held convention at
Topeka, within the last month, and by res
elations insisted upon the validity of the
old Topeka constitution, and the conven-
tion 10y which it was framed and adopted;
and appointed agents to present it to the
ensuing Congress, and demand admission
as a State, upon it. 1t is plain, that there
will be much excitement, and fair field
for the exercise of Gov Walkers highest
abilities. 1t will be seen from his letter of
acceptance, which we subjoin, that he is
vested with an enlarged discretion; and is
determined that there shall be full and
fair expression of the popular will, in the
formation of their government. Whatever
may be the result, it will soon be settled,
and we hope finally. The convention to
form State constitution, we believe, is APP
pointed to be convened in September; and
will in all probability apply to the next
Congress for admission. We ardently hope
this may put final quietuS upon the agita-
ton which has so long afflicted US. We
here present the letter of Gov. Walker to
the President.
WASHINGTON, March &c, 1857.
Ny DEAR SIR: | have at your request, recon-
sidered my determination, as announced to
you, declining your tender Of the Office of Gov
ernOr 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, l have
country requires me to accept this position. |
am brought to this conclusion with an unaf
fected ditidence in, my own ability, but with
fervent hope that the same overriding Provi-
dence which has carried my beloved country
through so many perils will now attend and
direct my humble Efforts for her welfare, and
that my course will not be piejudged by any
portion of my fellow citizens in or Oat of Ksu
sas.
l understand that you and all your Cabinet
cordially concur in the opinion expressed by
me, that the actual, bona Jfde residents of the
Territory of Kansas, by a fair and regular vote,
unaffected by fraud or violence, must be per-
mitted, in adopting their State constitution, TO
decide for themselves what shall be their So
cial institutions. This is the great fundalnen-
tai principle of the act of Congress organizing
that Territory, affirmed by the Supreme Court
of the United STATES, and is in accordance with |
the views uniformly expressed by methrough- |
out my public career. contemplate peace
fol settlement Of this question by an appeal TO |
the intelligence and patriotism Of the whole |
people Of Kansas, who should all participate, |
freely aud fully, in this decision, and by ma
iority OF whose votes the determination must |
be made as the only proper and constitutional
mode of adjustment. er
l contemplate no appeal to military power, |
ia the hope that my Sountrynen OF Kansas, |
from every section, will submit TO decision |
OF this matter by full aud fair vote of ma
iority ofthe people of that Territory. Ii this |
decision cannot thus be made, see nothing 10 |
the future for Kansas but civil war, extending
its bsleful influence throughout tie country,
and subjecting the Union itself to imminent
hazard.
viii go, then, and endesvor thus to adjust
these difficulties, in the full confidence, SO
strongly expressed by you, that shall be sus-
tanned by all yonr own high authority, with
the cordial cooperation of oil your Cabinet.
| As IL viii be impossible for the To leave for
Kansas before the second Monday Of May next,
| woald desire my appointment TO take effect
| from that date.
Very respectfully, your friend,
R. J. WALKER.
JANIS BUCHANAN, President Of the Jnned
Statep.
The RaUIof.Rox I'm LOuiSfaua.