The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-29


lions of president Buchanan, through the Sc
cretary of state, general Cas-. to governor Wal
ker The instructions read as follow: THE
presidents Instructions to governor Walker,
through the secretary of state. The state OF
things in Kansas has caused the president great
solicitude. He is very anxious for the perma-
nent continuance OF the public peace, and for
the restoration of public confidence, SO that the
people Of that territory may enjoy tranquility
and the exercise Of all the rights which justly
belong to them. This effected, career OF
prosperity would be opened il consequence OF
the natural advantages of the counlry-pro-
badly not exceeded BY any other region in our
extensive territory. From causes not necessa-
ry to recaptulate, difficulties have existed there
occasioning great uneasiness everywhere, and
threatening most disastrous consequences. 1t
is believed that frmness and discretion in the
administration of the territorial government
will go far towards the permanent establish
ment of the peace which now prevails there,
and, it is hoped, will prevent its future disturb
ance.
in seeking to procure the services of cti-
zen qualified to undertake these responsible
duties with a prospect of success. the presi-
dent was gratffed to learn, when application
was made to you, that you were willing to ac-
cept the Office of governor of Kansas, and to
devote yourself to the execution of its import
ant duties In this feeling he is confident the
country will participate, and will find in your
distinguished public services and the high posi-
ton you have so ably filed, an assurance that
the measures you adopt will be well calculated
to assert the authority Of the law
The president was DESTROYS that you should
proceed Immediately to Kansas and enter upon
the discharge of the executive duties. But as
you had informed him in your letter of accept
snce that circumstances beyond your control
would render it impossible for you to leave
here before the second Monday of May next,
he assents to this delay, and trusts that imme-
dlately thereafter you will proceed to your gov
eminent and enter upon your duties. And
the presidenp the more readily assents to this
arrangement, because in the meantime F. ?.
Stanton, esq, will accept the Office Of secretary
of the territory, and, in your absence, will be
vested with all the powers of the executive
He will Immediately set out for Kansas. In
accepting the Office he has been animated by
the same motives which have prompted you to
make a sacrifice to the public interest, and he
will command the confidence OF the country by
his we'll known services and experience, and
by bis qualifications for the position.
Commissions for yourself and for him ac-
company these Instructions.
There are two great objects connected with
the present excitement growing out of The af-
fairs of Kansas, and the attainment Of which
will bring it to speedy termination. These
tx
dents recent inaugural address, and embody
the paragraphs in this communication, asking
your special attention to them. 1t is declared
in that instrumental be ''the imperative and in
duty of the government Of the Z.
States to secure to every resident the free and
expression of his opinion by his
vote. This sacred right of each individual
must be preserved" and that being accom-
plished, nothing can be fairer than to leave the
people of territory free from the foreign in
tluences, subject only to the constitution of the
United States
Upon these great rights ofindividual action
and of public decision rests the foundation OF
Institutions, and if they are faithfully
secured to the people of Kansas, the political
condition of the country will soon become quiet
and satisfactory. "The institutions of Kansas
should be established by the votes of the peo-
pie OF Kansas, unawed and uninterrupted by
force or fraud. And foreign voters must be
come whence they may, and every
attempt to overawe or interrupt the free exer-
Else af the right of voting must be promptly re-
PEELED and punished Freedom and safety for
he legal voters, and exclusion and punishment
or the illegal ones these should be great princi
pies of your administration.
The regular Legislature of the territory hav-
ng authorized the assembling Of convention
o frame constitution, to be accepted or rejected
y Congress-, under tile provisions Of the federal
the people of Kansas have the right
o be protected in the peaceful election of dele
gates for such a purpose, under such authority,
and the convention itself has right to similar
In the opportunity for tranquil and
lndisturbed dcliberalion. When such con-
tution shall be submitted to the people Of The ter
1tory, they must be protected in the exercise
IF their right OF voting for or against that in
;trument, and the fair expression of the popu-
al will must not be interrupted by fraud OF Vi
,lence.
The president concurs in the hope expressed
y you, that the Intervention of the military
oteS "tii Ho0 p0 AeIC9Haif Dub SIouIu ILLS just
be disappointed, he refers you for i,
he measures you must adopt and for the neces-
AIRY authority in that emergency to the instruc-
ions heretofore given by the president of the
United States and by this department to your
predecessors. Copies Of these instructions &C
company this communication, and two copies
# the instructions heretofore issued by the war
department., and of those issued byahe present
ecretary Of war respecting the employment of
he troops of the United States upon your re-
!uistion.
You will communicate freely with this de-
'artment from time to time, so that the presi-
lent may be kept informed as to the true state
# things in Kansas.
We have not room for extended comment up
n these instructions. 1t will be seen that Wal |
er is fully sustained, and hatit is folly for the
outh to hope anything from the administration
put in power Resident inhabitants'e that !
5, freesoilers, who may pour into the territory
Or a purpose, and declare themselves ..resi-
ents"-are to be protected the constitution of
Kansas, about to be framed, is ssto be accepted |
+ rejected by congress, under the provisions of
he federal constitution etc. Congress has
0 right to reject any con stitution, duly framed
It is 4eDu6l;cGD in ifs charactar-a faci Mr.