The weekly Minnesotian., 1857-12-05
ss,rhe Plain why and Because---More
nr m. pioneers Kansas Article

State Of the Kansas Question" In calling 1t
remarkable. we do so both on account OF the
,,os;t;o, II assumes adverse to the action OF
the National Democracy of Kansas, backed
Nm by the National Democracy Of the South,
and ON account of the boldness with which
it maintains its position, even to threatening
Mr.. BUCHANAN with cruci6xion if he shall
take the opposite course. AS a piece of po-
litcal history, we copy below what it says IN
reference to Mr.. BucHANAN's position
We believe this to be the only honorable
course to be pursued, either in justice to the
people of Kansas, or to the integrity and con-
sistency off the Democratic party. We there.
tore discredt the telegraphic rumor that the
Administration approves of and will sustain
the action of the Convention OF Kansas IN
withholding the Constitution adopted by it
from vote of the people. We discredit the
| rumor-
Because, The Kansas Nebraska Act, which
passed Congress in 1854, positively asserted
that it was not the intention of that act to
.'legislate slavery into any Territory or State,
nor exclude it therefrom but to leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and reg
ulate their domestic institutions in their own
way, subject only to the Constitution of the
United States.'
Because, At the Democratic National Con-
vention, held in June, 1856, when MIR. b.
| cHANAN was nominated for the Presidency,
the following solemn declaration was unani-
mously made:
I" Resolred That we recognize the right of
| the people of all the Territories, including
! Kansas and Nebraska, acting through the
fairly EXPRESSED (not implied) will of the ma
| jority of actual residents, and whenever the
number of their inhabitants justities it, to
! form constitution, with or without domeS-
tic slavery, and be admitted into the Union
! upon terms of perfect equality with the other
! States.
Because, Mr.. BUCHANAN in accepting the
nomination, unequivocallp pledged himself to
| faithful execution of the act of Congress OF
t 1854, and to be guided in his administration
| by the resolve of the Cincinnati Convention.
I Because, Mr.. BUCHANAN, in his inaugural
address. after referring to the question Of the
time of the admission of State as unimpor-
! tant uses this emphatic language:
/ "rhis is, happily, a matter of but little
pract,cal Importance Besides it is judicial
question. which legitimately belongs to the
| Supreme Court of the United States, before
whom it is now pending, and will, it is under
stood, be speedily and finally settled. TO
their decision in common with all good cltl-
zens, shall cheerfully submit, whatever this
may be, though it has ever been nay indyidu.
al opinion that, under the Nebraska Kansas
Act, the appropriate period will be when the
number of actual residents in the Territory
shall Justify the formation of Constitution
with view to its admission as State INTO
the Union. But be this as it may, it Is the
imperative and indispensable duty of the Gov
e-nment of the United States to secure to
every resident inhabitant the free independent
expression of his opinion by his vote. THIS
| SACRED RIGHT OF EACH INDIVIDUAL MUST BE
PRESERVED!
Because, Mr.. Buchanan appointed the II on.
Robert j. Walker Governor of Kansas, after
the latter had stated the grounds upon
which he would accept the position-after
he had addressed a letter to the President,
declaring the principles which he understood
would govern the Administration in the set
tlement of the Kansas difficulties-by which
the President, in thus cOnferrlng the appoint
ment. became bound to see faithfully carried
into effect-and which, as stated by Gov.
Walker, are as follows:
Il understand that you and all your cabinet
cordially concur in the opinion expressed by
me that the actual bona fde residents of the
Territory of Kansas by a frir and regular cote
unaffected by .fraud or uiolence, must be per-
mittcd in Adopting their State Constitution to
decide for themselves what shall be their So
cial institutions. This is the great funda-
mental principle of the act of Congress or-
ganizing that Territory, affirmed by the Su-
preme Court of the United States, and is in
accordance with the views uniformly express
ed by me throughout my public career. /
contemplate peaceful solution of this ques-
: ton by an appeal to the intelligence and pat
riotsm of the people of Kansas, who should
,, participate freely and fully in this decision,
and by a majority of whose votes the decis-
ion must be made, as the only proper and
constitutional mode of adjustment.
T, II will go then and endcavOr to adjust
. these difficulties, in the full confidence, as
; strongly expressed by you, that wM be sus-
tanned by all yOur o,on high authority, with
the cordial cooperation of all your cabiuet.'
Because. Mr.. Buchanan, after thus appoint
ing Gov. Walker, upon the expressed views
of that gentleman, sent after him written in
. structions, among which occurs the follow
, ing:
= 1.-THE institutions Of Kansas should be es
/. tablished by the eotes Of the people of Kan
' sas, unawed and uninterrupted by force ol
fraud.
"The regular Legislature of the Territory
having authorized the assembling of con
vention to frame , constitution. to be accept
ed or rejected by Congress, under the pro
visions of the Federal Constitution, the peo
J, pie of Kansas have to be protected in tn,
l. pea -efnl electr Of delegates for such pur
- pose, under such authority, and the conven
h ton itself has right to similar protection i,
t the opportunity for tranquil and undlsturbet
:. dcberation W'hen such Consitmion shal
l. be submitted 10 the people Of the Territory the,
l. must be protected in the exercise Of tei
$ yiqlt of Uoiinq for or against tile instrument
o and the fair expression Of the popular vii
h must not be interrupted by fraud or VIC
G lence.'
d Because, Mr.. Buchanan, in bis letter to tn
& Connecticut clergymen, in defining bis mo
l. tives and justifying his action in sendin!
h troops to Kansas, adds:
= "The convention will socn assemble to per
1 form the solemn duty of framing constitu
le ton for themselves and their posteritv ant
N in the state Of Icipient rebellion which still
re exists in Kansas, it is nay imperative duty t.
g employ the troops of the United States
is should this become necessary in defending
Is the convention against violence whilst fran
T. ing the constitution, and in protecting tn
D. "bona .fde Inhabitants qualified to vot
s, under the provisions of this instrument il
Us the free exercise of their right of suffrag
I'd when it shall be submitted tG them for thei
u appreciation or rejection"
Of Because, Gov. Walker,-having been ar
pointed Governor of Kansas, after full in
terchanre and argument of views betwee