The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-10

without Slavery, as their institution may pre-
scribe at the time of theii admission"
Slavery existed at that .eriod, aud still ex
lists, in Kansas, under the Constitution of the
United States. This pc; has at last been
finally settled by the high, t tribunal known to
our laws. how 1t could 'er have been seri-
ously doubted is myst, Y. If a confedera-
uon OF sovereign States a luire new Terrific
ry, at the expense of theis common blood and
treasure, surely one set : { the partners can
have no right to exclude i q other from it's en-
Joyment, by prohibiting m from taking into
1t whatever is recognised , be property bv the
common Constitution. B when the peonle-
the bona tide residents of uch Terr;torv[nro.
coed to frame State Col titution. Than 4 IL
their right to decide the il oortant Question for
themselves, whether they IN continue. modify /,
or abolish Slavery. To hem. and to them
alone, does this question long, free from all
foreign interference. q. o.
IN the opinion of the <ritorial Legislature
OF Kansas, the time has srriyed for entering
the Union, and they accor, ngly passed law to
elect delegates for the purp Sc Of framing State
Oohsutuuon. Ihis law Wi fair and Just in its
provisions. II conferred * he r;obt Of snffrage
on every bona fde inhabi, 5s,t of the Terr;tnryn
and, tor the purpose of DR., ,ntine fraud and the
Intrusion of citizens of ne or distant States.
most properly confined th right to those who
mao RESIDED therein three months previous to
the election. Here a fair opportunity uas pre.
scented for all the quaIifea resident citizens of
the Territory, to whates-. organization thew
mignt nave previously be- nged, to participate
IN tie election, and to exL sss their opinions az
the ballot-bo on the que. ION of Slavery. But
numbers of lawless men ill continued to re-
sist the regular Territorial Government. They
refused either to be regis cred or to vote, and
the members of the Cons ;ntion were elected.
legally and properly, with 1T their Intervention.
The Convention will soor assemble to perform
the solemn duty of frami Constitution for
themselves and their postt lily; and in the state
OF incipient rebellion whise, still exists in Kan
sas, it is my imperativeESiuty to employ the
troops of the United State4 should this become
necessary, in defending til Convention against
violence whilst framing 1ae Constitution, and
in protecting the bona fl, :. inhabitants" quail.
he'd to vote under the pro3sions of this instru,
ment, In the free exercise-,f the right of suf.
frage, when it shall be st,mitted to them for
their appreciation or rejec Jon. -
l have entire confidence in Gov. Walker.
that the troops will not be employed except to
resist actual aggression, or in the execution of
the laws; and this not until the power of the
civil magistrate shall prove unavailing. Fol-
lowing the wise example of Mr.. Madison to-
wards the Hartford Convention, illegal and
dangerous combinations, such as that of the
Topeka Convention, will not be disturbed, un.,
less they shall attempt to perform 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 perform
ing this duty, shall have the appreciation of
my own conscience, and, as humbly trust, of
my God.
thank you for the assurance that you willie
"not refrain from the prayer that Almighty
God will make my administration an example
of justice and benefcence You can greatly
assist me in arriving at shis blessed consum-
nation, by exerting your influence in allaying
the existing sectional excitement on the cub
ject of Slavery, which has been productive of
much evil and no good, and which, if it could
succeed in obtaining its object would ruin the
slave as we'll as his master. This would be
work of genuine philanthropy. Every day of
my life, l feel how inadequate am to perform
the duties of my high station, without the con.
tinued support of Divine Providence; yet, pla-
cling my trust in Him, and in Him alone, en-
terrain good hope that He will enable me to
do equal justice to all portions of the Union,
and thus render me an humble instrument in
restoring peace and harmony among the peo-
Pile of the several States.
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN. {