Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-07-24
GOVERNOR WALKERS PROCLAMATION

~ HE IEOIlIt Op La w RcNSE.
We invite the earnest attention of our readers 10
this w.ls.consdered. sensible and patriotic document.
which suhjon. 1t breathes throughout spirit Of
!orbearanca and expresses in every paragraph, no
man resolution and determination Of purpose. TEN.
pcred with discretion, ard an evident sense Of the
grave responsibility Ghich rests upon its author
This proclamation il n rebuke to the assail-
an;s Of Governor Walker: and it must pscs his
course in Kansas above the reptGAch Of dupcity or
ncapacity.
His position is embarrassing in the eAio,ls. Dan
gers and difficulties surround him; civil war s,ares
him in the face, hs own countrymeu may nov be up
III arms against h,a: and it is truly gratifying to
tha, he has r;sen equal TO the emergency. Daily de-
Ylopnen.s continue TO increase public confidence in
iis eninen: administrative ability, and his evdt Mt
determination TO enforce the federal laws and the
principles Of Cur government, at every hazard His
proclamation ID worthy of a statesman, patriot, Il
prudent and benevolent man, and fearless protec-
tor of The rights Of the people and the laws Of the
land. Let tho people read il, aud decide for them
selves whether Robert J. Walker is traitor to the
South, or IMPARTIAL pacific enc patriotic Governor
Of Ii turbulent territory.
pRocLAMArlGH TO THE PEOPLE OF LAwREScE.
LrArENwonIE. July lj.-I have learned that a
considerable number of The citizens of Lawrence, in
this Territory, have adopted, they claim, by po.
puar vote, charter Tor their local government. A
copy Of that charter has been placed in my hands;
upon comparing which with that granted 10y The Ter
ri'oria! Legislature last winter End that they differ
Intentionally in many essential particulars. The new
charter, tn"E ia SIT ~? not oay without any auhor
ty OF law Tut III direct and open defiance OF act Of
tho Territorial Legislature on the came subject.
GA this point yoar committee, whose views have
been accepted hy you, make the following statement
Under ordinary circumstances the more regular
method OF proceeding would be to obtain a charter
from the Territorial authorities. AS the Territorial
government, however, in sense represents The peo
pl. OF Kansas was no: elected by them and can have
no right 10 legslae for them. wa cannot accept
charter at its hands. Aud az the State government
has not, us yet deemed il advisable TO proceed to the
organization Of iucsl and municipal governments we
cannot obtSn charter from it, There is. therefore
left us only tho alternative OF charter springing d
rectiy from the people. acontinuance III our pre-
sen. unorganzed condition.
Under thes. circumstances you have seen ct to
instruct IA 20 present charter, having discussed its
provisions IN preliminary ass-,ublage, and now pro
poss Ia submit u to iull u thS people FOR appro
val or relection.'
1t will be perceived that the authority Of the Terri
toral government is here distinctly denied and whilst
that ut the So called STATE government is Gcknow.
lodged. is conceded that charter has been grant
ed by them. Indeed, il il fact that although this
so-csI!ed State government has, in Itself, no legal ex
stece or authority, We: you asked aud failed 10
ceve charter from them.
Under these circumstances, you have proceeded to
establish government for tho city of Lawrence in
direct defiance at the Territorial government, and de-
ny'ng It's .xistence or authority. You have granted
to this city government the authority to elect Mayor
aud Bosrd Of Aldermen, City Assessor, Treasurer,
Justices of the Peace, City Marshal &c. You have
granted TO the Mayor aud Aldermen most extensive
powers, Including the right levy and collect taxes
upon rea! aud personal property within the limits of
the city, whether belonging 10 residents resi-
DENTS and all the other powers usually incident TO
city government.
You have imposed upon al these officers the duty
Of taking an oath to support this called State Con
stuton, thus distinctly supersedng so far az in your
power, the Territorial Government created by tho
Congress of the United States. You have Caused
these proceedings ~ be printed in handful FORM and
have distributed them, ~ an Informed throughout
the Territory with the view to ince the other cities.
towns and counties OF kansas to establish insurrec
toasry goverumen;a, thereby placing the people
OF this Territory, Tar Ss III your power, in open
cuniic, with the Government o: the United States.
The more considerable portion OF your party hav.
ing induced your Topeka Legislature TO enact the
laws urged by you, creating municipal government
you have even in defiance of their authority which
you profess TO acknowledge, proceeded 10 create such
government for Lawrence, and are now Urging
o'ner localities 10 pursue similar course: Your
evident purpose is thus involve the whole Terrific
~ hssarrect;on, and to renew the of blood
s'eu stu civil war. Upon you, then. must rest all
'ue gun anu responsibility VI this contemplated re-
.olu.Ion: iou will be- justly chargesble in law aud
20 conscience with all the blood that may be shed IN
t"'es'' ana upon you must fall the punishment.
iou nave elected your officers under this charter
aud instructed them TO enter pon hs ;,umsd;ats dis
charge Of their duties including the sdonon of ordi