Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-12-24

one VINO cOncurS Win MIN IN hlS present
opinions, rather than 90 to Kansas, and
force him to remove me for my disobedi-
ence to his instructions.
In my Judgement it would be incompat-
lille with proper respect for the Chief Mag
istrate of the Union, and inconsistent with
the rules of moral rectitude and propriety,
and could be adopted with no advantage
to the rights of the people.
Some oppose it because the Constitu-
tion distinctly recognizes and adopts the
Oxford fraud apportioning the Legislative
members; others because unprecedented
and viceregal powers are given to the Pres
ident Of the Convention.
An overwhelming majority of the peo-
pie have no faith in the validity Of the re-
turns, and will not vote. Aany attempt
by Congress to force the Constitution OF
Kansas will be an effort to substitute the
will of small minority for an overwhelm-
ing majority, and will not settle the ques-
ton nor localize the issue.
Fears are to be entertained ofa civil war
extending perhaps throughout the Union,
bringing the question back again upon
Congress and before the people in a most
dangerous and alarming aspect.
The President takes different view of
the subject in his message.
Fiom the events occurring in Kansas, as
well as here, it is evident that the question
is passing from the theories into practice,
and that, as Governor of Kansas, l should
be compelled TO carry out new instructions,
differing on a vital question from those re-
ceived at the date of my appointment.
Such instructions l could not execute
consistently with my views of the Federal
Constitution, of the Kansas Nebraska bill,
OF with my pledges to the people Of Kan
sas.
Under these circumstances, no alterna
tive is left me but to resign my Office as
Governor of the Territory Of Kansas.
No one can more deeply regret than
myself this necessity, but it arises from no
change of opinion on my part. On the
contrary, should most cheerfully have re-
turned to Kansas to carry out my original
instructions, and thus preserve the peace of
the territory, and finally settle the Kansas
question by redeeming my pledges to the
people.
1t is not my intention to discuss at this
time the peculiar circumstances and unex-
pected events which have modified the
opinions of the President upon a point so
vital as a submission of the Constitution
for the ratification or rejection by vote of
the people, much less do desire any con-
troversy with the President on this sub
ject; yet, however widely my views may
differ from those entertained by him on this
question, as regards all those great Demo-
cratic measures, which l trust will consti-
tute the policy of his administration in 9th.
er respects it will give me pleasure, as a
private citizen, to yield my cordial support.
As late as the Sd of July, 1857, when
the Democratic Convention assembled at
Lecompton in consequence Of the laws, eli
mate, and will of the people, none conten-
ded that slavery could be established there
or wished it. Until my Southern oppo-
nent interfered in the affairs of Kansas, and
by denunciation, menace and otherwise,
aided at a critical period by several office
holders Of Kansas, including the Surveyor
General, the President of the Convention
with his immense patronage, embracing
many hundred employers, intervened, and
L believe, without the knowledge or appro-
baton of the President of the United
States, produced the extraordinary paper
called the Lecompton Constitution.
Yet this act of Intervention by the fed
eral officers to defeat the will of the people
seems to be sustained by my opponents,
whilst nv intervention, as it is called, in
obedience TO my duty and oath of office to
support the Federal Constitution and to
take care that our organic law should be
fairly executed, by endeavoring to secure TO
the people of Kansas their rights under
that act, is denounced and illuminated.
1t is still more extraordinary that the
hypothetical remarks made by me as re-
CARDS the climate in its connection with its
influence on the question of slavery, in
Kansas, after that issues had been aban-
doned there, which views were consolida-
ting the union between the conservative
free sta.e-men and pro-slavery Democrats,
so as to prevent the coniscation of the
small number of slaves then held in Kan
sas, have been denounced by many distin-
guished Southern Senators, who, when the
Kansas and Nebraska bill was pending in
Congress, and when such remarks from
them, if even they might affect Southern
emigration, were the loudest in proclaim
ing that because Of its climate, Kansas,
could never become a slave State.
Indeed, it seems that all persons, in and
out of Kansas, whether in public or private
life, may publish what opinions they please
in regard to these questions, except the
Governor of that Territory, who has so lit
tie power and no patronage.
Be pleased to express to the President
my deep regret as regards our unfortunate
difference of opinion in relatien to the Le-
compton Constitution, and say to him that
as infallibility does not belong TO man,
however exalted in intellect and purity of
intention or position, yet, if he has COM
mitted any errors in this respect may they
be overruled by the experimenting Provi-
dence, for the perpetuation of our Union
and the advancement of the honor and in
terest of our beloved country.
ROBERT ]. WALKER.