The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-10-06

people cf the territory that Fundamental right
of the constitutional right guarded by an
express law of Congress-the right "to make
their own laws and elect their own rulers"-
no law to be taken care of in giving to Con-
gress information at least of the state Of the
Union, and especially in recommending nec-
essary and expedient measures for tho relief
of the people of Kansas, from the injustice,
the oppression and the barbarites to which
they were subjected? Had then Great Brit
ain any such laws to take care Of in France,
when the present Emperor was enthroned
there by usurpation, rs those which our gov
ernment-our President-was bound to take
care of in our own territory? In utter neg
lect of these laws, have you not, with full
knowledge of the nature OF this usurpation,
its organ, its progress, its violation OF the
constitution and of fundamental rights, its
violence, its rapine, Its massacres, its conf1a-
grafton, and It's shame, sustained at every
step its authors and abettors to this hour?-
Have YOU not sanctioned such conduct by pla-
cling, or retaining, prominent leaders therein
| in official stations?
Again: Are the troubles and caamities Of
Kansas the legitimate results of the wise ad-
ministration-of the true and right working,
in such an exigency-of our national govern
ment?- ?-the most perfect specimen Of gov
ernment the world has seen-to our own ad-
miratiop, the perfection OF excellence. Sure
ly, such results bespeak some arrangement,
somo disturbing force in the evolutons OF
machinery SO fitted to do good, so powerful
to its high design.
But II your example in administration,
and that of your predecessor in office, are to
be followed in future, whenever similar cases
shall occur; if every ursurpation of power,
when it has gained a temporary success, Is
thenceforth to be backed by the whole power
of the federal government, and forced upon
the indignant people on whom, by fraud or
violence. it had imposed ITSELF where will
the end bes How often will such crisis ac-
tually occur, resulting from the very nature
of our government, with such principle IN
its administration to originate and foster
them? What temptation to party spirit,
thus unrestrained, emboldened, upheld by
the government Of the nation, would be fur
nished to carry out its schemes and its tri-
umphs in violence and bloodshed? What
shall hinder? Let the administration OF the
government change hands-and such changes
may be frequent-how surely would the same
contests be re-enacted by way of repriscis tor
past injuries and expressions? How would
such contests be repeated in territories and
in states till, to your own mind, would be
revealed in the very principle which you as
sumo, weakness in our government foretel-
ling its speedy dissolution.
Of the particular consideration by which
you have cndeavored to support tso funda-
mental principle of your reply, the first which
Al. hnnx n
on your official duties. Congress had recog'
nized the legislature (of Kansas) in different
enactments" Had you informed your mem,
oralists what these different enactments'
were, they might have been made the sub
iect of distinct examination. As it is, they
can only say that they know Of no "forms o.
enactments'' of Congress which could bt
binding on you as authoritative, or whlcl
YOU had reason even to regard as evidences
of the validity of that Legislature Do you
refer to the act by which the usual appropri
ations from the treasury were made. Every
one knows in what manner and for what rea
son that act was passed and that many who
voted for it regarded, and still regard, the
territorial legislature as downright usurpation
nor had they any suspicion that they were
, recognizing its validity. How this bill car
invest an act Of usurpation with authority
your memoralists are unable 10 discover
{ What .f the legislature of Connecticut had
urder the excitement of party strife, even o.
n formal act recognized the usurpation which
YOU have supposed; might not the Govcrno
Justly fall back upon his own official prero
y oatiye, call out the militia, and suppress
/ the rebellion! If he would be bound to rec
. oonzc such an usurpatlon rs government
o having authority, when could he ever sur
y press il without himself becoming rebel a
, oainst the very authority which he recog
nizosg Applv this illustration to the Pres
q idnnt Of the United States, and you will sec
hat the fundamental principle Of all you
n reasoning is absolutely suicidal ana thus rel rel
= dcrs nugatory your entire vlndicatioh' VI
Is not President Jackson, on his own oihci'
n responsibility as National Executive, set
If defiance alike the power, and authority oil
l. "Sovereign Statep And can tentor
k government rank with an independent stat
,f Sovereignty? Can border ruffanism, py
n act of Congress, become eutitled TO resPe
J. and support, as a rightful law-making powe
a from tho President Of the United states
The case is too flagrant. The fact Is too not
n rious. No truly independent, selt-relyin
"a President, who understood his official perog
,e tive, and his duty under the Constltutio
ID would have hesitated to disregard even
Mt rect act of Congress so tyran'cally and oppr'
o. sive, and appeal to his country and tho wor
- for his vindication.
lis But no such trying emergency was nc
le presented. With the solemn decision OF I
no House of Representatives, after long inves
III CATION, that the Legislature of Kansas h
Al had no authority, and that its laws were
nd laws, with that circuit, positive and unlmpea.t
no able evidences before you, your memonali
at cannot but express their surprise that y
mis- have relied upon your construction OF I'M
m rect inconclusive acts of that same body,
rat evidence of the authority of that legislatu
w. They know of no rule Of law by which
cts you can act up constructive, inferential e
,ot idence against direct and positive ev'de'
De-