Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-31
LETTER FROM Hoy. joins B. FLOYD.

WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 70, 1891
Gentlemen | have received the invitation
with which you have honored me, to attend a
public meeting to be held in Philadelphia to-
night, called to- endorse the policy Of the Ad-
mInistratiOn in Kansas. L regret that | am
obliged by official engagements to decline it,
Ii would afford me especial pleasure to partic-
pats with the people of your great city in a
movement intended to give the uthentic stamp
OF Democratic sanction, to policy which has
been conforned to the laws of the country, and
has had no other end than the peace and har-
mony Of the Union.
Whatever option citizens of the country may
feel themselves authorized to exercise in ap-
proving or dissenting from the policy of the
President in regard to Kansas, the written
laws Of the land had left him, at least, none in
deciding upon his course of conduct. The
kansas-Ne ebrsska ac; had prohibited Congress
from interfering in the domestic affairs of
Kansas, and provided that the people Of the
Territory should be left perfectly free to form
their domestic institution in their own way :;
the Legislative history Of the act showing il to
have been contemplated that this might be
done by representatives chosen for the pur-
pose. The Legislature of Kansas, which met
next after the passage Of the act, had accord
ingIy provided, that in October, 1856, at the
general election Of the Territory, the people
should vote whether Convention for forming
n Constitution should be called or not. The
people OF the Territory had, at this election,
decided by q large majority, that a COnyen-
ton should he called. The next succeeding
Territorial Legislature had, in pursuance Of
this vote, enacted a law providing for the cen
sus of the people and registry Of voters, and
for the election Of Convention. The prOvis-
ions Of this law were complied with and Con-
yentiOn elected. The Convention assembled,
formed Constitution, and in the exercise of n
customary discretion, had decided to submit
the leading question Of controversy embodied
in the instrument-that Of slayery-tO the de-
cisiOn Of the people. The proceedings, from
beginning tn end, had thus been pu rsuant to
Law. The forms had been regular, authOrita-
tive, customary, legal, constitutional. What
over irregularities in detail, or abuses in the
execution of particular and minor provisions
had occurred, IL any occurred, were such as
only the local authorities could take coSni-
rance of and correct. Throughout these trans
actions there was but one question Of conflict
ing opinion which Congress was not prohibited,
either by the letter or spirit Of the Nebraska
Kansas act, from interfering TO decide-and
that was in regard to the time when the inhab-
itants Of the Territory would be competent To
organize themselves into q State and apply fol
admission into the Union. Even on this ques-
tics, Congress had expressed an opinion, affirm
ins in advance, the decision made by The
people Of the Territory in October, 1896. Fol
bills authorizing the election Of u aConsututiOna
Convention in Kansas had passed each House
Of Congress in the summsr preceding the bill
"f each House falling in the ether through