Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-12-31
struchOns to DeaUsr.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

washington, DtceDtbeT II, 1897.
SIR: You have already been informed ihtt Mr.
Stanton has been removed from the office of Sec
r-t7ry of the Territory of Kansas, aud that you
have been appointed in his place. | desire now
to state you distinctly the of this change
The Convention which met at Lecompton on the
lst Of September bad framed a constitution, and
hal authorized its president submit the qu,s-
ton to the people the 2Ist Of D cember wheth-
eT th constitution should be adopted with or
without slavery. The importance of the issue
could not well be over estimated. Il involved the
complete and authoritative settlement of the only
subjrct of difference which had seriously agitated
Kansas, or interiered with its prosperity. The
qualified electors, therefore, 20 whom this settle
ment was referred, not only had An unquestiona-
ole right TO attend at IN polls and give their votes
on the day appointed, but they we're required to
do so by thu highest considerations Of public life.
In the exercise OF this right, moreover they were
entitled to adequate protection by the Territorial
governmp Mt aud the acti4g Governor was bound
TO employ all the legal aus at MS command 20
give curity and fairness 20 the election. With
the conflicting opinions which prevailed in the
Territory on the question submitted he had no
right to interfere. They had their appropriate is
at the ballot-boX and to th,t peaceful arbitra
ment they might safely be referred. The great
objects TO be accomplished, in the opinion of the
President, were TO preserve the peace of The Terri
tory and secure the freedom of the ell cliOu En-
teTtaningthese views, he surprised TO learn tn t
the Secretary and acting Cover or had on the
first OF December issued his proclaim ton for
special session of the Territorial Legislature on
the 7th instant, only few weeks in advance of
its regular time of meeting, and only fourteen
days before the decision was 10 be made on tn.
question submitted by the Convention. This
course Of Mr.. Stanton the President seriously b.
leves has .hroTR new element Of discord among
the ,xcited people Of Kansas; and il is directly at
wtr, therefore. with the peaceful policy OF the Ad-
ministratioH For this reason be has Il il bis duty
T9rD
understand what the President regards as the chief
duty which devOlves upon you Mr.. Stanton's
successor This duty is 10 preserve the peace Of
Kansas. Every person eutitlcd TO vote on the con-
stituto3 ought TO have safe access 10 the polls,
and 10 be free from any restraints whatever in the
exercise Of the elective franchise. e the civil
power Is ound insufficient for this purpose the
troops OF the United States should be employed In
aid Of IT,; and il may be a wise precaution TO have
them stationed In advance within reach Of those
places wh-rr, in judgm ut, their services are
likely to be required. 1t Is earnestly hoped
that tn use Of military power may be wholly avoid
ed. Violence i always less likely to occur Whef,
the means are known to be at hand for is PROMPT
suppression. Should the military force become
absolutely necessary 10 keep tn pace, you will
6ud fall instructions with reference 10 the proper
mode Of employing it il nv communications to
Governor Wtker Of March IS, July 20, aud Sep
temh ? 1857, aud iu those subs queutly written
70 Mr.. stanton. Of these last that OF November
S0ta wBs taken TO kansas By you, and you had
copy of IT, All Of them uiIl doubtless be found
in tue archives OF the Governor at L-compiou.
They feI prominently to the pres rvatou of
peace al certain important elections; but / need
hardly inform you that your duty Is not Intend
ed to b. couhned 20 those special occasions.
Il extends of course, the protection OF all CHI
IN the exercise II their just rights AMI applies
10 one Iegs election as well a. % another. The
Territorial Legislature Doubtless convened on the
Tth inst. snI VI bile it remains Ia session its mem
bJrs entitled TO be and free 10 their de
liberatous. Its rightlul action must always be Fs
spscted. Should il authorize election by the
people for any purposr, this election should be
held without interruption, lrss than those au
thorizej by the Convention. While the D ace Of
tae Territory is preserved and ihe freedom OF
81 ction is secured there need be fear Of dsas-
trus cons quences. The public journals cOutain
reports of an Intended movement by portion OF
Che residents 10 Kansss 10 orgauizs Revolutionary
govgrnme ~ undsF the fopeka constitution. Il j.
hartly prob Die tat this report b vel found
set; ont should the attempt b naie aud J. 81 20
practical Jlli-ioa sith the Territorial authorities
the authority % che Governments must Gee ssarily
be maintaine and iron Ehatestr quarter Il Is at
tempted 10 lnt Flrre y giornce Sifh the 81 ctiou
authorized oY the Constitutional oOuveHtion OF
which may hs authorized ~ tn Legisllture, the
attempt must be resisted, All the security Ol the
elections siBtaiued. The peace fbls progress Of
taesa rieetlous caa obviously occasion 10 injury 10
any citizen Of any party, because their resais can
have oaiy their due stlght sn1er the consultation
aad the lass Il j. 60 b. expeetet, therefore, that
20 EooI eiEizsn siu eudeaTor 10 iat- rf-fs uItn
them, hat that 81 ihr people Ill De eoatented
see the work Of the Convention pe4eeiuliy ear
ried oa d lis legitimate Fsul.s AID iairy presea-
I'D % tIe c0n,i1srsgioa Of Coagresa be Presi-
deaf relics upon your nrmnsss sod discretion 70
give fit 70 Oh Instructions. II + vitality ia-
postaui that the peopis ol hanssE, AID uoae other
Eaan the psople OF kaasas. shoali AsVe tie faiI
e ~ q ~ 80 .sa
decision. i i imparlant also tai sseaFing 20
thea sac protseloa 70 Ehieh they ere entitled,
gre4g sis0al1 be taken u0g 10 orsziEs am ll
gai authority. On fhi- poisg again ref ygu u
my Instructions 20 6osera0r W sikef aud seerstary
s. atoa. Falcn yoa u Eegsrd s direct h y0al-
seL Il : proper 20 a3d that 40 action q he Ter
Fitoglzl LesizlsEare aD0at % meet can snlsFisrs