The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-08-13
DIALOGUE BETWEEN FREE STATE MAN
AND GOVERNOR WALKER.
spondence of the New York Tribune.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN A FREE STATE MAN
AND GOVERNOR WALKER.
Correspondence of the New York Tribune
LAWRENCE, July "a, 1857.
1 yesterday asked Governor Walker, "Do
you consider us, in voting for the Topeka Con.
stitution at the August election, as assuming
position antagonistic to the United States Gov
ernment?"
Cor. Walker. "That election is either
wicked and Ubiquitous farce or reality 1t is
rebellious and insurrectionary, setting up q
Government against the Territorial Govern.
ment. As such, my duty and oath of Office re-.
quire me to put a stop to it. / must and will
do il. l went to Topeka when that Legislature
was in session, and requested them not to enact
laws; they concluded not to, except to take the
census and memorabilia Congress. have no
objection to either of those proceedings. 1 ad
NIT the right of petition"
Free State Nan. But, sir, regard the &C.
ton OF the people in voting for and presenting
TO Congress that Constitution as In substance
making the petition that Kansas be admitted
as a State"
Coo W. "Nothing of the kind, sir they are
merely making agitation for political purposes,
To forward their nefarious schemes, and ruin
the Democratic party. Most of the Northern
papers have committed themselves in my favor
In the very intelligent city of New York, bu.
one paper 1.-THE N. Z Tribune) remains in favor
of the Topeka movement There has been an
immense falling off in your Republican party.
SIR. This Lawrence movement is usurpation
of Government, produced for the purpose of
killing me, POLITICALLY and electing Black
Republican President IL 1860. 1t is done by
faction In lawrence, who obey the orders of
AbClitionists and Abolition societies at the
North-such men as these who manage and
support tie 7rilatae, the great fountain head of
the mischief. They can have no hope of being
admitted with the Topeka Constitution it is
impossible"
f. s. NJ. "But, sir. many of US think we
have well-grounded hope of being admitted
under it, as We expect to poll an overwhelming
msJority of the settlers in Its favor. Our inten,
tions are not treasonable. We merely express
our sentiments through the ballot-box We
make no collision with Tie laws of the United
States. We intend to vote in October, under
United States Law, which we should not do if
we previously simed to supersede it."
Cor. W. Z" You have no hope whatever. sir.
IN that Constitution. This Congress is opposed
to you. You should wait and vote on the Con.
stituion now about being framed. Your people
of Lawrence have tried three times to provoke
me to bring the troops here. First, they refused
to be assessed second, they refused to hold q
delegate election In June, took possession of
the polls. and prevented the citizens from yo.
ting C!D and now have refused to accept q
charter from the Territorial Legislature, but
have formed city government themselves-
an act OF rebellion against the Government
and laws, which must be suppressed. Your
people, under pretence of removing dead horses
and cats from the streets, have taken the posi-.
ton of rebels against the Government of the
United States, and actually compelled me to
come here with the troops. The sheriff has
made the assessment without valuation, as he
had a legal right to do.'
FS. NJ "But, cir, we hold that people ought
not to be taxed without representation. We have
not been represented in the Territorial Legisla.
ture. We regard the payment of this tax as con.
tributing money to usurpers to provide letters for
our own limbs. We regard bringing the troops
here as Pro-Slavery measure, calculated to
make unnecessary agitation both here and in
the States, to make political capital for certain
leaders, and retard Northern emigration. In
June, many of US were not registered, and con.
sequenty disfranchised; was not a voter, no
census having been taken in my neiphbor
hood"
Cor. w., (silent for few moments) "Your
Topeka Constitution is an imposition upon the
people, sir; 1t contains provision guaranty.
ing the property right in sil slaves now in the
Territory. Bot it is done covertly. Why not
openly avow it?"
r. S. N. "That clause proves that we are
not robbers; that we are disposed to regard the
property right to the few slaves now here, but
which will doubtless be removed by their own.
ers before this becomes free State. 1t cannot
be done coserty, if, as you assert, the face of
the instrument shows it."
Gov. w. now assumed the attitude of cham
pion of the Constitutional Convention, declared
it to be "the hope, object and aim of Adolf
tionists, that they should frame very ultra Pro-
Slavery Constitution, in order that the Nation.
al Democrats may be driven into opposition,
and thus elect Black Republican President in
1860, but their expectation will probably be dis
appointed"
he made the charge, unheard of before, that
the Free State men, at previous elections
have voted by proxy, one man throwing TWENTY
five or twenty-six votes and throughout three.
hours uversaticD, showed himself the shrewd
wary politician, rather than the statesman. he
also reiterated his former promises, that the
ballot-box should be restored to the people in
October. In this he appears to be sincere
] drew his attention TO the fact that coward
" and brutal attempt to assassnate me had
recently been made by Territorial cffi,er, in
the presence of United States commissioner,
also Justice of the Peace, y who refused me
warrant for his arrest, and bogus sheriff pres
ent declined 10 take the ruf6an into custody.
asked the Governor what means now possess
for legal redress. He frankly acknowledged
tina. be dil not haouc.
How Walker could suppose a provocation
existed to bring the troops here on account of
the refusal Of TIE people to be assessed, when,
as he asserts, thu sheriff had legal right to
make tbs assessment without valuation, / leave
him TO eSpiain. Bat boldly assert that the
people here cid nos prevent the opening of the
polls. The fac; was, nobody wanted the cleo
tion enough I'd act az its judges. Gov Walker
makes trorninen; point in his case of the as
sersion that the city charter requires the city
officers to take cath to support the Topeka
Constitution. This charge is not well founded.
The ioifn of oath is similar to that in use in
several of the States, and binds the officer to
support the Constitution of the United States
and q of this State" The expression " Of this
S,ase~ is perfectly harmless, as il cannot be
expected aud is not intended to contain any
vital force until this becomes State, and will