Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-31
THE CABINET on THE KANSAS CUES.
TION.

THE CABlNLI ON THE KANSAS QUES-
TION.
Rslor will be found the replies of some Of the
u,smbers Of President Buchanan's Cabinet to
;oritstiOns to attend the recent great and
Glorious Democratic meeting in Philadelphia,
% rsspond to the Presidents late annual mes
s.vs We publish them in the order in which
We ind them printed in the PsnnSyiranian of
the day before yesterday. To-morrow's Star
will contain the balance
LETTER PROM Hon. LEWIS CAss.
WASHINGTON, Dec 26, 1856.
GENTLEMEN: My public duties will prevent
IN. from joining the numerous assemblaye
which on Monday evening will meet in your
city 10 endorse the first annual message of Jas
Bushanan, who is the more entitled to the kind
consideration Of a Pennsylvania meeting, as he
was transferred by the American people from
that faithful State, which binds us all together.
70 the Presidency of this great Confederation
Especially is it your declared object to endorse
that part of the message which recommends
- the speedy admission Of Kansas as a State
under q Constitution formed in pursuance Of
lawful authority / thank you for remember
ing me among those to be united upon this oc-
cas:on; snd though l cannot be with you, vet
shall regard your proceedings with deep inter
est and with the firm conviction that the well
come plaudit, "Well done, thou good and faith
ful servant, will be pronounced with one voice
BY the assembled thousands and will be borne
TO the remOtest parts Of the Republic and find
its response In the hearts of the American De-
mocracy. Such Judgment Of approval is due
to your eminent fellow-citizen, not less for his
past services and his present position than for
his efforts to maintain at this slime the true
principles of self-government. While his policy
has been condemned, his motives have been ar
raigned, but be may well appeal in his justif-
cation to the efficient services of long life now
drawing to a close, and which offers him no re-
ward he would accept at the expiration of his
constitutional term Of Offics, but the confidence
and gratitude Of his country and the approba-
tion Of his own conscience.
II is good for the American people to come
together in times of doubt and difficulty. Our
fathers did so In the more trying scenes through
which thSy passed, and may our sons do so like
wise, should those evil days come upon them.
from which no people can be wholly exempt
Theseigreat cOnvOcatiOns of the intelligence and
patriotism Of the country are the tribunals TO
judge public men and measures and to approve
or condemn. as circumstances may Justify and
their judgment is rendered the more effectual
by imposing numbers, by free discussion. and
By the nature of their proceedings. The admis-
siOn Of Kansas into the Union upon the princi-
pies advocated in the message is one of those
great questions which appeal at once to the rea-
may well challenge your deliLeration and ac-
tion- The addition of another member to our
Confederacy Is an event full of hope fulfil
ment Of the promises OF the past, and a pledge
Of the gl0ries of the future. And il is like ise
a peaceable and efectual remedy for the evils
to whien our system Of government is exposed.
As long as a Territorial organization exists the
country il embraces will feel the effect of exter-
nal influence In important questions, and efforts
In control them will be continually made what
ever perils may be in the way of the interfer-
ence- Such now Is the condition of Kansas and
no just and patriotic man can contemplate that
condition without serious apprehension By
the mercy Of God, rather than by our own wis
dom and fOrbearanee, we have thus far escaped
that last sectional controversy. which, when il
comes, msy bring with il the destruction Of this
fair fabric Of political freedom.
But We have a security against this danger
If We can consent 10 abandon this fearful c,n-
trorersy and adopt 1t, and that is the admis-
sion Of Kansas into the Union under a consti-
tahon tor ned In pursuance of lawful authority
as prominently put forward in the message
Pass a law for the conversion Of the Territory
into State, and you say at once to the danger
GUS andeOnhicting elements, Peace, be still :"
IAe storm will be hushed, the institutions of
the country, whether domestic or political will
he regulated by the people Of the country, and
but few brief months will pass away before
peace and quiet will be restored and this
alarming contest remembered only for the les
sOn Of fOrbeaTance it would ineulcate This i,
precisely the view taken of the subject by The
President, and L trust, gentlemen, L do not
doubt indeed, that the same view will be taken
oy the patriotic citizens TO be assembled with
IN sight Of the Hall Of Independence to delib-
crate -aPOn tho condition the Country, and
70 pa" judgment upon the course OF the Chief
Magistrate.
| an, gentlemen, with great respect, your
ooedlent servant LEWIS CAss
10 GEORGE Pitt, Esq, and others, Com
nittee
LITTER FROM The HoS HOWELL CoBB.
WAsHISGrOS CRY, Dec 2S. 1857.
'ENrLENES / regret that il will not be in
10! power tn be present at your proposed meet
ing on Monday next IL would give mo sin
esre pleasure TO unite with you in endorsing
me 1essage Of the President, aud - especially
tnat part Of II recommending the speedy ad
MISSION Of Kansas as a State, under a cOD.titu
yion iorned IN pursuance Of law ul authority"
iVa aFe rightly construed the message. The
Poliey Of the administration in regard 10 Kan
ne legitimate result of the principles
1Poh Which Mr. Buchanan was elected In
oghlung the legality of the Leconpton Con-
Ion' and recommending the admission of
Hss as a State In the MON, in conformity
Le action Of that Convention, the President
S giFsh 70 the country the assurance Of his
go sna hxed purpose to carry out in good
on R.le le great principle incorporated into the
= - -. olIi Of allowing the people Of Kansss
fHe The question OF slavery for them
80 and In their own way. lie has care
Ao'iained from the exercise Of any iDfiu-
ether directly or indirectly to make Kan
L Nee or a slave State; his whole policy
T7en characterized with an earnest desire
e.. ,e The people thereof = perfectly free 10
Neir own domestic institutions in their
10y. You meet 30 respond to and en-
i.hs hs policy and IN 20 doing you only re-
80 -. tne principles Of the Democratic party,
sI@ihed In the Nebraska Kansas bill. sf-
- The Cincinnati platforp, and every
I'M. maintained By the Democracy Of the
Aahsls has been the fruitful source of ex
me, issues Political parties and public
tn lAFe fallen in the contest They were
Unequal to the occasion, and have passed
otb:, make room for other organizations and