Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-09-04
KANSAS AND GOVERNOR WALKER

The great mass of the people OF the
United States have no desire to pro-
long the political Disturbances in
Kansas, either for the benefit of spec
ulators in the Territory, or Of par
tisan politicians in the States. They
desire to sec peace, order, and pros
perity established in that fertile and
attractive region; and this, they
know, can never be accomplished SO
long as il is the arena on which the
political parties of the Union fight
their disturbing and embittered con-
tests. Since the last Presidential
election, the general feeling of the
whole country, has been that the
people of Kansas should be left TO
manage their own affairs--that the
admission or exclusion of Slavery
from their limits should be submit
ted TO their own decision, and that
the rhole people should be protected
in the expression of their will upon
it.
When Governor Walker went TO
Kansas, therefore, and declared his
determination TO secure this result, he
was sustained and warmly applauded
by the great mass of the people in all
sections of the country. Ultraists
and extremists Of both North and
South denounced him, for the evident
reason that tho Success of his policy
would deprive thnm of their main po-
litical stock in trade. But with the
great body Of tho people-those who
look to the triumph of principle,
rather than tho mere success ofpaity
Ibis promises and proclamations
were received as calculated 20 settle,
upon just, firm, and lasting basis,
the political affairs of Kansas. If
Governor Walker had gone boldly
and firmly forward in the execution
of these engagements,-paying no
attention % the clamors of politi-
clans or the hostility of sectionalists,
he would have accomplished his OBJ
ject and have secured for himself and
the Administration he served, a
marked degree of distinction and Of
popular favor. Ii is possible for him
TO do this yet We, certainly are not
among those who would judge him
rashly, or in advance Of his action.
We have no disposition TO condemn
or denounce his administration upon
suspicion, or upon any other evidence
than that Of clear and unmistakable
facts. But-wc are compelled to con-
Tess that events Of recent occurrence
have infused into the public mind n
decided distrust, either Of the up
Brightness and integrity Of his inten-
tions, or Of his ability to withstand
the adverse influences which are
brought TO bear upon him.
We have already referred to some
Of these occurrences, Ii is certainly
n circumstance well calculated to in
spire distrust, that, while the Admin
istration Processes desire to concili-
ate the mass Of the people, all its APP
pointments 10 office should have been
made from the clique Of ultraists who
have been mainly instrumental in
promoting the disturbances which
have been SO rife. For this, If Gov.
Walker is not responsible, President
Buchanan is. The action Of the
Grand Juries, moreover, in renewing
tho persecution under legal forms of
the Free-State men;--the promulga-
ton oxtrajudicial edicts by members
of the Judiciary and the efforts
made IN various quarters To embar-
rass the free action of the people, all
Indicate renewal of crusade
against that portion OF the inhabitants
who are in favor of making Kansas a
Free State. And yet il would be cv-
identity unfair 10 hold Governor
Walker responsible for all these
movements, as many Of them occur
in quarters over which he has no con.
troll, and some of them are directly
opposed TO his known wishes and en-.
deavors. Our Kansas correspondent
writes, for example, that Governor
Walker condemns and denounces
Judge Cato's declaration that non,
can vote ut the October election, OK,
cept those who shall have paid Oh,
Territorial tdr:-and that he is do
termined the bona fde inhabitants o
Kansas shall vote, IL they desire il
and shall be protected in voting
whether they have paid tho Terrific
rial tax or not. For many of thes,
instances Of misconduct Presiden'
Buchanan is much moro directly anC
culpably responsible than Governor
Walker, for he has the power TO pre-
vent and suppress them,--and yct
neglccts TO use it.--N. Y. Times.