White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-08

cseds, as well as its peculiar character, have
deemed It proper to depart from my general rule
In such cases, and to give it an answer.
You first assert that the fundamental -princi-
pie Of the Constitution of the United States and
Of our political institutions is, 80 that the people
shall make their own laws and elect their ewn
rulers" You then express your grief and as
constituent that should have violated this prin-
ciple, and through Governor Walker, have en-
psoyed IN army, zone purpose Of which is to
force The people Of Kansas to obey lalcs not taeir
OsOH, nor Of the United States, but laws which it
Is notorious, established upon evidence, they
never made, and rulers they never elected
And, as corollary from the foregoing, you repre-
sent that am, openly held up and proclaimed
TO the great derogation of our national character
as violating in its most essential particular the
solemn oath to support the Constitution Of the
| Union"
These are heavy charges proceeding from gen.
tlemen Of your high character, and, if well foun.
ded, ought to eonsign my name to infamy. But
in proportion to their gravity, common justice,
to say nothing of Christian charity, required
that before making them you should have clear
iy asserted that they were well founded. If not,
they will rebound with whitening condemnation
upon their authors. Have you performed this
preliminary duty toward the man who, however
unworthy, is the Chief Magistrate of your coun.
tryf If so, either you or are labOring under .
strange delusiOn. Should this prove to be your
Tease, it will present a memorable example of the
truth that political prejudice is blind even to the
existence of the plainest and most paIpable his
torieal facts To these facts let US refer.
When entered upon the duties of the Pres
idential Office, On the 4th of March last, what
was the condition Of Kansasf This Territory
had been organized under the act of Congress,
Of 3Oth May, 1854, and the Government in all
its branches vas in full operation. A Governor,
Secretary Of the Territory, Chief Justice, two
Associate Justices, Marshal and District At
torney had been appointed by my predecessor,
by and with the advice and consent of the SEN
ate. and we're all engaged in discharging their
respective duties A Code of laws had been en-
acted by the Territorial Legislature, and the ju-
dietary we're employed in expOsndng and carry
ing these laws into effect 1t is quite true that
a controversy had previously arisen respecting
the validity of the election of members of the
Territorial Legislature and of the laws passed
by them; but, at the time entered upon nv Of
fetal duties, Congress had recognized this Leg
islature in different forms and by different en-
actments.
The delegate elected to the House of Repre-
seRtatives, under Territorial Law, had just COM
pleted his term Of service on the day previous
to my Inauguration. In fact, l found the govern
ment of Kansas as well established as that of
any other Territory. Under these circumstances,
what was my duty7 Was it not to sustain this
government TO protect it from the violence of
lawless men, who were determined either to rule
or ruini to prevent it from being overturned by
forcef-in the language Of the Constitution, TO
take care that the laws be faithfully e1ecutsdl'
It was for this purpose, and this alone, that or
dered military force to Kansas to act as posse
eOnatitus in aiding the civil magistrate to carry
the laws into execution.
The condition of the Territory at the time,
which Ineed not portray, rendered this precau-
ton absolutely necessary In this state of affairs,
would not have been justly condemned, had
left the Marshal and other officers of like char
acteI impotent to execute the process and judg-
ments of courts Of justice established by Con-
gress, or the Territorial Legislature under its
express authority, and thus have suffered the
iGo-~-,-,n,k - r.
tempt in the eyes Of the Psople1 And yet this
Is what you designate As forcing " the people OF
Kansas to obey laws not their own, nor of the
United States" and for doing which you have
denounced me as having violated my solemn
oath. ask, what else could have done, or
ought to have donel Would you have desired
that should abandon the Territorial govern
msnt, sanctioned as it has been by Congress, to
illegal violence, and thus renew the scenes Of
civil war and bloodshed which every patriot in
, the country had deplored1 This would, indeed
have been to violate my oath of Office, and to fI
damning blot on the character Of my Admin
istration.
. most cheerfully admit that the necessity for
sen;ing military force to Kansas, 70 aid in the
execution Off civil law, rejects no credit upon
the character of our country. Bullet the blame
: fall on the heads of the guilty. Whence did this
necessity arise7 A portion Of the people Of
Kansas, unwilling to trust the ballot-bOx the Ger
tain American remedy for the redress Of all grie'
vances-undertOok to create an independent
government for themselves. Had this attempt
proved successful, it would, Of course, have sub
verted the existing government, prescribed and
recognised by Congress, and substituted revo
lutionary government in its stead. This was 4
usurpation Of the same character as il would b
for portion Of the people Of Connecticut to IN
dertake to establish separate government with
in its chartered limits for the purpose Of redres
sing any grievance, real or imaginary, Of which
they night have complained against the legiti
mate State government. Such q principle, |
carried into execution, would destroy all Lawful
authority, and produce universal anarchy.
ought to specify more particularly condi
ton Of affairs, which have embraced only il
general terms, requiring the presence Of q mill
tary force In Kansas. The Congress ofthe Uni
ted States had most wisely declared it 10 b
1.-THE true intent and meaning Of this act 9TH
act organizing the Territory not to legisiat'
slavery into any Territory or State, nor to ex
e k,,4 A. aav ha r,aorla there