Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-12-25


opinion, rather than to 60 70 Kansas, and
forco him 20 rcmovc mo for my dlsobedi-
ence to his instructions. IN
In my judgement, it would be iucompat-
lille with proper respect for the Chief Mag
istratc Of tho Union, aud ineonsisidaf with
tho rules of moral rectiiude aud propricty,|
and could be adopted with no advantage TO
the rights Of the people.
Some oppose il because the constitution
distinctly recognizes and adoptsthe Oxford
fraud apportipuipg the Legislative mem
bers; others because unprecedented and
viccrcgal powers are given to the President
of the convention.
An overwhelming majority Of the peo-
pie have NJ faith in the validity, Of the re-
turns and will not vote. Any attempt by
Conyfess To force the constitution Of Kan
srs Will bc an effort to substitute the will
Of n small minority for an overwhelming
majority, and win not settle the question
nor localize the issue. 9''"''
Fears are to be entertained of q civil war,
perhaps throughout the Union,
bringing the question back again upon Con
geroas and ahrming aspect.
8i The President takes a different view Of
the subject 10 his message.
bir From the events occurring in Kansas, as
well as here, il is evident that the question
is passing from theories into practice, and
that, rs Governor Of Kansas, should be
compelled 20 carry out new Instructions,
differing on atita question from those re-
ceivcd at tlio date of my appointment.
Sach Instructions could not execute
consistently with my views of the Federal
constitution, of the Kansas Nebraska bill, or
with my pledges 70 the people of Kansas.
Under these circumstances no alternative
is left me but to resign my Office rs Cover
nor of the territory of Kansas.
| a No one can moro deeply regret than my
self this necessity, but it arises from nc
change of opinion on my part. On tho
contrary, should most cheerfully have re.
turned to Kansas TO carry out my original
instructions, aud thus preserve the peace of
I the territory, and finally settle the Kansas
question by redeeming my pledges to the
people, ID 9o
II is not my intention to discuss at this
time tho peculiar circumstances and unex
pected events which have modified tho
opinions Of the President upon a point 81
vital as a submission Of the constitution fol
the ratification or rejection by q vote of tho
people, much less DO l desire any contro
rersy with the President on this subject; yet
however widely my views may differ from
those entertained by him on this question
as regards all those great Democratic meas
ures, which trust will constitute the poi
cy of his administration in other respects il
will give me pleasure, as private citizen, tC
yield my cordial support.
AS late as the Sd of July 1857, when
the Democratic Convention assembled Al
Lecompton in consequence of the laws, eli
mate, and will of the people, none conton
ded that slavery could be established there
or wished it. Until my southern opponent
interfered in the affairs of Kansas, and by
ldenunciaton, menace and otherwise, aideC
at critical period by several office-holder
of Kansas, iucluding the Surveyor General
the President Of the Convention with his i'm
mense patronage, embracing many hundred
employees, intervcned, and / believe, with
out the knowledge or appreciation of tn
President of the United States, produced
the extraordinary paper called the Lccomp
ton constitution.
Yet this act of Intervention by the fcde
raj officers to defeat the will of the peopl
seems to be sustained by my opponents
whilst my intervention, rs it is called, i
obedience to my duty and oath Of office
support the Federal Constitution and
take care that our organic law should /
fairly executed, by endeavoring to secure
the people of Kansas their rights under th'
, act. is denounced and illuminated.
1t is still more extraordinary that the b
pothetical remarks made by me as regarC
the climate in its connection with its inf
ence on the question of slavery, in Kansa
after that issues had been abandoned ther
> which views were consolidating the unic
between the conservative free state me
and proslavery Democrats, SO as to prevel
the confscation of the small number
: slaves then held in Kansas, have been d
: nounced by many distinguished Southel
!, Senators, who, when the Kansas and N
braska bill was pending in Congress, al
when such remarks from them, if even tn
g might affect Southern emigration, were d
= londest in proclaiming that because of
: climate, Kansas could never become sla
e State. W
> Indeed, it seems that all persons, in a
, out of Kansas, whether in public or priya
: life, may publish what opinions they plea
: in regard to these questions, except {
], Governor of that Territory, who has
! little power and no patronage.
: Be pleased TO express to the Preside
, my deep regret as regards our unforl
: nato difference of opinion in relation to I
a Lecompton Constitution, and say to hi
!, that rs infalibility does not belong to ma
= however exalted in intellect and purity
= intention or position, yet if he has comm
/. ted any errors in this respect may they
!, oyerruled by the experimenting Providen
!, y for the perpctuation of our Union and t
!; advancement of the honor and interest
!. our beloved country.
ROBERT J. WALKER
10 Douglas Enabling Act.
a. Douglas bill, introduced in the Sena