The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-25
OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS 10 ACTING GOVERNOR
DENVER AND GOV. WALKER

OFFICIAL lNSlRuCIIONS ~ AtliNt wy EnNoh
DENVER AND GOV. WALKER
Among the mass Of correspondents transmitted to
the Senate on Wednesday last, we find the instrac-
tons to Acting Governor Denver, upon his appoint
ment secretary Of the Territory Of Kansas also
the instructions to Governor Walker, of the I'd Sep
TENDER last relating TO several subjects OF interest
ii Insrudions 10 Acting Governor Darer.
DRAKrMKsr or STATE,
Washington, Dec III, 1897.
To JAMS w DENVER, Secretary and Acting Governor
of Kansas Territory
Sir You have already been informed that Mr., Stan
been removed from the Office Of secretary Of the
Territory Of Kansas and that you have been appointed
in his place desire to state to you distinctly the
of this change The convention which met ut Le
compton the LIST of September had framed constitn-
tion and had authorized its president to submit the
question to the people ON the 2ls OF December whether
this constitution should be adopted with without sa
very The Importance Of the issue could not well be
over estimated 1t involved the complete and author
tive settlement OF the only subject OF difference which had
seriously agtaed Kansas or nterered with Its prosper
ity The qualified electors therefore, to whom this set
Element was referred not only had anquestonable
right to attend at the polls and give their votes on the
day appointed but they required TO do so by the
highest considerations Of public duty In the exercise OF
this right they were entitled To adequate pro-
lection by the territorial government and the acting
governor bound to employ all tho legal means az ms
command to give security and fairness to the election
With the conflicting opinions which prevailed in the
Territory on the question submitted he had right
to interfere They had their appropriate issue at the bal
otbox and to that peaceful arbitrament they might
safely be referred The great objects to be accomplished
in the opinion OF the President were, TO preserve the
peace of the Territory and the freedom of the cleo
ton Entertaining these views, he surprised to learn
that the secretary and acting governor had on the st OF
December issued his proclamation for special session OF
the territorial legislature the It'll instant only few
weeks in advance of its regular time Of meeting, and
only fourteen days before the decision to be made
the question submitted by the convention This course
of Mr. Stanton the President seriously believes has thrown
new element of discord among the excited people OF
Kansas and 1t is directly at war, therefore, with the
peaceful policy of the administration For this reason
he has felt 1t his duty to remove him.
From these views you will readily understand what
the President regards the chief duty which de-
wolves upon you as Mr.. Stantons successor. This
duty is to preserve the peace in Kansas. Every per-
entitled to vote the constitution ought TO have
safe access to the polls, and to be free from any
restraints whatever in the exercise Of the elective fran
chse If the civil power is found insufficient for this
purpose the troops of the United States should be en-
ployed in aid Of it and it may be wise precauton to
have them stationed in advance within reach OF those
places where your Judgment their services are likely
be required 1t Is earnestly hoped that the use OF
military power may be wholly avoided Violence is al
ways less likely to when the known to be
at hand for its prompt suppression Should the military
become absolutely necessary to keep the peace you
will find full instructions with reference to the proper
mode of employing it, in my communications to Gov
Walker of March 20, July rs, and September y
1857 and in those subsequently written to Mr. Stanton
OF these last that of November 80 taken to Kansas
by you; and you had copy of it. All Of them will
doubtless be found in the archives of the governor at
Lecompton They refer prominently to the preservation
OF peace at certain important eectons but need hardly
inform you that your duty not intended to be confined
to those special occasions 1t extends of COURSE to the
protection Of all citizens in the exercise OF their just
rights and applies to legal election well as to an
,ol
the 7th inst and while it remains in session its members
entitled TO be and free In their deliberations
Its rghful action must also be respected Should 1t au
thorizc election by the people for purpose this
election should be held without interruption no less than
those authorized by the convention While the peace of
the Territory preserved and the freedom OF election Is
secure there need be fear of disastrous consequence
The public journals contain reports Of an intended move
lnent by portion of the residents in Kansas to organize
revolutionary government under the Topeka constitu
ton 1t is hardly probable that this report can be we'll
founded but should the attempt be made and lead to
practical collision with the territorial authorities the
authority of the government must necessarily be
maintained and from whatever quarter it is attempt
ed to interfere by violence with the elections author
lied by the constitutional convention or which may
be authorized by the legislature, the attempt must
be resisted and the security of the elections mananed
The peaceabe progress of these elections obviously
occasion injury any citizen any party because
their results have only their due weight under the
constitution and the laws. It to be expected there
fore that no good citizens will endeavor to interfere with
the but that all the people will be contened to see the
work of the convention peacefully carried out to its et
innate results and fairly presented to the consideration OF
Congress The President relies upon your frnness and
discretion to give effect to these instructions IL is vital
Iy important that the people of Kansas and none other
than the people of Kansas should have the full deermi
nation of the question before them for decision II
important also that in securing to them the protection
to which they entitled great should be taken not
to exercise any illegal authority On this point again
refer you my instructions to Gov Walker and Secretary
Stanton which you will regard as directed TO yourself
It proper to add that no action of the territorial egs
laturc about to meet interfere with the elections of
the 2st December and the 4th of January in the mode
and manner prescribed by the constitutional convention.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS