The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-24

With these answers TO your interrogatories might
here close this letter. except that infer you desire to
know how ar ms opini9n in regard to Governor Walkers
conduct fiay sfect iS course towards the miuistra-
ton What the precise views Of the President upon
,n...,,,, -1"s know not l await their development
in the regular course But snou.- nc oiner WIN me
upon these matters do not how any practical Issue
can arise between him and those Of his friends who enter
tain other opinions In regard TO Governor Walkers
course. j say, do not see how any practical issue
could arise out OF this matter between the the President
and those who might differ with him in regardlto these
things because do not believe for moment thet he
would aid in AN attempt to reject the State II Kansas
should apply for admission merely because its conven
ton did not choose to submit the constitution TO the peo
pie for ratification Upon such question this in
gard to the right Of Congress TO limit the power of peo
pie to form their State constitution according TO their
pleasure, provided 1t be republican In its character,
should think there could be no division of opinion
amongst the members Of the democratic party in any
ton of the Union. There could not be- If they remain
true to what understand 10 be their profession Of faith
To establish the great principles of the equal rights
OF the States to the enjoyment of the territories Of
the United States which act of federal legislation
consttuonally abridge destroy, and of the right
of the people Of each State TO determine the character Of
their domestic institutions without prejudice to their
claim Of admission into the Union the democratic party
has submitted to losses and sacrifices which could only
have been justified by the successful accomplishment of
great object. To obtain a common ground upon which
all might rally for the defence Of the constitution and
did constitute such object And now that the posi-
ton has been conquered after arduous struggle who
supposes that the democratic party would volunteer
fa % ABANDON and 1e esnf ffess s q ha o
by rerograc movement would be an act of teio de in
the party and not merely folly but crime for which
poserty would never forgive it, For these reasons do
not believe that the democratic party or the President
whom it has chosen will aid in any attempt to restrict
the power OF the people of Kansas acting through their
convention, to form constitution according to their own
1 maj and. ,hptn, It'd.
republican in its character.
Having now answered fully your nerrogatories need
proceed further but you are kind enough to saw
that you question not because You doubted me YOUR
SELF but TO save me from msconsruction by Others
feel that ought not to conclude without thanking YOU
for your generous motives To those who are disposed
to misconstrue me have only say that if the past
of who has served the State in public en-
pacy SO long have affords sufficient guarantee as
TO his future conduct it is idle to seek further security
in professions of faith My past course affords the best
evidence of my principles of public action and these are
the tests by which as an honest man am bound In
Judge every administration If therefore, should differ
from administration because it dssented from these
principles, / should be blamed If blamable at ALL not
for the act OF differing with President but because of
the false principles by which to Judge him SO that
it is by these that to be tried after all 1t is true
that when questions arise, one may be fairly and
properly questioned to his opinions But what is
there new here The principles of the Kansas
act, by which have been Just testing Gov Walkers con-
Duct and the right Of the people, acting through their
convention to form constitution of republican charac-
ter according to their pleasure without prejudice
their claim of admission State in the Union have all
been discussed heretofore by myself and Others far more
fully than would be consistent with the limits of this let
ter Nor have expressed any opinion here in regard
those questions to which have not been committed long
since. IT, then, repeat sentiments which have before
declared You will excuse me- do it in Difference to
your request. -...... ....
Very respectfully and truly, yours, ~
II. M. Il. HUNTER.
To the Hon. SHELTON II. LEAKE.