The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-17
REMOVAL OF THE ACTING GOVERNOR OF
KANSAS

One day last week, ttlegraphic despatch
came to Washington, announcing that Mr.. Stan
ton, Acting Governor of Kansas, had consented
to call an extra session Of the Legislature. Mr..
Buchanan instantly removed him, nominated
Mr.. Denver, formerly Of California, in his place,
and, after warm discussion, the nomination
was confirmed. Twenty nine Senator'S voted to
confirm, nineteen against 1.-THE latter being
Repu blicans. One of the Republican Senators
was absent, and Mr.. Douglas declined to vote
Among the Alternatives, it is said, were some
Native Americans of the South, ard Andrew
Johnson, the new Senator from Tennessee
Washington correspondents say that Mr.. Seward
made q scathing speech, denouncing the Ad
ministraton for the employment of a spy, named
Martin, who, ostensibly in the Territory on
other business, has been exercising, by order of
the Chief Executive, the function of q spy over
Messrs. Walker and Stanton.
The act of the Administration in removing
Stanton is marked by indecent haste He is a
Southern man, National Democrat, and was
appointed as peculiarly fitted for his position.
His only offence is, that by acting honorably
the hostility of the Fire Eaters.
The call for an extra session Of the Legisla.
ture may have seemed upjustifable to the Pres
ident, but why pronounce judgment without a
fair hearing? Mr.. Stanton was instructed to
do all he could to maintain order and peace in
the Territory, and it is quite probable that he
could have shown abundant reasons in support
of the policy of converting the Legislature, az a
peace making measure. But the President, as
if glad of an opportunity to signalize his new
| devotion to the Fire Eaters, and his determine.
ton to force through the Lecompton fraud, at
| ing him a chance to speak.
| Mr.. Stanton's proclamation is as follows:
Proclamation Converting the Territorial Legisla-
ture of Kansas
To the members Of the Legislative assembly of
the Territory Of Kansas:
An extraordinary occasion having occurred
in the affairs of the Territory, within the mean-
| ing of the 30.h section Of the organic act
which authorizes The Legislature to be called
| together upon such occasions
/, Frederic p. Stanton, Secretary Of and Act
| ing Governor. do hereby summon the members
of the Council and House of Representatives
of the said Territory to assemble in their re-
| spective Houses at L=compton, on Monday
| next, the 9TH instant, then and there to con
slider matters of great moment, pertaining to
the public welfare.
| Given under the seal of the Territory at Lee
compton, this the f.st day Of December. A. d.
| 1857. FRED. p. STANTON.
The special session convened on the 8th
Mr.. Stanton, in his message says:
"In CONSCIENCE of recent events, | find nv.
self PEELED by q sense of duty to call you to-
| gether, that you may adopt prompt legislative
measures to avert the calsmities which threaten
| the public peace" Mr.. Stanton recommends
the passage of an act, directing that an election
be held under different officers, on the same
day and at the same place provided by the
proclamation issued by the President of the
Convention, and authorizing the people to vote
for Constitution in either of the forms pre-.
sented by the Convention, and also against the
Constitution in both forms. The Governor
also recommends the passage of law making
fraudulent returns of votes felony, with suitable
punishment"
And for this faithful attempt to carry into ef-
feet the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty, Mr..
Stanton is turned out Of office by the President.
who, in fragrant violation Of his most solemn
pledge to maintain the same doctrine, is seek,
ing to force through Congress, and upon the
Territory, Constitution framed by the repre-.
sentatives of one-ffth of its voters, and repudi-
ated with adherence by four ffths.
he may succeed in Congress, but not in
Kansas. We do not believe it is in the power
of the Administration, with the whole military
force of the United States to compel the PEG.
pie of Kansas to submission. They will MOI
submit, and they ought not to submit