New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-09
arrived 60 do, With about 90 PASSENGER, and heavily
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|,..,or Stanton IN regard 10 the forthcoming eiec
| ton in kansas:
LAWRENCE, X. T.. April 9th.
M. y p sr.proS, lc,tao GoseJHoy hdHsa. T,rrtory
| DEAR Sir: In your address 70 the people OF Law
renee last evening, Understood you to ssy in sub
stance that you would enforce the laws enacted by
Legislature elected by the people of an adjoining State
until thew sho.ld be repealed; also if the laws are
unjust or distaseful our remedy is the ballot box.
History has indehbly recorded the fact which Cen
Maclesn admitted in oar presence 5e as sb
OF Kansas Territory on the 30th March, 1850,
and has not to this day been returned. From that
time until the presen; the people have had no voice
whatever in making laws or IN seectng officers 10
sdJoinister them notwithstanding the worldwide dec
larafon by the Administration al Washington, and its
friends elserhere that the people should be perfectly
free 10 regulate their institutions in their own way,
subject only to Me Constitution of the United States
We are now invited TO participate in election Of
delegates 10 Constitutional Convention TO meet in
September next, 10 frame Constitution aud State
Government. We are told that the election law Is
good one; that the voice of the actual settlers can be
heard at the polls and that ustic will be meted out
10 all parties. We regret that the past conduct of the
officers to supernt6ns this election has not been such
TO permit US to believe that they Will secure fair
vote of the people; and the fact that many weknOwn
citizens in Kansas arr omitted from the registry list
and that welknQwn citizens and residents of Mis-
sour registered Is conclusive proof TO us that
fair election is not intended and viii not be permitted
by the officers who have thus far had the matter in
charge. But if fair election il intended, notwlth-
standing the body of men calling il, was not elected by
the people of Kansas and Notwithstanding the people
have already formed Constitution, of which large
n aiority approve We, the undersigned, willing TO
overlook the past and 90 into the election of delegates
% u Constitutional Convention should Convention
of the people of Kansas concur, If the following
course will be adopted by the officers OF the election
to Wit:
First-Two persons shall be selected in each town
ship or district to correct the registry stone by the
Pro-Slavery and one by the Free-State party, who
I'LL I'M 10 fox tHa and veD
lster all legal voters; and the Probate Judges shall
correct the first lists and the appointment of delegates
shall be made according to the returns thus made,
SccOnd-Four Judges Of Election shall be selected
for each voting precinct two by the Pro-Sayery and
two by the Free-State party and the names OF three
OF said Judges shall be required TO certificate OF
election TO to entte person to seat IN the Conven
ton.
We think your E1eelency will at once perceive
that some such course must be pursued to correct the
list or no correction can be made. We informed
by credible reports that in some districts, nom
residents to the number of thousands have already
been registered while actual Frce-Statt settlers have
been refused and how else the ists be corrected
than by retaking Of the census by some person or
persons who have regard for an oath Testimony of
negative character avail nothing, and to obtain
positive testimony with reference to the residence Of
those enlisted from another State would be impossible
IN the short time remaining before the election.
That you have the power to take any course you
may think proper to secure far election, have
doubt II is not material that the letter of the law
calling the election should be strictly followed In
deed no law at all il requisite, that the Will OF
majority of the people be ascertaned. Congress
give legality to Constitution formed in accord
with previous territorial act or without one,
and we trust your Excellency will restore the ballot
box to the people OF Kansas in all its purity at any
risk of infoInalty in minor and noncssentia Provis-
ions of the election regulations.
Very repeatedly your 0eedient . .eTyant'
WI aDHSHInTscGGHiNsoN . G 10 { sIE:ARLE
EPHRAia MUTE, Js G. JENKINS,
1oHT RUTeHFTsoN S 4 i EMo WSKryrLp
T. D. LADD J. A. FINLEY,
Rtpiy Of Mr.. Stanton.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
LECoNPTos, X. T., April 30, 1851.
GENTLEMEN: Yours of the 18th inst. reached Inc
only by hast nights mail. proceed without delay TO
reply 10 the proposition you make in references to the
election about to be held for Delegates 10 Cohsut"
tional Conv ention
As take different view of the Laws of the Terri
tory from that which you express, il will be impossible
for to consent 10 any proceeding. IN opposition
10 that which has been sanctioned by the legislative
authorities.
did not hear from Gen. Macleon any such admission
a. you represent him to have made. That gentleman
spoke only OF his Individual action in the particular
mentioned, and whether that action was right or
wrong or whether it occurred in that Individual
instance only in thousand others, by men either
from Missouri Massachusetts IT could not my adate
the laws which now prevail in the Territory Ii | be-
ieyed-as do not behcye-your assertion that the
laws of Kansas enacted by Legislature elected
by the people OF adjoining State, 1t would still
be impossible for NE to set them asldc-the attempt
10 do 80 would be an act Of gross usurpaon not ess
Objectionable in its character and effects than the
fraudulent interference which you attribute TO the
people of Missouri. | must, therefore, say to you in
the most explicit language, that can do nothing which
denies the authority and validity OF the laws enacted
within this Territory. Congress alone has power to
abrogate them.
Ihaye no authority over the Probate Judges 1t is
tn
Torrance OF their judicial functions. Yet il will not be
improper for to say, that would be very jud,clou
and becoming IN them to obtain every possible in
formation from respectable of both parties II
der 10 enable them to correct the list Of voters II
such impartial men of their will, and within the
| time limited by law, could take and
present it to the Probate Judges with sufficient proof
of its fairness and accuracy | think the Probate
Judges would he bound to adopt it and return it the
Governor the true list legally corrected. should
be sorry Ia any Probate Judge in the Territory
fuse 20 receive the sworn testimony of two respecta
Die men, differing in politics. as to any matter within
their knowledge connected with the residence OF cti
| Sens, and their qualifications as voters. l do not be-
| lieve such wrong possibly have occurred and
therefore say that If you had been DESTROYS of OBJ
tanning correct list OF voters for the coming election,
You had il in your power 10 accomplish that object in
perfect conformity with the law.
II is not my purpose to reply to your statements Of
| facts | cannot do so from any personal knowledge
| enabling either to admit deny them. | may
say, however, have heard statements quite as au-
thentic Us your own and in some instances from
bes of your own party TO the effect that your polt
cal friends have very generally indeed almost univer-
sally refused TO participate in the pending proceedings
for registering the names of the legal voters In some
instances, they have given fictitious names and in
numerous others they have refused to give any names
at all You cannot deny that your party have hereto
fore resolved not to take part in the registration and
appears 10 that without ndulgng ungeuerous sus-
pcions OF the integrity of officers, you might well at
tribute any errors and omissions OF the Shers to the
existence of this wel-known and controlling fact.