American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-12-18

49, ". NhNN SNNNN. <hS III now
ever, was the owner of but one bank of
the river of that name, the other be-
longing 10 Corientes, State of the
Argentine confederation, the right Of
IT'S government to expect that such
decree would be obcyea cannot be ac-
knowlcdged. But the Water Witch
was not, properly speaking, vessel of
war. She was small steamer enga-
ged in scientific enterprise intended
for the advantage Of commercial States
generally. Under these circumstances,
am constrained to consider the attack
upon her as unjustiliable, and as call
ing for satisfaction from the Paraguay
: an government.
Cnizeus Of tho United States, also.
who were established in Paraguay, have
/ had their property seized and taken
| from them, and have otherwise been
treated by the authorities in an insult.
! ing and arbitrary manner, which requires
redress.
a demand for these purposes will be
| made IN a fi'm but cunciiatory spirit.
This will be the nore probably granted
If the Executive shall have authority to
csc other means in the event of a re fu.
sal. This is accordingly recommended.
IL IS unnecessary to state in detail! The
alarming conditinn of the Territory Of
kansas at the time "fmy Inauguration.
The opposing parties then stood in hos.
tile array aguinst each other, and any
accident might have re-liehted the flame
81 civil war. Besides, at this critical
moment. Kansas was left without a
governor by the resignation CT Govern
or Geary.
Ga the 10Th Of February prevails,
the territorial Legislature had provided
Tor the election &c delegates on the
third Monday of June To convention
10 meet on the first Monday Of Sep,em-
Der, tor The purpose of aiming a con.
stltuton preparatory To admission into
the Un'on. This law was in the main
fair and just; and it is To be regretted
that all the qualified electors had not
registered themselves aud voted under
it's provisions.
AT The time of the election for dele.
gates, Ill extensive organization existed
in the Territory. whose a,owed object
It was, If need be, to put down the law
tul government by force. and To esiab-
iish government of their own under
the so.cailed Topeka constitution. The
persons attached To this revolutionary
organization abs.ained from any part in
the election.
The act Of the territorial legislature
had omitted tn provide for submitting
t" the people the constitution which
nigh, be framed by The convenlion;and
in the excited state of public feeling
throughout Kansas All apprehension ex-
Iensively prevailed that a design existed
to force upon them a constitution in re-
'h'l"n to slavery against their will. In
, lhelI emergency 1t became my duty, as
| II was my unquestionable right, having
In view the union of all good citizens
{ in support Of the territorial laws, to OK
I press az opinion on the true constrnc.
ton "f the provisions concerning slavery
/ contained IN the organic act of Congress-
of the 30 May. 1854. Congress de-
! cIared 1t 10 be- 'the true intent and
meaning of this oct not to legislate sla-
very I'M" any Territory or State, nor to
exclude 1t theroirom, but to leave the
( people thereof perfectly froe to form
and regulate their domestic institutions
III their own way" Under i, Kansas.
"when admitted as a State" was To "be
! received into the Union with or without
, slavery. rs their cnnatitulion may pies.
! Glide at the time Of their admission"
Did Congress mean by this language
that The delegates elected to frame
! constitution should have authority final.
! ~ To decide Tho question of slavery, or
| dld they intend by leaving it To the peo-
| pio that tho people Of Kansas should
/ decide the question by direct vote p
On this subject confess had never en-
/ tertained serious doubt, and therefore
/ IN my instructions To GoYeInor Walk.
er OF the 28th March last, merely said
! that when "a constitution should he sub.
! united 10 the people ofIhe territory ihey
must be protected in the exercise Of
their tight Of voting for or agains, that
instrument aud the fair expression of
the popular will must not be iuterropt-
Ell by fraud or Violence"
In expressing this opinion it was far
| tI"m my Intention To interfere with tho
! decision Of the people Of Kansas, either
/ for or against slavery. From this |
hav" always carefully abstained. In
trusted with tho duty Of taking care
that tho laws be carefully executed"
roy only dosire was that the people Of
Kansas should furnish to Congress the
evidence rsqnired by the organic act,
whether for or against slavery; aud in
'hls manner smouthe their passage into
the U"ion. In emerging from the con-
dl'ion Of territorial dependence into that
! OF sovereign State, it was their duty
/ ~ my opinion, To make known their
will by the votes Of the majority, on the