Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-12-17
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
KANSAS AND UTAu.

eas AZ 'He Tune OF my inauguration. The
opposing parties then stood in hostile array
against each other, md any accident might
have relighted the flames Of civil war. Be-
sides, at this critical moment, Kansas was
left without q Governor by the resignation
Of Gov. Geary.
On the l9'h Of February previous, the
Territorial Legislature had passed O law
providing for the election OF delegates on
the third Monday Of June 10 a convention
10 meet on the first Monday Of September,
for the purpose of framing Constitution
preparatory TO admission into the Union.-
This law was in the main fair and Just; and
it is to be regretted that all the qualified
electors had not registered themselves and
voted under It's provisions.
At the time of the election for delegates,
an extensive organization existed in the
Territory, whose avowed object it was, if
need be, 10 put down the lawful govern
ment by force, and to establish a govern
ment OF their own under the so.called Tops-
ka constitution. The persons attached TO
This revolutionary organization abstained
from taking any part in the election.
The act Of the territorial legislature had
omitted to provide for submitting TO the peo-
pie the constitution which might be framed
by the convention; and in the excited state
OF public feeling throughout Kansas an ap
prehension extensively prevailed that q de.
sign existed 10 force upon them constitu-
ton in relation to slavery against their will.
In this emergency it became my duty, as it
was my unquestionabe right, having in
view the union of all good citizens in sup
port OF the Territorial laws, to express an
opinion on the true construction of the pro.
visions concerning slavery contained in the
organic act Of Congress Of the Both NAV,
1854. Congress declare it 10 be the "true
intent and meaning OF this act not TO leeis.
late slavery into any Territory or State,
nor TO exclude it therefrom, but to leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate their domestic institutions in their
own way" Under 1t Kansas, "when adj
mitted as a State" was 10 ''be received into
the Union, with or without slavery as their
constitution may prescribe at the time of
their admission"
Did Congress mean by this language that
the delegates elected 10 frame a Constiln-
ton should have authority finally TO decide
the question OF slavery, or did they intend
by leaEing5it 70 thes people that the people
OF Kansas themselves should decide this
question by direct vote? On this subject
confess had never entertained serious
Ydqu ht, and, therefore, in my instruction. 10
-Governor Walker on the 2SIh March last,
merely said, that when ga constitution
shall ,he-submisted 10 the people of the Ter
ritory they must be protected in the exer-
ooffheir right Of voting for or against
that instrument, and the fair expression Of
tho popular will must not be interrupted by
fraud or violence
In expressing this opinion it was far
from my intention 10 interfere with the de.
ciFion Of the people Of Kansas, either for or
against slavery. From this have ALWAYS
carefully abstained. Intrusted with tie
duty OF taking ''care that the laws be faith
fully executed" my only desire was that
che people Of Kansas shoHl6 furnish to Con-
gress The evidence required by the organic
act, whether for or against slavery; and in
ms manner smooth their passage into the
Union. In emerging from the condition of
territorial dependence into that of sove-
reign State, it was their duty, in my opin-
ion, 10 make known their will by the votes
Of the majority, on the direct question
should or should not continue to exist. In
deed, this was the only possible mode in
which their will could be automatically as.
eertained.
The election Of delegates 10 a convention
must necessarily fake place in SEPARATE dis
tricts. From this cause it may readily han.
pen, as has often been the case, that ma
jority Of the people Of a State or Territory
are on one side OF question, whilst ma
Jorlly ot the representatives from the sev.
eral districts into which it is divided NAV
upon the other side. This arises from the
fact that IN some districts delegates NAV be
elected by small majorities, whilst in others
those Of different sentiments NAV receive
majorities sufficiently great not only 10
overcome the votes given for the former,
but to leave majority of the whole people
IN direct opposition 10 majority Of the del
ogates. Besides, orr history proves that
influences may be brought to bear on the
representative sufficiently powerful 10 in
duce him TO disregard the will Of his con-
stituents. The truth is, that no other al-
thsntc and satisfactory mode exists of as
certaining the will Of majority of the peo.
pie OF any State or Territory on an import
ant and exciting question like that of slave
ny in Kansas, except by leaving it 10 di-
rect vote. How wise, then, was it for
Congress to pass over all subordinate md
intermediate agencies, and proceed directly
TO the source of all legitimate power under
our institutions!
How vain would any other principle
prove in practice! This may be illustrated
by the case of Kansas. Should she be ad
mitted into the Union, with a Constitution
either maintaining or abohshng slavery, n
gainst the sentiment of the people, this
could have no other effect than 10 continue
and TO exasperate the existing agitation dur.
ing the brief period required to make the
constitution conform 10 the irresistible will
OF the majority.
The friends and supporters Of the Nebras,
ka and Kansas act, when struggling on a
recent occasion TO sustain its wise provis-
ions before the great tribunal OF, the Amer.