Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-03
Gov. walkers Speech to the Topeka Abs
OIitIOniSts.


In compliance with an invitation from the cti-
zens of Topeka. Governor Walker, accompanied by
Secretary Stanton and Mr.. E. o. Perrin visited our
town on Saturday last for the purpose of forming
an acquaintance with our people-of ascertainiug
their views and wi hes-of interchsnging senti-
msnts, and of promoting feelings of mutual conf
dence and good will. At o'clock, pursuant to
previous notice, meeting of our citizens, alike
merous and Intelligent, was convened at the Public
Hall, in order to hear expression of the Cover
nors views in regard to the existing difficulties and
his plan of adjustment and to confer freely with
him on the various political topics now engrossing
the attention of the people of the whole Territory.
Col Holiday presided and introduced the Gov
srnor, who advanced and said:
Fel1oU citizens:-Upon the invitation of the ciri-
zens of the town of Topeka and its vicinity rise
to commune with you, in regard to those most i'm.
portant interests which connected with the adj
minstration of the Territory of Kansas. At the
earnest request of the President of the United States
l consented to come here and occupy the position
OF Governor of Kansas. l do not come among you
as q volunteer. l have not sought this position.
On the contrary, l have accepted it. aud am free
to cay, with great diffdence, growing out of the
conviction impressed upon the minds of the Chief
Magistrate of the Union and all his Cabinet, that
the peace, not only OF this beautiful Territory of
yours but that of the whole Union depended upon
the settlement of these difficult and exciting ques-
tIons which have heretofore introduced civil war
and discord throughout your borders.
When, therefore. the mvtter Was presented to
me in that light by the President of the United
States and all bis Cabinet felt called on, notwith-
standing my deep of the responsibility which
| was required to assume, to withdraw my decina-
ton of this Office, and accept the prohered trust.
am now here this day then, fellow-citizens to adj
dress you upon those grave and momentous ques-
tions which concern SO much, not only your own
peace and prosperity, but that of the whole Union.
And here permit me to say, that it has been my
lot, to have travelled through every State in this
Union except California and must say that have
never seen, anywhere, any region for which God
has done much the Territory of Kansas.
(Cheers) All that you want is peace and prosper
ity this recognition of the principle that the people
in Kansas alone rule here, aud its exercise in
connection with sll the great questions which have
disturbed tie quiet and harmony of this Territory
in order to make not only the town of Topeka one
of the prosperous of the Territory and Of the
Union, but to make Kansas, Eoon at the proper pc.
Rod to become a sovereign State, one of the most
important and hourishing of the whole cOnfeders-
cy.
Now, gentlemen, this is q practical question, and
l take it you are practical men; that you DO not
look to theories but to facts results and that
you desire to ascertain what is the best mode in
which a peaceful adjustment Of these most deplo-
rabie difficulties can now be made.
On this subject, gentlemen, desire to read you
= few extracts from my Inaugural Address just
published in this Territory, together with my in
structions from the President OF the United States
pointing out the mode which the Chief Magistrate
of the Union, just elected to that high position by
the whole American people, well as his Cabinet
and the humble individual who now addresses you,
believe these questions can be peacefully settled;
and settled, not by party whether it be for or
| against slavery, but by the whole people OF the
| Territory of Kansas, who, is their sovereign
| right, by that great principle which lies the
foundation of all our institutions, shall determine
by actual majority OF the votes of all her peo-
pie what shall be their Constitution and their
| own social institutions.
l speak not now in regard to the past, or any
registry of votes. But | speak regards the fu-
ture. Ny doctrine Is this, that the future, when
the Constitution shall be submitted 20 the vote of
the citizens Of Kansas il shall be submitted to the
vote OF the the whole people. do not mean
those who are registered under the Territorial law
l do not mean those who were residing here
tie 18th of March last, but mean 10 the whole
people OF Kansas, not ouly those who are here
now but those who will be here fall actusl
residents-that they-tbe people over whom these
institutions TO opeFaLe-that they, by maj or-
ty Of their votes, shall decide Tor themselves
what shall be their Constitution, aud What shall
be their social institutions.
'Iadeed, | cannot doubt that the convention
Il mean the convention which is about 10 meet in
September next)-"aiser having framed State
Constitution viii submit IL Tor Ratification or r,jec
ton, by a majority of the then actual bona tide
resident SETTLERS OF Kansas.
Win I1csc VIEWS wen W AuC
and Cabinet, and approved by them, | accepted
the appointment oil Governor Of Kansas. Sly IN
structions from the President, through the Seere-
tary OF State, under date OF the 5oth OF March
last. sustain "the regular legislature OF the TrrFi
tory" in assembling Convention 10 form Con-
stitution," and they express the opinion OF the
President, that "When such Constitution shall be
submitted 20 the people OF the Territory, they
be protected in the exercise OF their right OF
voting for against that instrument; aud the fair
expression OF the popular will must not be intel.
Fupted by fraud or violence"
1 come noW 20 my own individual views. Il
repeat then, my clear conviction, that unless
the Convention submit the Constitution 10 the
Of al the actual resident settlers Of Kansas,
aud the election be fairly aud justly conducted,
the Constitution viii De, and oagat 70 be Esjected
By Congress" kCries Of good
Gentlemen, on shts snhjeet 1 wish THAI there
should be 20 mistake, no misapprshenaioH
gsr1s my opinions and tbs Peiicy vhieh shall
deem IL my duty 70 puFsas IN the standardization
Of ths ExeestlFe department OF the Territory Of
Kansas. It i involved in few simple words:--
Thst the majority 0f ne people Of kanszs must
goseFn-tesies OF right l-snas The mejOsisy Of Ehs
psopls Of kaasas muss sdcPI sheir 0ua Coassisa-
uoa % FvIsct is-thAt The nsl0FiEy OF the psopis