Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-10-04
WALKER AND KANSAS.

Gov. Walker, apparently not satisfied with the
position in which his famous Topeka speech had left
him, has taken occasion, in issuing his proclamation
for the general election which comes off in that ter
ritory On Monday next, to review the various ques-
tions of suffrage and the powers ofthe Constitutional
Convention with, in the language of contemporary
'a commendable obliviousness the past"
We have not had opportunity Of reading this
lengthy document, but learn from the comments Of
the press that is directly in conflict with the deelara
iions Of his Tokepa speech shown by the following
extract taken from that portion of his proclamation
in which he treats of the imperfections Of the cen
sus and the apportOnment under it
The only remedy rests Nth the ConUsation ITSELF b.,
submitting, they deem BEST the Constitution for rati
fcation rejection to the vote of the people 174r
such just and reasonable qualifications as thea man
prescribe That they would pursue this course have
never doubted, and alhoughI hare no right 5chqtepr
70 interfere an that question, get lCheH ma iud.rEpa
opinion asked on this sject B a.1Jers offAe Con
UentioH and Others, haze d7ays indicated prcrou
residence Of three months prior to the Uote upon &
adoption Of the Constitution, most just and
able, period Of three months being prescribed by
the Convention law itself as the resid nee required
In voting for delegates TO the Convention and six
months being designated by the Territorial Election
laws as the previous residence required in voting
for members Of the Territorial Legislature. Either
Of these qualifications in my opinion. would hav,
embraced the great body of the bona tide settlers
who might be here this Fall, inasmuch as the Con
ventiou would probably terminate their labors and
submit the Constitution some time in November. aud
iasmuch as three or six months would probably
be granted by them an interval between the date
Of submission and the vote upon the Constitution.
repeat, however, the opinion always heretofore ex
pressed by me, that this IS d matter u5ich belongs
II. IL
power, except, in the language of the Kansas Ne
braska act 10 take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, including that organic act ITSELF and Ell
at liberty a citizen 10 take such course as in
myjudgment. would be most consOnant with the
principles Of justice of the Kansas and Nebraska bill
and Of the Constitution Of the United States in any
contingency"
These sentiments it will be remembered, are very
different from his former declarations In hi
Inaugural, he asseverated, with the utmost EN-
phasis, that "u unless the Convention submit tn,
Constitution to all the actual settlers of Kansas an,
the election be fairly justly conducted, tn,
Constitution will be and ought to be rejected b,
Congress-" And subsequently,, in his speech a
Topeka, he repeated this position and so ampifee
and explained his language as to leave not shadow
of doubt, as to his meaning. 81 do not mean sal,
he, "merely those who are now here, but those VIII,
may be here next fall when the vote is taken, aul
if this Convention do not refer the Constitution il
accordance with the views have expressed, l vii
unite with you, feIOw-citizens, in lawful resistance
to its action" Such were his utterances then. Now
he tells the people of Kansas the question of rat
fcatiOn rests exclusively with the Convention, anl
that previous residence of three six months, az
the territorial law Of suffrage may require, viii b
necessary to entitle anybody to vote.
The first position was wrong. the last is right
We cordially commend him for getting right, a
we were free to differ with him while he was wrong
NAVY BUREAU OF SuPpLIEs.-One of our city co
yempOraries referring for second time to the rum0
fIom Washington that Purser j. Geo. Harris of tn,
Brooklyn Navy Yard, is to be appointed Chief Of tn
Bureau Of Provisions, &c, in the Navy Department
says:
1--WE hoped the rumor was true, and we hope $,
still; because we know Purser Harris will fin the
position with distinguished ability, and with emf
satisfaction to the Department the service In,
Democratic party, and all persons having bushes
with the Bureau"
Welargely share in the hope above expressed. Mr.
Harris well and favorably known as apubh
before he entered the Navy, and some twelv,
years Of professional experience abroad and a
houe afoat and ashore, has give him a thorough
knowledge Of Naval affairs, which we are cDuhden
might be turned to good account al the Department
-NeW York Journal Of Commerce.
We add our own earnest hope that therumor motto
ed above may prove true. Mr. Harris is among tn,
most distinguished Of our predecessors in the eli
torial conduct Of this paper and his hosts of friends
in this State will second all the compliments Of tn,
preceding extracts, as well as our own wishes a,
herein expressed.