Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-19
THE PRESIDENTS INSTRUCTIONS TO GOV.
WALKER.

we publish below the lnsIructlons OF the ffeslQenl
Of the United States to GoF. Walker, relative to
Kansas affairs. 1t was dne to the Administration,
in view Of recent events that they should be given
to the country. They fully sustain the view which
we took Of this subject in our paper of the 18th
instant.
The reader will observe that there is very strik-
ing difference between the terms of these instruc-
tons and the policy which Gov. Walker has taken
the liberty to mark out for himself According to
our information, the Administration anticipated
nothing but riged enforcement of the provisions
and principles of the Kansas bill There is moth
ing here that warrants the belief that Gov Walker
was expected to take the stump and urge upon the
people of the Territory his own individual views
There is nothing here that warranted him in attempt
ing to dictate to the Convention what provisions
should or should not be inserted in their Constitu.
ton. No where is he authorized to say who shall
or shall not vote upon its ratification. No where
is he authorized in urging that if the Convention
in the exercise Of its authority, shall not think pro-
per to submit it to vote of the people that
cit will be, and ought to be rejected by
Congress-" No where is he authorized in throwing
the influence of his position against making Kansas
slave State by the declaration that from soil and
climate it was unadapted to slave labor, and ought
to be and will be free State.
Simply entertaining these uieOS would have been
no ground of complaint, with us, against Gov Walk
er; but he was not warranted, occupying his pres
peculiar position, in enforcing them upon others
He should have left the people of the territory free
TO judge of these things for themselves and settle
them in their own way, according to the provisions
Of the act of territorial government. Whether the
Constitution should be submitted to the people for
ratification not, and if submitted, then who of
them should vote upon it, whether those only who
were registered in the Spring, those who might be
bona fde inhabitants at the time it was completed
and handed for ratification or rejection or who
might be such for period of one, two or three
months prior tc the day of vOting-all were ques-
tiOns to be decided solely by the Convention with
out instructions from the Administration, and with
out its dictation. Gov. Walkers stump speeches
his O,oR, and not the instructions of the Ad-
ministration
We are free to say that if we were member of
that Convention, acting from principle as well as
policy, should favor the reference of its labors to
the ratification rejection of the legalised voters
Such course would not only accord with the doc
trine of popular sovereignty, but tend to avoid the
cry of unfairness which the dsOrganisers in that
territory ready to seize upon. But as there
is nothing imperative upon the Convention to pur-
such course, their failure to do SO would be
ground for Gov Walker joining the Abolitionists
he has said he would do, in resisting its accep
lance by Congress.
The admission of Kansas as free or slave State /
is of very trfing consequence in comparison WITH
the Importance Of maintaining the great principle |
involved in this matter which, in our judgment is
better calculated to preserve federal compact,
protect the South and perpetuate republican in
situations, than any thing that has ever yet been
devised by the ingenuity of man. For such prin-
ciple we know of no sacrifice too great and to its
faithful defence we make a sacred pledge of what
ever ability we possess now and hereafter, and DO
consideration of personal interest or party fealty
could tempt us from such q course.
We are not of that class of politicians who are
willing to abandon principle to follow men cOnse-
quenIly we have not Joined those who in hot
haste to sustain the Administration have committed
themselves to the defence of the unwarrsntable
course of Robert J. Walker We are therefore
the more gratiied to find, what we first believed,
that we consistently support the Administration,
aud at the administer just rebuke to the act
ing Governor of Kansas for the unwarrantabe course
which he has thought proper to pursue.
THE PRESIDENTS INSTRUCTIONS TO GOV
ERNOR WALKER, THROUGH THE SECRE-
TARY OF STATE.
The state of things In Kansas has caused the |
President great sOlicitude. He is very anxious for
the permanent continuance of the public peace and
for the restoration of public confidence SO that the
people of that Territory may enjoy tranquility and
fho aofa he ~, SrubTc -
them. This effected, career of prosperity would
be opened in consequence of the natural advsntag-
es of the country-probsbly not exceeded by any
other region in our extensive territory. From caus-
es not necessary to recapitulate difficulties have ex-
lsted there OccasiOnlDg great uneasiness every =
where and threatening the most disastrous conse-
quences. IL is believed that tirmness and dscre-
lion in the administration of the Territorial Govern
ment will 60 far towards the permanent establish
ment of the peace which prevails there and il
IS hoped will prevent its future disturbance
In seeking 70 procure the services of a citizen |
qualified TO undertake these responsible duties with
prospect of success the President was gratied to Il
earn when application made to you that YOU
we're willing to accept the Office of Governor of Kan
3as and TO devote yourself to the execution of its
important duties. In this feeling he is confident Il
he country will participate and will find in your o.
public services and in the high posi-
ions you have so ably filed assurance that the ..
measures you adopt will be well calculated to assert
The President was DESTROYS that you should pro-
eed Immediately Kansas and enter upon the ex- OF
cutive duties But you had informed him in 2
our letter of acceptance that circumstances beyond
our control would render it impossible for you to
cave here before the second Monday of May next E
e assents to this delay and trusts that Immediately
hereafter you will proceed TO your government and Al
nj er upon your duties And the Pre- yident the more
eadily assens to this arrangement because in the IN
lean time F. p Stanton Esq, will accept the Office pr
Secretary of the Territory and in Your absence hi
l be vestnd with all the powers of the Executive ~
lie will Immediately set for Kansas. In accept
~ The Office he has been animated by the same OF
lotives which have prompted you to make sacrifice
, the public interests, and he will command the ifs
onfdeuce of the country by his well known ser Ii
ices and experience, and by his qualifications for
he position. a.
Commissions for yourself and for him accompany Sc
lese instructions. VI
There are two great objects connected with the tn
resent excitement growing out of the affairs of AZ
ansas and he attainment of which will bring 1t VI
a speedy termination. These we're clearly and III
iccincIy stated in the Presidents inaugural
Idress and embody the paragraphs in this COM Ga
unicatien asking your especial attention to them =;
is declared in that instrument to be the impera- v"
We and indispensa be duty of the Government of er
e United States TO every resident inhabi
Mt the free and independent expression of his tic
Union by his vote. This sacred right of each in
yiduaI must be preserved and ''thst being accomp
he'd nothing can be fsirer than to leave the peo-