Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-25


vote Of the people for ccriifcatnn rejection.
Ny inaugural and other addresses therefore real
l in the nature Of proclamaons often issued by tho
Presidents and Governors with a view to prevent as
they did in this case. civil war and instruction.
New, by my oath Of office, sworn support the
Constitution Of the United States which have shown.
" my judgment required the submission Of the vote 10
he people: was sworn also 70 take care that the Kan
and Nebraska bill should be faithfully executed,
which BILL in my judgment, heretofore stated, requr
ed that the Constitution should be submitted to the vote
solemn duty when as Governor Of tho Territory, to
whose people my first obligations due, cndcavorcd
to secure them these results
The idea entertained by some that should sec the
Federal Constitution and the Kansas Nebraska bill
th-cwn and dsrceardcd and that PLAYING the part of
pantumimc Of ruin should acqucscc, by my silence in
such result especially where such acquescence nvoly
cd immediate consequence, disastrous and san
Of blood has been shed by the federal troops in Kansas
during my administration, hut instruction and civil
war, extending fear. throughout the country were
alone prevented ny the course pursued by me on those
occasions and the whole people abandoning revolution.
AIRY violence by me to go for the first time into general
and peaceful election
These important results constitute consolation for all
the unjust assaults made upon this subject do
not understand that these assaults have received the
slightest countonance from the President. On the
uary, his message CLEARLY indicates approval Of my
course mp 70 the present most unfortunate difference
about the so-caled Lecompton Constitution.
lnasmueh, however, the difference is upon vital
sructions, Il is certainly much respectful the
President. my part to resign the office Of Governor
and give him an opportunity Of filling it. as is his right
his opinions rather than 60 10 Kansas and force
him remove me- by disobedience to his instructions.
This latter course, in my Judgment, would be incom-
pahe with proper respect for the Chief Magistrate Of
the Union, inconsistent with the rules nf moral rccti-
dc or property and could be accompanied with no 9TH
er view than "a force the President TO from
office.
Such course 1t Is alleged would present me to the
public political martyr in the defence Of the great
principle Of scfgovermcnt; but to 20 Kansas with
any such purpose. with certain knowledge that such
result must follow, would be alike unjust and improper
rpsucCtahlp
signahoni IN the hope that Kansas and our beloved
country may be shielded from that civil war with which
fear both are threatened by any attempt to force the so
called Leconpton constitution upon the people OF Kan
sas.
citation with the people Of Kansas that an overwhelming
majority Of that people are opposed to that instrument
and my letters state that but out Of the twenty Of the
press of Kansas sustain IT, some oppose ii because
many counties were DISTINGUISHED and unrcprcscntcd in
that NohNehiuh
some who are opposed 70 paper money, because II au
thorzcs hank Of enormous capital for Kansas nearly
unlimited in its uses, and in the denomination Of us
notes, from one dollar mp and down. some because of
what they cunsidcra Know Nothing clause by requiring
that the Go'egnor shall have been twenty years citizen
" the United States
some because the elective franchise is not free as they
cannot vote against the Constitution but only on the
ingle issue whether any slave States may be form
ID and then only upon that issue by voting for the Con-
-tuon to which they opposed, and they regard this
~ but mockery OF the elective franchise, and pcous
Some oppose il because the constitution distinctly
c,snizes and adopts the Oxford fraud in appointing Leg
ittlNc mcmpfs tfT johnson county upon the lraudu-
ont and fictitious returns SO falsely called FROM that pre-
cnct which recognition Of that fraud in the Constitution
Is apparent to the moral sense OF the people.
Others oppose because although in other cases the
Iresden OF Conventions have boon authorized to issue
wuts OF election 10 the regular Territorial or State o
CTS with the usual judges and with the established
precincts, and on the ADJUDICATION OF the returns, in this
'se unprecedented and vice regal powers given to
ne President Of the Convention 70 make the Precincts
the ludgcs-and to decide finally upon the returns.
From the grant Of these unusual and enormous pow
crs, and from reasons connected with the returns
m he n N
people OF Kansas have no faith in the validity Of these
returns, and therefore will not vote.
Indeed, disguise il as we may 20 ourselves under the
influence OF the present excitement. the facts will dem
onstrate that any aemp, by Congress force this
sntution upon the people Of Kansas will be effort
substitute the will Of small minority for that over
whelming majority OF the people OF Kansas.
That i will not settle the Kansas question, tran
quze the public mnd-that it WILL fear, be attended
civil war-extending perhaps throughout the Union.
ius bringing the question back again upon Congress and
the people in its most dangerous light and alarming
pect.
The President takes different view Of the subject in
his Message aud from the events occurring in Kansas,
well as here is evident that the question is passing
from threats into practice and that Governor Of an
sls should be compelled to carry out new Instructions
differing vital question from those received at the
date OF my appointment
my views Of the Federal Constitution and Of the Kansas
and Nebraska hill, with my pledges to the people of
Kansas Under these circumstances, no alternative is
lef but resign the office of Governor of the erritorv
Of Kansas
Ne can more deeply rcgrut than myself this ne
part. On the contrary. should cheerfy have re-
turned TO Kansas to carry out my original instructions
and thus preserve the peace Of the Territory and finally
settle the Kansas question by redeeming my pledges
the people II is my intention this time discuss
the peculiar circumstances and unexpected which
have modified the opinions Of tho President upon point
vital the submission Of the constitution for raca-
ton or rejection by the vote of the people.
Much less do desire any controversy with the Presi-
dent this subject yet however widely my views may
differ from those entertained by him this question
views which have held all my life, and which, in /
voving fundamental principles Of public liberty and Of
the constitution Interchangeable yet, regards those
great which will constitute the policy Of
his administration in other respects, it will give plea
sure private cltizen 10 yield my cordial support,
have said that the slavery question, practical IS
sue had disappeared from Kansas and the question Of
sefgovcrnmen had hecn substituted IN its place. On
some future occasion shall dspae that deuson which
has prevailed upon this subject and show that after
three years experiment, when arrived in Kansas there
less than 800 slaves there and the number constant
ly diminishing
1t is las proved by the official records Of Congress pub
lshed and authenticated by those distinguished Southern
statesmen. John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davs) colder
than that OF New England and the pro-slavery Terrific
rial Convention Of Kansas consolidated with the pro-
slavery Territorial Legislature the 4th Of January,
1871 nearly five months before my arrival there, did
abandon the slavery issue, because set forth by
OF their number, the pro-savcry party in small and
admitted minority, and cooperation Of the Free State
Democrats was invited and the only hope Of success,
not TO make Kansas slave State which conceded
be IMPOSSIBLE bu o make il a conservative Deun.