Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-07-09
Walker and KANSAS.

lou anu lax COu1Sc DTO-
posed by Gov. Walker, as indicated in
his inaugural address, and his Topeka
speech. The New York Tribune den
ounces both Walker and Secretary Stan
ton as snakes IN the grass, and as more
thorough paced aud mscrupwEo~s border
rw6fons, than the border ru0ian Legislo-
tire ITSELF The iSo~th, and other South
ern journals, dcnounce him as faithlcss
to the interests of slavery. All this
affords about as good evidence as we
need desire, that the line of policy
marked out by him is likely to prove as
nearly what every fair-mindcd man
would ask rs could be devised in the
delicate nature of Kansas affairs. 1t
will be remembered that Gov. Walker
in his address to the citizens made use
of the following most significant dccla-
ration
81 come now to NJ y own individual
views. l repeat, then, as my clear con-
v~iction, that unless the convention sub
nit the constitution to the vote of all
the actual resident settlers of Kansas,
and the election be fairly and justly
conductea4 the constitution will be, and
oughttsS esrejected-by Congress"
His instructions received from the
President, so far as they can be gathered
from Mr.. Walkers remarks, assume the
submission of tho Constitution to a vote
of the people as a certain matter, not
admitting of serious question, and
we now have in the columns of the
Washington Union what may possibly
be regarded as in some degree an author
lied declaration of the views of Mr..
Buchanan. We make the following cx-
tract:
When the delegates chosen to the
Convention shall have completed the
business for which they shall have as
sembled-to wit: the formation of a
Constitution-thcre will remain but one
question for further division and dis
traction, and that question will be, Is
the Constitution thus formed approved
by the people of Kansas, and does it
reflect their will on the question, not
only of slavery, but upon all others ? If
it does, every one will say that, with
that Constitution, whether slave, free,
or silent on that point, she would be
admitted as Il State. If it does not,
then no n will pretend, that a Consti-
tuition, condemned by a majority of the
people, should be forced upon them, no
matter under what forms, and by what
authority adopted.
Every other guard necessary for
fair and honest decision by a majority
vote of the bona fde citizens Of Kansas,
should be provided. When this has
been, and decision pronounced, which
everybody sees and feels has been fairly
and honestly reached, the whole country
will acquiescc in it, whether that deci-
sion makes Kansas q slave or free State.
In reference to the position of the
Administration, we feel authorized to
say, that it has not and will not intim-
ate a desire either that the one or the
other result shall be reached. As the
representative of the whole country, its
duty commences and ends in so enfor-
cling the law as will most certainly Sc
cure to the bona file citizens of Kan
sas the opportunity ofdeciding for them
selves this vexed question, free from all
outside and improper influence.
These facts would seem to set at rest
all apprehension that any intention is
contemplated to force upon the people
of Kansas, a Constitution other than
such an one as a majority of the citi-
zens, by their solemn vote, may express
themselves satisfied with. 1t remains
to be seen whether the suicidal course
which the supposed political necessities
of a party have demanded: will be car
ried to the extent of a refusal to vote
upon the adoption of the Constitution
when presented. This course is thus
emphatically condemned by the Ma
tio"ol MteHigenccr:
eve had hoped TIL. in the amnesty
for all past offences, whether real or
constructive, with which Gov. Walker
inauggrated his career, we should have
witnessed a more cheerful support Of his
authority than certain among the lead
ers of what is called the "Free State
Party" have been ready to accord to
him; nor are VIC the more convinced of
the wisdom Of their determination be-
cause they have been sustained in it by
the advice Of partisans remote from the
scene of the Kansas difficulties. In
their uncompromising refusal to exer-
else the right of suffrage under the laws
and regulations Of the late 'Fusurping
Legislature" as they term it, even tho
by such an exercise, if their preponde-
rance in hat Territory be SO great as
they claim, they might bring that "usur-
patton" to a peaceful and determinate
end; in this refusal, we say, to exercise
the elective franchise, tho "Free State
Party have given proof of a stubborn
consistency which approaches rather to
the character of factious contumacy than
of a conciliatory patriotism"
The infamy of the men, who for po-
litical ends, have counseled and sus-
tanned this action of the so-called Gree
State Party" must excite the loathing
and adherence of every good citizen.
The course herein indicated of the De-
mocratic party and its ministers will be
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