Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-23
THg RAFTsmAN's JOURNAL.

disfranchised, and did not give (by no fault of
their own) and could not give solitary vote
for the delegates TO the Convention. This re-
suit was superinduced by the fact that the ter
ritorial Legislature appointed all the Sherlhs
and Probate Judges in all these counties to
whom was assigned the duty by law of making
this census and registry. These officers were
political partisans, dissenting from the views
and opinions of the people of these counties,
proved by the election in October last.
These officers, from want of funds, as they al
legged. neglected or refused to take any census
make any registry in these counties, and
therefore they were entirely dsfranchised, and
could not and did not give single vote at the
election for delegates TO the Constitutional
Convention.
I repeat that, in nineteen counties ont of
thirty-four, there was no census. In fifteen
counties out of thirty four there regis
try, and not a solitary vote was given, or could
be given, for Delegates to the Convention. in
any one of these counties. Surely, then, 1t
cannot be said that such a Convention, chosen
by scarcely more than one tenth of the pres
ent voters of Kansas, represented the people
of that Territory, and could rightly impose
Constitution upon them without their consent
These nineteen counties, in which there was
no census, constituted majority of the coun-
ties of the Territory, and these fifteen coun-
ties in which there was no registry gave
much larger vote at the October election,
even with tho six months qualification, than
the whole vote given to the Lecompton Con-
Stitution On the 18th of November last. If,
then, sovereignty can be delegated, and the
Convention as such are sovereign, which de-
ny, surely it must be only in such cases as
when such Convention are chosen by the
people, which we have seen was not the case
as regards the late Lecompton Convention.
1t was for this and other reasons that in my
inaugural aud other addresses | insisted that
the Constitution should be submitted to the
people by the Convention, the only means
of curing this vita! defect in its organization.
II was, therefore, among other reasons that
when, as you know, the organization called
the ssTopeka State Government; was made.
and q consequence an inevitable civil war
and conflict must have ensucd, these results
were prevented by my assuring, not the Abo-
litionists. has been enormously stated (for
my address was not TO them, but to the peo-
pie of Kansas, that in my Judgment the
Constitution would be submitted fairly and
freely for ratification rejection by their
vote; and that if this was not done. would
unite with them 0he people, as | now do, in
lawful opposition to such procedure.
The power and responsibility being derolYed
exclusively upon me by the President Of using
the Federal army in Kansas to suppress insur-
rection, the alternative was distinctly present
ed to me by questions propOunded at Topeka
of arresting revolution by the slaughter OF the
people, or of preventing it, together with that
civil war which must have extended through
out the Union, by solemn assurance then
given that the right of the people to frame
their own government, so far as my power cX-
| tended, should be maintained; but for this as
surance ii is a conceded fact that the Topeka
State government, then assembled in legisla-
tive session, wOuld have been put into imme-
diatc actual operation, and that SanTUinary col
I lision with the Federal army, and civil war
must have cnsued, extending, it is feared,
throughout the Union. Indeed, the whole idea
of an inaugural address originated in the a.
farming intelligence which had reached Wash
ingtOn City of pcrlous and inGipicnt rebellion
in Kansas. This insurrection was rendered
still more formidable, on my reacl ing the Ter
ritory, by the near approach of the revolu-
tionary State legislature, and the very numer-
Gus mass conventions by which it was snstain-
ed. In truth, had TO choose between arrest
ing that insurreCtion at whatever cost of A.
merican blood by the Federal army, or to pre-
| vent the terrible catastrophe, as | did by my
pledges to the people OF the eXertion of all INV
| power to obtain a fair election, and the sub
mission of the Constitution to the vctc of the
| people, for ratification or rejection. NV in
augural and other addresses were therefore re-
| ally in the nature of proclamations SO often
| issued by presidents and governors with view
| to prevent, as they did IN this case, civil war
and instruction. | was, therefore, only per-
| forming my solemn duty when, as Governor Of
| thc Territory 10 whose people my first obilga-
| tions were due, L endeavored to secure to
| them these results.
| | state it as 4 fact, based on 4 long and init
| mate association with the people of Kansas,
| that an overwhelming majority of that people
| are opposed to that instrument, and nv letters
state that but one out of twenty Of the press
| of Kansas sustains it. Indeed, disguise il
| as we may to ourselves under the influence of
| present excitement, the facts will demonstrate G
| that any attempt by Congress to force this
| Constitution upon the people OF Kansas, will
| be an effort to substitute the will of small
minority, for that of an overwhelming major
| ity of the people of Kansas; that it will not
settle the Kansas question or lOcalize the issue
| that 1t will, | fear, be attended by civil war
| extending. perhaps, throughout the United
States, bringing this question back again upon
| Congress and before the people in its most
| dangerous and alarming aspect.
| Be pleased to express to the President my
deep regret as regards our unfortunate differ
ence of opinion in relation to the Lecompton
| libility does not belong to man, however ex-
! altcd in intellect, purity of intention or posi-
| ton, yet If he has committed any errors in
| thisl respect, may they be overruied bv a
experimenting providence for the perpetuity
| OF our Union and the advancement the honor
and interest of our beloved country.
In now dissolvng my official connection
with your Department, beg leave to tender
| 10 you my thanks for your consistent COURTESY
and kindness. Most Respectfully,
Your obed't scrv't, r. J. WALKER.
|