The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-11

u military tofCo III h1nokS. kus NoobA-t
,f the United States had most wisely declared
q to be I" the true intent and meaning OF
the act, (the act organising the territoryD
not 10 legislate slavery into any territory or
snte, nor to exclude il therefrom, but 70
leave the people thereof perfectly free 70
form and regulate their domestic Institutions
in their own way. subject only TO the Con-
stitution Of the United states" As . nat
ural consequence, Congress has already pre-
scribed by the same act that when the terri
tory Of Kansas shall be admitted as state |
il "a shall be received into the Union with or
without slavery, as their constitution may
prescribe ut the time of their admission"
Slavery eristed at that period, and sfiH ef-
ISIS, IN Kansas, under The Constitution q me
United States. This point has ut last been
finally settled by the highest tribunal known
to our laws. How it could ever have been
seriously doubted 10 mystery. II q oonied-
Grafton Of sovereign States acquire new
territory, at the expense Of their common
blood and treasure, surely one set OF the
partners can have no right to exclude the
other from its enjoyment, by prohibiting
them from taking into il whatever Is recog-
nixed to DO property by the common consti-
tuition. But when the people-the bona nae
residents OF such territory-proceed 70 frame
State constitution, then IL 10 their right 70
decide the important question for themselves
whether they will continue, modify or abol-
ish slavery. To them and to them alone
does this question belong, free from oil for
eign interference.
In the opinion Of the territorial legisla-
ture Of Kansas the time had arrived for On.
tering the Union, and they accordingly pass.
ed law to elect delegates Tor the purpose oil
framing state constitution. This law was
fair and Just in its provisions. IL conferred
{" the right OF suffrage on every bona tds
inhabitant of the territory :" and for the
purpose VI prevent, '1un,S - .sr -.
sion OF Citizen 10 states
most prop-rit :. 'knt 70 those
who had reside 90 .. tnree months previ-
Gus to the election. Here fair opportunity
was presented for all the qualified resident
citizens of the territory, to whatever organi-
xation they may previously have belonged,
10 participate in the election, and to express
their opinions ut the ballot-box on the ques-
ton OF slavery. But numbers Of lawless
men still continued to resist the regular ter
ritorial government. They retuse~ either to
be registered or to vote, and the members OF
the Convention were elected, legally and
properly, without their Intervention. The
Convention will soon assemble TO perform
the solemn duty Of framing constitution
for themselves and their posterity; and in
the state Of incipient rebellion which still
exists in Kansas, il is my imperative duty to
lemploy the troops of the United States,
should this become necessary, in defending
the Convention against violence whilst franz
ing the constitution, and in protecting the
=. bona fde Inhabitants" qualified to vote
under the provisions Of this instrument in
the free exercise of the right of suffrage
when il shall be submitted to them for their
appreciation or rejection.
| have entire confidence in Governor
Walker, that the troops will not be employ
ed except to resist actual aggressions or in
tie execution Of the laws ; and this not un-
ill the power of the civil magistrate shall
prove unayailing. Following the wise ex.
ample Of Mr. Madison towards the Hartford
Convention, illegal and dangerous combina-
tons such rs that OF the Topeka Convention
will not be disturbed unless they shall at
tempt TO perform some act which will bring
them into actual collision with the constitu-
ton and the laws. In that event they shall
DO resisted and put down by tho whole pow
er of the government. In performing this
duty shall have the appreciation of my own
conscience, and, Us l humbly trust, Of my
God.
thank you for the assurance that you
will mot refrain from the prayer that Al
mighty God will make my administration
an example Of justice and bene6cenee. "
You can greatly assist me in arriving at this
blessed consummation, by exerting your IN
tluence in allaying the existing sectional ex.
cltement on the subject OF slavery, which
has been productive Of much evil and no
good, and which, if il could succeed in OBJ
tanning its object, would ruin the slave as
well as his master This would DO work
Of genuine philanthropy. Every day OF my
life feel how inadequate am to perform |
the duties of my high station without the
continued support Of Divine Providence {;
yet placing my trust in Him, and in Him
alone, entertain good hope that He will
enable me to do equal justice to all portions
Of the Union, aud thus render me a humble
instrument in restoring peace and harmony
among the people of the several States.
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES Buchanan.
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