Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-09-17

| stitutions in their own way, subject only TO
the constitution Of the United States" As
a natural consequence Congress has also pre-
| scribed by the same act that when the Ter
ritory OF Kansas shall be admittedas State
il "shal be received into the Union, with
or without slavery as their constitution may
prescribe at the time Of their admission"
Slavery existed at that period, and still
exists in Kansas, under the constitution Of
the United States. This point has at last
been finally decided by the highest tribunal
known TO our laws. How it could ever
have been seriously doubted is a mystery.
Ii confederation Of sovereign States ac-
quire 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 whatsoever is recog
nized to be property by the common consti-
tuition. But when the people-the boua file
residents Of such territory proceed TO
frame State constitution, then it is their
right to decide the important question for
themselves, whether they will continue,
modify or abolish slavery. To them, and 10
them alone, does this question belong, free
from all foreign interference.
In the opinion Of the territorial legislature
Of Kansas, the time had arrived for enter
ing The Union, and they accordingly passed
law TO elect delegates Tor the purpose OF
, framing State constitution. This law was
fair and just i'll its provisions. 1t conferred
the right Of suffrage on every bona iide in
habitant Of the Territory and, for the pur-
r pose of preventing fraud, and the intrusion
of citizens OF near and distant States, most
r properly confined this right TO those who had
resided therein three months previous to the
election. Here fair opportunity was pre-
sented for all the qualified resident citizens
OF the Territory, 10 whatever organization
they might have previously belonged, TO
participate in the election, and to express
their opinions at the ballot-box on the ques-
ton of slavery. But numbers of lawless
= men still continued TO resist the regular ter
, ritorial government. They refused 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 Tor
themselves and their posterty; and in the
state OF inoipent rebellion which still exists
, in Kansas it is my imperative duty TO EN-
ploy the troops OF the United States, should
this become necessary, in defending the
II convention against violence whilst framing
r the constitution, and in protecting the 'bona
: fide inhabitants" qualified to vote under the
e provisions OF this instrument in the free ex.
'f ercise Of the right of suffrage when it shall
d be submitted TO them for their appreciation
G or rejection.
n have entire confidence in Gov. Walker
& that the troops will not be employed except
e TO resist actual aggression or in the execu-
e tion of the laws; and this not until the pow
? er of the civil magistrate shall prove una
= vailing. Following The wise example OF
d .Mr. Madison towards The Hartford Conven
j. ton, illegal and dangerous combination sucl
il as that OF the Topeka Convention, will MOI
n be disturbed unless they shall attempt Il
l. perform some act which will bring then
g. into actual collision with the constitution anc
n laws. In that event, they shall be resisted
and put down by the whole power of lh'
l. Government. In performing this duty
% shall have the appreciation Of my own con
1t science, and, as l humbIy trust, OF my God
't thank you for the assurance that yo,
will not refrain from The prayer that Al
r mighty God will make my administration III
10 example OF justice and benificrnce YoI
l. can greatly assist me in arriving at thi
s. blessed cousummation by exerling your in
l. fuence in allaying the existing sectional ex
pit citement OH the subject OF slavery, whc
re has been productive OF much evil and N
E. good, and which, il it could succeed in at
I'd tanning its object, would ruin the slave a
in well as his master. This would be wor
he of genuine philanthropy. Every day of m
on life ] feel how inadequate am 10 perlort
to the duties of my high station without tn
It's continued support OF Divine Providence, ys
S. placing my trust in Him, and in Him alone
of entertain good hope that he will enabl
he me to do equal justice to all portions OF III
n Union, and thus render me an humble ir
e. strument in restoring peace and harmon
III among the people Of the several States.
Yours, very respectfully,
n JAMES BUCHANAN.
n Rev. Nathaniel w. Taylor, d. d.
CO Rev. Theodore d. Weolsey, D. D., LII. l
~ Hon. Henry Du,ton.
Rev. David Smith. d. d.
Nv Ra,, uamae n n onJ tho.