Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-31
Imp1rtnnf OMCinl 9OOc1aKment
Rel9ttve 90 Kansas- Affairs.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %

uudlES. T ga
Among them are the following
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18th, 1857.
James W. Denver, Secretary and Act
ing Governor of Kansas Territory:
SIR:-You have already been inform
ed that Mr.. Stanton has been removed
from the Office of Secretary of the Ter
ritory of Kansas, and that you have
been appointed in his place. I desire
now to state to you distinctly, the rea-
son of this change.
The Convention which met at Lee
compton on the 1st of September, had
framed a Constitution, and had author
lied its President to submit the question
to the people on the 21st of December,
who are to decide whether this Consti-
tuition should be adopted without slave
ry. The importance of the issue could
not well be questioned. It involved
the complete and authoritative settle
ment of the only subject of difference
which had seriously agitated Kansas or
interfered with its prosperity The
qualified electors, therefore, to whom
this settlement was referred, were I'M
questionably right to attend the polls
and give their votes, on the day appoint
ed, they were required to do so by the
highest considerations of public duty.
In the exercise of this-right, moreover,
they were entitled to an adequate pro-
lection by the Territorial Government,
aud the Acting Governor was bound to
employ all the legal means at his COM
mand to give security md fairness to
the election. With the conflicting opin-
ions which prevailed in the Territory
on the question submitted, he had no
right to interfere. They had their ap-
propriatc issue at the ballot box. and
TO that peaceful arbitrament they
might safely be referred. The great OBJ
jects to be accomplished, in the opinion
of the President, were to preserve the
peace of the Territory, and secure the
freedom of election. Entertaining these
viows, he was surprised to learn that the
Secretary aud Acting Governor had on
the LIST of December issued a proclama-
ton for a special session of the Terrific
rial Legislature on the 9TH inst, only a
few weeks in advance of the regular
time of meeting, aud only fourteen days
Bef0re a decision was to be made on the
question subm tied by the Convention.
This course of Mr.. Stanton, the Presi-
dent seriously believes has thrown a
new element of discord among the ex-
cited people in Kansas, and it is direct
" at war therefore with the peaceful
Haiey IF the Administration. + +
1iis reason he has felt it his duty to re-
move him.
From these views you will readily 'un-
dcrstand what the President regards as
the chief duty which devolves upon you
as Mr.. Stantou's successor. This duty
is to preserve the peace of Kansas.-,
Everyperson entitled to a vote on the
Constitution, ought to-haye safe access
to the polls and be free from any
restraints whatever, in the exercise OF
the elective franchise. If the civil pow
CT is found insufficient for this purpose,
the troops of the United States should
be employed in aid of it, and it may be
a wise, p~rccaution to lave them station
ed, in advance, within reach of those
places where, in your judgment, their
services are likely to be required. 1t is
earnestly hoped that the use of militia
ry power may be wholly avoided. Vic
lence is always less likely to occur when
the means are known to be at hand for
its prompt suppression. Should the
military force becouIe absolutely neces.
sary, to keep the peace, you will find
full instructions with reference to the
proper mode of employing it in my
communications to Governor Walker,
of March %, July %, and Sept.2, 1857.
and in those subsequently written ITO
A. Sf nc kAo 1oae kIak - Nv
Both was taken to Kansas by YOU, and
you had a copyo of il. All of them will
doubtless be found in the archives of
the Governor, at LccUmpton; they re
fcr, prominently to the preservation of
the peace at certain important elections.
But / need hardly inform you that your
duty is not to be confined to these spe-
cial occasions, it extends of course, to
the protection of all the citizens in the
exercise of their just rights, aud applies
to one. legal election. as we'll as another.
The Territorial Legislature doubtless
convened on the 9TH inst, and while it
remains in session, its members are en-
titled to be secure and free in their de-
Hberations. Its rightful action must
also be respected. Should it authorize
an election by the people for any pur-
pose, this elsction should be held with
out Interruption, no less than those au-
thorized by the Convention. While
the peace Of the Territory is preserved,
and the freedom of election secured,
there need be no fear of disastrous con-
sequences.
The public journals contain reports
81 an intended movement, by a portion
Of the residents of Kansas, to organize
a Revolutionary Government, under the
Topeka Constitution. 1t is hardly pos
sibledhis report can be well founded,
but should the attempt beamade and
lead to a practical collision with the
Territorial authorities, the authority of
the Goyernpent must necessarily be
naaintai1ed3 ada hDu RhaterersgEarter
It is attempted to1interfere by violence
with the election authorized by the Com
ss~titutionaI Convention, or which may
be- authorized by the Legislature the
attempt must be resisted, and the seeur-
ity of the election maintained. The
peaceable Progress of these elections
can ohviouslv occasion no iniurv to anV