Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-05-21
From the N. Y. Times.
Governor y. J. Walker.
irrrsrsrrss sxros,rios OF MS VIEWS AND


ruhrosrs IN REeAHp no xAssAs.
Hon. Robert J. Walker, the new eov.rn-
OF Of Kansas, arrived in this city last even,
ing from Washington, on his way to that
territory, He Immediately repaired to the
Astor House, where he had been invited to
meet number Of his personal friends at q
complimentary dinner given by his friend
Mr.. Soiomon Kohnstamm, at which were
present !. v. Fowler, ESQ.,, George San
ders, ESQ.,, Hon. E. D. Ferris, Sidney Web
stcr, esq, Hiram Fuller, esq, and some if
teen or twenty other distinguished guests.
In response 70 q complimentary toast,
Mr.. Walker made brief, eloquent and
very effective speech, in which he took &C.
casion not only 10 return his thanks for the
kind feeling towards himself personally
evincsd BY the company present, but also
tosay something of the sffairs and pros.
poets Of the territory which was 10 be the
scene Of his future labors. He said that
nothing could have induced him to accept
the Office Of governor Of Kansas, rendered
him by the president Of the United States,
but the hope Of restoring peace to that ter
ritory, and Of doing something TO settle, de-
cisiyciy and finally, the great controversy
which had divided the country, and which
wss the only thing which threatened the
peace and stability of the Union believing
that upon its preservation rested the hopes,
not Of this country alone, but Of the world,
for popular freedom-and said he was pro-
foundry anxious TO remove everything which
threatens its peace and menaces its exist
ence. The Kansas question constituted, in
his judgement, the most threatening Of the
perils by which it had ever been threatened,
and he hoped that, il this could be fairly and
satisfactorily adjusted, the last Of the dan
gers which menace its peace would be dis
PEELED. It was this feeling which had in
duced him to accept this appointment, and
he was prepared to enter upon its duties in
the spirit Of peace and harmony, which
their proper discharge would undoubtedly
demand. He was prepared and resolved TO
attempt the settlement Of the differences
which prevail in Kansas, upon the princi.
pies OF the fundamental law of the territory,
and Of the Constitution Of the United States
principles which had received the sane
tion Of that sugust tribunal, the supreme
court Of the United States that il
belonged 10 the people Of Kansas to decide
for themselves what their domestic institu-
tions should be. He recognized TO the full
est extent the justice Of these principles
He believed them to be the only principles
could be finally established. He believed
that neither Massachusetts, Connecticut or
Missouri had any more right to say what
the institutions, OF Kansas should be, than
the people Of Kansas had to say what
the institutions of Massachusetts,, Connec-
ticut snd Missouri should be. 1t was en-
tireiy wrong and unconstitutional for the
people Of any one state to interfere with the
affairs or institutions Of any other. Each
was sovereign and independent, and was
entitled 10 the full and fair exercise Of that
sovereignty and independence. He was
prepared and determined to apply these
principles 10 the standardization Of affairs in
Kansas. The people OF that territory had
q clear and unquestioaable right to decide
for themselves upon the adoption Of q state
constitution and any attempt on the part
n Of any convention, or any other body of men,
Ahowever respectable and influential they
might be, TO impose upon the territory q
Substitution not sanctioned by the popular
Y vote, would be q usurpation and wrong
which could not be tolerated for moment.
So far as the utmost exercise OF his official
(. powers and his personal influence would 60
to secure that result, Governor Walker said
he was determined the people of Kansas
n should have an opportunisy~for full, free
and solemn expression Of their will upon
the adoption Of any constitution that might
be framcd-after fair and satisfactory CEN
sus oil all the bona fde inhabitants who
nigh, be in the territory at the time. He
considered this due TO them. II was part
Of their inherent and inalienable sovereign
~. And he should consider it, not only
point Of law and Of official duty, as an Off
Ger Of the territory, but point of honor as
man and gentleman, to do everything in
his power to secure TO them the full, fair
and undisputed exercise Of this fundamen-
tal right. This he believed to be the great
point essential to the peace and welfare Of
Kansas. Ii the people could have such
vote, all dissensions would be settled
And he regarded all the past differences
the contests about the legislature, abou. the
Topeka constitution, about the census and
register Of voters--as preliminary ques-
lions; important, undoubtedly, but deriving
most Of their consequence from their rela-
ton to this great and paramount question
the right of the people Of Kansas TO decide
for themselves upon the constitution which
may be offered for their adoption. If this
could be properly and satisfactorily adjust
ed, all the difficulties which now embarrass
the settlement of the territory would disap-
pear. Governor Walker said i, had been
his fortune to be engaged in various posi-
lions and department Of the public service,
but he had never entered upon any duties
which seemed 10 him Of more vital impor-
lance than those connected with his pres
ant Office. He entered upon their discharge
with sincere and earnest desire to coutri
butte something to the welfare of the terri.
tory, and to the peace and stability of our
common Union. II he could accomplish
this, he should feel abundantly repaid for
any labor or anxiety which the responsible
tiles resting upon him might involve. He
submitted these remarks after a long day's