The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-11-05
The ARairs OF Kansas- Governor
walker.

The ARairs OF KnnsaslG lGovernor
Walker.
On the frat page Of to.day's paper will
be found the proclamation Of Governor
Walker and Secretary Stanton. Of Kansas,
In regard to the recent election. These
officers have taken high ground, and 1t may
be question worthy Of serious considera-
ton, whether they have not exceeded their
authority as' Governor snd Secretary Of the
Territory. IL is usually the province OF the
Legislature and Congress TO decide upon
the qualifications Of their respective mem
bers. In case Of a contested seat, the ques.
ton is al,Oays brought before these bodies.
We cannot but look upon the rejection Of
the Oxford vote, in the manner in which it
was done, as at least great stretch Of au-
ihority. If the administration should take
ground against Walkerin this affair, it will
not be upon the plea that corrupt and H..
legal vote should be counted; but upon the
other principle, that the question belonged
legitimately to the Legislature and Con.
gress.
Notwithstanding this apparent, and per.
haps real over reach of power, we cannot
but rejoice that Governor Walker has had
the nerve and courage to condemn, 10 this
public manner, a high handed tttempt to
corrupt the ballot box. Thdt the pretended
election in the Oxford District was mere
farce, there cannot be doubt, il the reports
which reach US are correct. When Walker
went to Kansas, it was proclaimed by the
administration that the people of that terri.
tory, by q fair and legal vote, should be
permitted to regulate their own concerns,
and elect their own officers. Governor
Walker has now carried out the pledge sue.
cessfully. The good and time honored doc.
rine Of self government is working out its
peaceful fruits. In every election precinct,
save one, the people voted, and men of all
parties participated in the election. In tha,
one, Governor Walker, in The face Of some
of his own party and the bit,erest denuncia.
tions of shareholders, has rejected the vote
because it ras fraudulent.
By the rejection Of this vote, Parrott, the
Free State candidate for Congress, is cleo
ted, and mojority of the Free State mer
are chosen to the Legislature. But wha, o.
that! 1t is the WILL of the people of Kan.
sas that it should be SO. Their will, ex
pressed through that engine of power-,he
ballot box, is and ought to be omnpotent
and whether it place the Democrats or Re
publcans, the Free or Slave State men ir
power, it'matters NOT.
The fact that there has been peaceful
and legal election in Kansas is great mora
and political triumph. 1t shows that the
influence of shriekers and agitators is or
the wane-that the people there have re
solved to go to work Ike MEN to manag,
their own affairs, shape their own institu
iions, and control their own political de-,
tiny.
Governor Walker and Secretary Stanton
are both Southern men-one from Tenuen
see and the other from Mississippi. Their
prejudices are supposed 10 be in favor o
the South. Their action in this matter o
rejecting spurious votes, even though il b.
not strictly within the scope of their author
lty' shows them to be men capable of rising
above local prejudice and personal interest,"
when dischnrging on official duty. They
have acted without fear or favor from onv
class OF men or any political prrty. They
have administered the Kansas and Nebraska 9
act according to its intent and meaning.
We will leave the discussion of the oues.
ton, whether Walker and Stanton have
gone beyond their legitimate power and as
sumed authority which belongs only TO m
Legislature and Congress, to another time,
when the facts upon oil sides shall be more
fully developed.
The question as to the freedom or slavery
OF Kansas was settled long ago. Not only
the Republican party Of Kansas, bat, at the
least, three fourths Of the Democratic par,v
are in favor of making it free State. Gov.
Ransom, the Democratic candidate for Con.
gress, is well known to be In favor of free
institutions; SO also, Purrott, the Republican
candidate, and both these gentlemen ore in
nVor OF the principles OF the Kansas and
Nebraska act. There is another fact. too.
that is apparent: Kansas will be a Demo
cratic State. Even at this stage of the case.
it is said that Parrott, the delegate elect
will act with the National Democracy. At
Washington. When few months are rome
oy' and the tide Of politics in that territory
begins to fow in peaceful and permanent
channel, those who stand upon the doctrines
OF popular sovereignty and free federation
to all religions and opinions, cannet fsH to
gain permanent ascendency.
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