Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-04
BUCHANAN VS.. WALKER

will be seen that the way is opened for a
stormy time on the Kansas question. The
assurances Of Gov. Walker that the Consti-
tuition should be submitted to the people, for
their approval or rejection, arc all cast aside
by the pro-slavery Constitutional Convention,
and the Constitution which they have just
framed is thrust upon the people of Kansas
wheiher or no,-the people being allowed only
to express their choice whether they will take
it with slavery. or without it. Hence, Gov.
Walker repudates the action of the Conven-
ton. President Buchanan, on the other
hand, comes to the aid Of these pro-slavory
schemers, and sustains their action. The APP
pcarances are that this difference cannot be
adjusted, and that the right Of the people of
Kansas to vote upon the Constitution under
which they arc to live, will be one of the most
exciting questions to be brought before Con-
gress.
WAsHNGroN, Nov. %. Gov Walker
had long and friendly interview with the
President, to-day. They discussed Kansas
affairs at length, especially relative to the pro-
priety of sustaining the action of the Con-
stitutional Convention in not referring the en-
tire instrument to the people. The distin-
guishod gentlemen though differing radically,
parted friends. and appointed another inter-
view for the discussion of the same subject.
Some of their mutual friends hope for the
ultimate reconciliation of their views, but the
hope is fallacious. Their differences are too
radical for a compromise. Open hostility is
inevitable. The Governor s opposition to the
Constitution is not founded on the slavery
cause. which is alone partially submitted, but
on the refusal of the Convention TO permit
the people to vote against, as well as for, the
Constitutions
lie regards this as a violation Of the fcder-
al Convention, of the Nebraska Kansas bill
Of popular sovereignty, and of the right of
selt-government. The President insists that
as the Constitutional Convention was author
lied by Congress, he is bound to sustain its
action, whatever IL may be while Walker
holds that the application Of his doctrine. to
sustain the refusal to submit the entire Com
stitution to the popular vote. amounts to the
simple assertion Of the right Of Congress to
force any constitution on the territory. instead
Of leaving the people to decide for themselves.
Gov. Walker has never vet seen the con-
stitution. and nobody outside knows what it
is. All efforts of the Governor TO obtain a
copy failed There is reason to fear that the
sgncrs will be driven from the territory ;
that it will be considered spurious, and that
the state government never can be set in OPP
Grafton under it, unless by the federal arms
Gev. Walker declares that be cannot acqui-
osce in the action of the Convention without
violating every pledge he ever gave, and sac-
rtcing his honost convictions to mako him
self Infamous. II resistance is made TO the
establishment Of the state government. the
President will necessarily call upon the Gov
crnor of the territory To exercise force to put
it down. This, with his sentiments. Walker
cannot do and will not, nor viii he resign.
WAsHNcroN, Nov. 27.-1Specill to y.
y. 1m,sl At the Cabinet meeting to-day
the President stated Gov. Walkers position
on Kansas affairs. The Cabinet unanimously
united with the President in favor of sustain
ing the action of the Constitutional Conven-
ton in respect to the reference of the Const-
tuition to the people, and to condemn Walk
cr. The door to reconciliation with Gov.
Walkers position is now closed, aud bitter
contest between the two wings Of fhc Democ-
r0cy is unavoidable.
r'f+iNNNA Af'Ni ih' iioa hNfh tNAlA lfNll. AS
the author Of the Kansas Nebraska Act he
will take bold ground in support of Walker
This the President has not hitherto believed
Douglas holds that the refusal to submit the
whole constitution to the people when they
desire it, is the civurcsr rcpudioiion of the doc
trne of popular sovereignty.
Senator Gwin. though a decided pro- slav-
cry man, is understood to be determined to
sustain Walker. This is the universal senG-
mont from the Free State Democracy as re-
ceiyed here.
NEW YoHE, Nov %. ,Washiugton cor
rcsp1ndence Of the Hrald. Gov. Walker
had his second interview with Buchanan to-
day, but each remained fixed in his own opin-
ion, and now there is but little or no hope of
a compromise. The Governor says he could
not influence single man in Kansas to vote
for the Constitution, so great is the popular
prejudice to the whole proceeding. His idea
Is, that Congress shall promptly pass a bill,
similar, in all respects, to the Minnesota Ter
utorial bill, providing for a State Govern
mont in Kansas. This would avoid the whole
difficulty, by doing away with any action
whatever on the proceedings of the late Con-
venton. Letters received to-day show the
overwhelming popular opposition in the Ter
rltory 10 the Constitution.
WAsHINGroN, Nov 20 Correspondence
of Courier ami EHq1irr.) The substance of
what passed between Gen Walker and the
President on Thursday last, is correctly Civ
en- in the telegraphic dispatches, with the ex-
ception that the President indicated policy
of mastery inactivity" in respect to future
proceeding in Kansas The Convention and
the proceedings are approved, and Mr.. Walk
er's views are radically dissented from; but
it appears that the President will not any far
ther interpose the power of the army between
the Convention and the people
Gov. Walker has earnestly counseled the
Free state men against any violence for their
protection against the imposition of a sham
constitution upon them, holding that they
have safe reliance upon the justice of Con-
gross His policy is to guard against illegal
voting by the Lecomptians, and to protest, by
memorial addressed to Congress lie thinks
that Congress ought to and will pass an ona-
bling act, under which the already clearly ex-
pressed will of the people will be carried out.
In the meantime, unless the President re-
moves Gov. Walker, the Legislature will
meet, and the Territorial government will 90
on, Notwithstanding the autocratic powers of
President Calhoun. 1t is obvious that the
contest will be long one, and that the set
tomont Of it will be deferred until near the