The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-11

from the ncighboring State Of Missouri
and thus the fint Legislature which ever
met in Kansas was chosen by men who
had no part nor lot in the country, and
who only imerfered for the purpose OF
establishing slavery there. And It is the
laws, or cnactments rather, Of this foreign
legislature, which President Buchanan
SAYS shall be obcyed, and which he has
ordered the army of the United States to
sustain. And what are these laws! One
of them cffcctually shuts the ballot-box
against every man who will not sustain
slavery. Every man who will not in CT.
feet, take his oath to do this, Is dcbarred
from voting, either for members OF the
legislature or OF the Constitutional Con-
yention. No one is better aware OF this
fact than Mr.. Buchanan, and yet he ddres
to say that portion Of the people OF
Kansas are unriiiiny TO trust the ballot
box"
We might multiply points, and pro-
tract the examination we are making OF
this letter, but We have not space. No
man knows better than the President, that
majority Of the people Of Kansas have
not been allowed the use Of the ballo,
box, that the requirements Of the border
ruffian laws have ctfectually closcdthc bal,
lot box against those opposed to making
Kansas n slave State, and, that by false
systems ofregistering Of votes, unfair and
unjust appointments made by border
rufiian Legislators and their officers, the
people of Kansas can have no hope Of
Justice in the elections, and that their only
chance for fairness is by compelling right
to be done them, by appealing, If neces'
sary, to the force which they have organ
lied to protect them when they vote. as
they propose to do, in the coming October
election. II Mr.. Buchanan authorizes the
hircling soldicry of the United States to
interfere with their rights, il the bayonc'
ola single United States soldier by hi'
command enter the breast Of single free
State man, or a single man is shot while
exercising his rights, not derived by the
authority Of bogus laws, but inherent N
him, the consequences which may result
from it, no man can calculate. Sure We
are, that the people of the free States will
not quietly or co!dly look on, while the
federal administration is butchcring with
its mcrccnary soldicry, irecmen who arr
guilty of no crime, and striving only fol
their rights.
Before we close We wish to put on
record, and to draw attention TO single
sentence more from this letter. II is this
"But when the pcople--thc bona iidc
residents of such Tcrriiory-proceed ia
frame State Constitution, then il is their
right to decide the important question for
themselves, whether they will continue,
modify, or abolish slavery
Most carefully expressed language. II
slavery exists in Kansas, as Mr.. Buchan,
an SAYS, then will it be necessary for the
people to declare in their constitution
whether they will CONTINUE, MODl'
FY or ABOLISH slavery. II the con
stitution is silent upon it, slavery is there
We make this comment because 1t is
stated that the plan of tho administration
is TO have constitution framed silent on
the subject, in the hope that such con-
stitution may be got through Congress.
Silence on the point is success to slavery,
and defeat to freedom. We are glad that
the people through this letter will under
stand what is meant hereafter, when a
new territory makes application to be-
come State and her constitution docs
not inhibit slavery.