The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-09-17

"'o'nS uom Hou taktb& INTO u wnatso.
ever is recognized to be property BY the
common constitution. But when the peo.
Ple-the bona .fide residents 81 such Terri.
tory-proceed to frame State constitution.
then it is their right to decide the impor.
tant question for themselves whether they
will continue, modify or abolish slavery.
10 them, and to them alone, does this oues.
ton belong, free from all foreign interfer-
ence.
In the opinion Of the territorial legi.la.
ture OF Kansas. the time had arrived for en-
tering the Union. and they accordingly
passed a law to elect delegates for the pur.
pose Of forming state constitution. This
law was fair and just in its provisions. Il
conferred tue right Of suffrage on "every
bona .fde inhabitant Of the Territory" and,
Tor the purpose Of preventing fraud. and the
Intrusion Of citizens Of near or distan, States,
most properly confined this right 10 those
who had resided thereon three months pre-.
vlous to the election. Here fair opportu.
nifty was presented for all the qualified resi-.
dent citizeus Of the Territory, TO whatever
organization they might have previously
belonged, to participate in the election, and
to express their opinions at the ballot. box
on the question Of slavery. But numbers oil
lawiess men still continued TO resist the
regular territorial government. They re.
fused either to be registered or 10 vote; and
the members OF the convention were elected,
legally and properly, without their inter.
vention. The convention will soon assem-.
ble to perform the solemn duty Of framing
constitution for themselves and their pos
terity: and in the state of iucipient rebellion
which still exists in Kansas, it is my i'm.
pera,ive duty to employ the troops of the
United States, should this become necessa
ry, in defending the convention against vio-
lence whilst framing the constitution, and
In protecting the bona tide inhabitants"
qualified TO vote under the provision Of this
instrument in the free exercise Of the right
OF suffrage when it shall be submitted to
them for their appreciation or rejection.
have entire confidence in Gov. Walker
tha, the troops will not be employed except
to resist actual aggression or in the sxecu-
ton OF the laws; and this not until the
power of the civil magistrate shall prove
unavailing. Following the wise example
OF MIR. Madison towards the Hartford Con-
vention, illegal and dangerous combina-
tions, such as that Of the Topeka conven.
ton, will not be disturbed unless they shall
attempt to perform some act which will
bring them into actual collision with the
constitution and the laws. In that event,
they shall be resisted and put down by the
whole power Of the government In perform
ing this duty | shall have tine appreciation
OF my own conscience, and, rs l humbly
trust, Of my God.
thank you for the assurance that you
will mot refrain from the prayer that Al
mighty God will make my administration
an example of justice and bene6cence." I"
You can greatly assist me in arriving at
this blessed consummaton by exerting your
influence in allaying the existing sectional
excitement on the subject of slavery, which
has been productive of much evil and no
good, and which, If il could succeed in al.
tanning its object, would ruin the slave as
well AS his master. This would be a work
Of genuine philanthropy. Every day Of my
life feel how inadequate am to perform
the duties Of my high station without the
continued support Of Divine Providence;
yet, placing my trust in Him, and in Him
alone. entertain good hope that He will
enable me to do equal justice to all portions
Of the Union, and thus render me an hum.
ble instrument in restoring peace and har.
mony among the people Of the several States
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Rev. NArH. w. TAYLOR, d. D., Rev. THEo.
ID. WooLsEY, ID. d.. LII. d.. Hon. HEN.
RY DUTToN, Rev. DAVID SMITH, d. d.,
Rev. j. HAwEs, d. D., and others.