Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-16
tftosn the New YORK Times, 18th
uovER NOR II. ,. WALKER.
Interesting Exposition ofhis Views ana
Purpose. in Regard % Kansas

Washington, on his way TO that Territory. lie
Immediately repaired TO the As,or House, where
he had been invited 10 meet number Of his
personal friends at complimentary dinner Civ
en- by his friend Mr. Sulomon Kohnslamm, at
which were presett L. " Fowler, Esq, Geo
Sanders, Esq, r. J. Dillon, Esq, Hon L. o.
Perrin, Sidney Webster, Esq, Hiram Fuller,
Esq, and some Is or 90 other distinguished
guests.
In response to complimentary toast Mr..
Walker made brief, eloquent, and very efiec-
tive speech, in which he took occasion not only |
to return his thanks for the kind deeling tow
ards himself personally evinced by the company
present, but also to say something of the affairs
and prospects of the Territory which was to 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 Territory, and of do
ing something to settle, decisively and finally, !
the great controversy which had divided the
country and which was the only thing which
threatened the peace and stability of the Union.
lie declared himself devoted 10 the Unon,-
believing that upon its preservation rested the
hopes, not Of this country alone, but Of the
world, for popular Freedom, land said he was
profoundly anxious 10 remove everything which
threatens its peace and menaces its existence
The Kansas question constituted in his judg-
ment, the must threatening of the perils by
which it had ever been threatened; and he hop
ed that, if this could be fairly and satisfactory
Iy adjusted, the last Of the dangers which men
ace its peace would be dispelled. II was this
feeling which had induced him to accept this
appointment, and he was prepared 10 enter up
on his duties in the spirit Of peace and harmo-
ny which their proper discharge would undOubt-
eddy demand. He was prepared and resolved
to attempt the settlement of the differences which
prevail in Kansas, upon the principles OF the
fundamental law of The Territory, and of the
Constitution of the United States ,-prnciples
which had received the sanction of that august
tribunal, the Supreme Court Of the United
States,-namely, that IL BELONGED TO the people
of Kansas 10 decide for themselves tUhdt their do
nestle Institutions should be. He recognized to
the fullest extent TIE justice of these principles.
He believed them to be the only principles up
on which the institutions Of any State could be
fairly and finally established. He believed that
neither Massachusetts, Connecticut nor Nilsson
Fri had any more right TO say what the insiitu-
itions of Kansas should be, than the people of
Kansas had to say what the institutions of
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Missouri should
lbe. II was entirely wrong and demonstrations
al 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 to the full and fair exercise of that SOW
ereignity neutrality-suspicious.. He was prepared
and determined TO apply these principles to the
administration of affairs in Kansas. The peO-
pie of that Territory had clear and unques-
tlonabe right to decide for themselves upon the
adoption of State Constitution, and any at
tempt on the part of any Convention, or any
other body of men, however respectable and in
fuential they might be, to apose upon the Ter
TiIury Constitution sancIIonedpy rue pop
alar vote, would be 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 10 secure
that result, Governor Walker said he was de-
termined The people Of Kansas should hare an
opportunity for a full, free and solemn cypress
ion Of their ,ciH upon The adoption of any Con-
stitStiOn that migMbe framed, -qticr fair and
satisfactory census Of all The bona tide inhabitants
sohO might be in the Territory at The time He
considered this due to them. 1t was part of
their inherent and inalienable sovereignity-
And he should consider it, not only point of
aaw and of official duty, as an officer of the Ter
ritory but point Of honor as a man and a gen
tleaadn, to DO everything in his power to secure
TO them the full, fair and indisputed exercise of
this fundamental right This he believed to
be the great point essential TO the peace and
welfare Of Kansas. If the people could have
such vote, all dissensions would be settled
And he regarded all the past differences-the
contests about the Legislature, about the Tope-
ka Constitution, about the census and register
Of vOters-as preliminary questions impor-
tant, undoubtedly, but deriving most of their
consequence from their relation 10 this great
and paramount questionable right Of the nen-
pie Of Kansas 10 decide for themselves upon the
CONSTITUTION which may be offered for their ad-
option. IL this could be properly and satisfac-
HOriiy adjusted, all the difficulties which nov
embarTass the settlement of the Territory would
disappear. Governor Walker said it had been
W oo III hdIlouS puSlllOuS
and departments Of the public service, but he
had never entered upon any duties which SEEM
ed TO him of more vital importance than those
connected with his present office. He entered
upon their discharge with sincere and earnest
desire TO contribute something to the welfare of
the Territory, and TO the peace and stability of
our common Union. 1.-The could accomplish
ahis, he should feel abundantly repaid for any
aabor or anxiety which the responsibilities rest
ing upon him might involve. He submitted
these remarks, after long day fatiguing iou,-
ney, without the slightest expectation of being
called upon to say anything on the subject but
eiih the utmost frankness and willingness to
make known the views and sentiments with
which he should enter upon the performance Of
his duties.
Mr.. f. o. Perein, who was then called up
on by complimentary sentiment, said that the
public statements which had been made that
he Was going to Kansas in any official
capacity, were entirely without foundation
He intended 10 visit that territory for short
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