Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-12-31

in reach of those places, where, in your judg-
ment their services are likely to be required.
It is earnestly hoped that the use Of the mill
Itary power may be wholly avoided. Violence
is less, likely to occur when the means are known
TO be at hand for its prompt suppression. =
Should the military force become absolutely me-
Ieessary ia keep the peace, you will find full in
tstructions with reference to the proper mode OF
lemployingit, in my communications to Cover
nor Walker of March 2sth, July 18th, and
! September I'd, 1857, and in those subsequently
written to Mr.. Stanton. Of these last, that OF
November 30th was taken to Kansas by. you
and you had copy of it. All of them will
doubtless be found in the archives of the Cover
nor, at Lecompton.
They refer prominently to the preservation
of the peace at certain important elections
But need hardly inform you that your duty is
not intended to be confined to these special oc-
casions. Itsextends, of course, to the protection
of all citizens in the exercise of their just rights
and applies to one legal election as we'll as an
other. The Territorial Legislature doubtless
convened on the 7th inst, and, while it remains
In session, its members are entitled to be secure
and free in their deliberations. It's rightful ac-
ton must also be respected. Should it author
ize an election by the people for any purpose,
this election should be held without Interrupt
ton, no less than those authorized by the Con
yention.s While the peace of the Territory is
preserved, and the freedom of election is secur-
ed, there need be no fear of disastrous eonse-
quences.
The public journals contain reports of an in
tended movement by portion Of the residents
of Kansas, to organize Revolutionary Govern
ment, under the Topeka Constitution. It is
hardly possible this report can be well founded,
but, should the attempt be made, and lead to a
practical collision with the Territorial authori-
ties, the authority of the Government must ne
cessarily be maintained, and, from whatever
quarter it is attempted to interfere by violence,
with the election authorized by the constitution
al convention, or which may be authorized by
the Legislature, the attempt must be resisted,
and the security of the election be maintained
The peaceable progress of these elections can
obviously occasion no injury to any citizen of
lany party, because their results can have only
their due weight under the constitution and laws
1T IS to be expected, therefore, that no good ci
tizen will endeavor to interfere with them, but
that all the people will be contented to see the
work of the Convention peacefully carried out
to its legitimate results, and fairly presented to
the consideration Of Congress.
The President relies upon your frmness and
discretion to give effect to these Instructions
It is vitality important that the people of Kan
ksas should have the full determination of the
question now before them for decision It is
important also, that, in securing to them the
protection to which they are entitled, great care
should be taken not to organize any Illegal au-
thority. On this point, again refer you to my
instructions to Governor Walker and Secretary
Stanton, which you will regard as directed to
yourself. It Is proper 10 ADD that no action of
the Territorial Legislature about to meet, can
interfere with the elections of the 21st of De-
cember, and the 26th of January, in the mode
and manner prescribed by the Constitutional
Convention. am, sir, respectfully your ODE
dent servant, LEWIS CAss.