davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
OF Hon. Fe. j. Walker,

F., WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MARCH26.
Wy Dear Sol have, at your request,
re~considcred my determination, as an
nounced to you, declining your tender
of the Office of Governor of the Territory
of Kansas. In view of the opinion now
presented by you; that the safety of the
Union may depend upon the election of
the individual to whom shall be assign
ed the task of scttleing the difficulties
which again surround the Kansas qucs-
ton, I have concluded that a solemn
sense of duty to my country requires Inc
to accept this position. l am brought
to this conclusion with an unaffected
diffidence in my own ability, but with
f~ervent hope that the same overruling
Providence which has carried my be-
loved country through so many pcrils
will now attend and direct my humble
efforts for her welfare, and that my course
will not be prejudged by any portion of
my fellow-citizens, in or without Of Kan
Sas.
I understand that you, and all your
Cabinet, cordially concur in the opinion
expressed by me, that the actual bona fde
residents ofthe Territory of Kansas, by
a fair and reSulat oteJunafected by
fraud or violence, must be permitted, in
adopting their State constitution, to de
eide for themselves what shall be their
social institution. This is the great fun
damental principle of the act of Congress
organizing that Territory, affirmed by the
Supreme Court of the United States, and
is in accordance with the views uniformly
expressed by me through my public
career. 1 contemplate a peaceful settle
mcnt of this question BY an appeal to
the intelligence and patriotism of the
whole people Of Kansas, who should all
participate, freely and fully, in this deci-
sion, and by a majority Of whose votes
the determination must be made, as the
only proper AMI constitutional mode Of
adjustment.
I contemplate no appeal to military
power, in the hope that my countrymcn
of Kansas, from every section, will sub
init to a decision of this matter by a full
and fair vote of 4 majority of the peo-
pie of that Territory. If this decision
cannot thus be made, [ sec nothing in
the future for Kansas but civil war, cx-
tendcng its baleful influence through
out the country, and subjccting the
Union itself to imminent hazard.
L will go, then, and endcavor thus to
adjust these difficulties, in the full con-
fdcncc so strongly expressed by you,
that 1 will be sustained by all your
own high, authority, with the cordial CO.
operation of all your Cabinet.
As it be impossible for me to leave for
Kansas before the scond Monday Of May
next, 1 would desire my appointment to
take effect from that date.
Very respectfully, your friend,
r.. J. WALKER.
JAMES BUCHANAN, President of the
United States.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
AMENDMENT NO. ;.

Reso3rcd By he Gc"eroL assembly Of
the State Of Ohio, Three-ffths of the
members elected to each branch, con-
curing therein, that it be and hereby
is. proposed to the electors of the State,
to vote on the second Tuesday of Octo-
Der next, to approve or reject the f"l-
lowing amendment as a substitute for
the second and third sections of the
twelfth article of the Constitution:
All property, personal and real, shall
be subject to taxation by anniform rule,
at the true value thereof in money, but
such deductions from credits may be al
lowed as the General Assembly may
deem cHredicnti Provided, that buryirS
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09

Do n.H .rH@N
Z Llba-We cannot but feel proud OF the
gradual but pernancnt, increasc. of the
subscription list of the "Dsqocrdt," and
take this occasion to tender our. warm
est thanks to- friends in different parts
., of the County who have exerted them
II selves i~nspreeuring additions to our sub
lscriPtion list; but our list is not by hun
dreds as large as it should be to fully
& Justify the publication of such a paper
as the "nemocrat." We feel confident
that there are hundreds of men, Demo.
Gratis, in our county, who do not receive
the paper who could be induced to if
. properly prevailed upona We feel con-
j fdentithot by a systematic effort in each
o township, by one or two of the leading
Democrats, at least FIVE hundred sub
scribers could be obtained. VIII some
y Democrat in, each township make this
pFort then ?is 3Yo u' know that We have
done our duty towards you, viii you
not then do your duty towards US? You
can enlarge our list very materially.
Then, we ask of you, if you have the in
teEest of your party at heart, go to work
and sustain a paper which is devoted tc
that object. -. E ..-
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
The Land Omees.

There are fourteen land Offices in the
Western States and Territories, in each
of which some three or four Offices with
moderate. salaries may be filled by the
present administration. Some thirty
five or forty appointments may be made
for those places. The salaries are not
large, and one would suppose the calen-
dar would not be crowded. Yet, it is
said, there are nearly two thousand ap-
p~licants for positions as registers, reeor-
dcrs, receivers, and so forth, in thcm.-
Relatives. of Senators, Representatives,
Governors, and all sorts of influential
men, are after them eagerly and clamor-
ously. The Pitsburg Post asks why is
this? Simply because those posts, worth
little in themselves, SO far as the sala-
ries are concerned, will enable spccula-
tors to ego west at the public expense,
and Sccupy the very best positions for
making profitable Investments in public
lands. They are points from which the
best 'ehanees' a be discovered and
secured. They give position in a new
territory, and a good starting poi mt for
success in speeulations.
Yet, strange to say, it is well under
stood that the policy of the administra-
ton will be to make at least half of the
thirty or forty appointments from the
resident population in the vicinity of
Offices. Judge, then, of the number of
dis-appointments.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
The Congressional Contest.

In answer to the inquiries that are
frequently made of us, in regard to the
contest, We have few words to say:
The testimony hasbeen taken in Butler
and Montgomery counties, upon the part
of Mr. VALLANDIGHAM; and in Mont
gomery county, upon the part of Mr.
CAMPBELL. Mr.. Campbell has been for
some time under the impression that the
contest was to be child's play. We sup
pose that he does not now labor under
any such delusion.
As we understand the position of mat
tiers (and our information is from reliable
sources) Mr.. Vallandigham now leads
Mr.. Campbell to the amount of fifteen
to twenty-five votes. Among the illegal
votes proven in Butler, were sixteen
black, yellow and mixed Egemmenof col
lor. g. ~, ...1-
By the Statute regulating the taking
of. testimony in contested elections, only
SIXTY days after the service of the answer
are allowed to either party to procure
evidence. The sixty days have expired.
And the law is that .":no testimony shall
be taken after the expiration of sixty
days from the day on which the answer
of the returned member shall be served
upon the contestant. -..rt i..
The matter then stands closed arp, and
Mr.. Vallandigham undoubtedly ahead.
Mr.. Campbell, We hear, proposes con
tinuingthe taking of. dispositions during
the summer. He may suit himself
He must come down on his knees before
a Democratic Congress, begging an ex-
tension of time, or the admission Of lille
gal and irregular testimony, to save him
self from being ousted at the next sess-
ion. He has no ground for favor. And
We shall be much surprised ifthe laws is
in any way stretched for his benefit.
Dayton Empire.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
AMENDMENT no. 2.

+.rHH- -.
R,solrcol By the GryaeruI assembly Of
the State IF Ohio, Three-ffths of the
members elected to each House concur
ring therein, that it be. and hereby is,
proposed to the electors of this State to
vote ON the second Tuesday of October
next, upon the approval OF rejection of
the following amendment, as a lsubsti-
tute for the fifth and sixth sections Of
the fourth article of the Constitutions,
viz: SEC. 5. District Courts shall be
held in each county at least once in each
year, by one or more District Judges
elected by the electors of separate dis
tricts to be prescribed by law, who shall
hold their office fol- five years; and du-
ring their continuance in office shall re-
side in the district for which they are
elected. The provisions of the four
tenth section Of this article shall apply
to District ] Judges. The General Assem-
bly, may by law authorize the Judges of
the District Court, and of the courts of
common pleas, to fix the times of hold
ing their respective courts until District
Judges shall have been elected and quail
flied. District Courts shall be held by
the Ju lges of the Supreme Court and
the Courts of Common Pleas, as now
authorized. SEC. 6. The District Court
shall have such jurisdiction as may be
provided by law, and the Judges thereof
shall have and exercise such pawer aud
Jurisdiction at chambers, and may be re-
quircd to sit as judges of the Courts of
Common Pleas as shall be directed by
law.
y. II. VAN WORRIES,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
THOMAS ii. FORD,
Prcsidcnto of the Senate.
April Sd, 1857.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
in Office.

Rotation in Office seems to have be-
come a settled principle ofPolicy in the
Democratic party. til IS asrule we act
on in the selection of National and State
officers, says the Pittsburg Union, and
if it is good with reference to them, We
SEQ no reason why its application to
their appointees should affect its sound
ness. 1t is a,rule against which no Of
fee holder has a right to complain. For
he holds the Office by suffrage and not
by right. Places of profit and trust, in
this country, are the birthright of no
class, they belong to none, but are open
to the ambition of all Those who at
tain them should remember that it was
through the Partially of theapcople or
the people'ss servants, and that. they were
promotedaas A. reward for past fidelity
and a manifestation Of public confidence.
They should not be deludcd into the be-
lief that they have been made perpetual
pensioners on government bounty
There are many other honest and deser-
wing citizens who look for a like recog-
milton and remuneration of their devo-
ton and labors. And unless the rule
of rotation we're .observedt there would be
but one set in a life time permitted to
wear the robes of official dignity. .rl 3.
President Buchanan has declared his
determination to adhere to this practice
in the distribution of his patronage
We have yet to hear the first Democrat
complain of the rule. 1t seems to be
understood and readily aequiesced in.
And by the wayhit is but carrying out
the spirit of most of our constitutions
which limit the length of time, which
certain Offices may, be held by any one
person, The policy is beneficial in many
respects. 1t is a-cheek upon the "Ins,"
preventing them from growing careless
by undisturbed possession, and financial
security; it is an incentive to the "Outs,"
&C induce continued faithfulness and IN
excrtion. It prevents the pride
attaches to dignities long possess
ed, and looked upon as the rightful pro
perry Of the holders. We arc glad to
see those now filling the offices, so cheer
admit the propriety of rotation.
But even the observance of this rule
will cause disappointment to many; for
all applications cannot be favorably con
But all should remember that
if they do not receive commissions they
arc deprived of nothing which they had
a right to, and that their successful ri
walls may have had stronger claims of
which they are ignorant. Of curse it
Is-eSPeeted that Mr-Buchanan will re-
member and reward those who have
been his firm and consistent friends,
n preference to other equally true Dem
This would be but carrying out
shc aturalprompting s of grateful heart.
And if would be a cause that would be
approved by all who love to see strong
remembered and steadfast
sttachmenthonored. We have no doubt
Nr. Buchanan's appointments will give
general satisfaction.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Chew this u

Although the Democrat party has been
styled 'Pro-Slavcry," andit its administra-
ton has been denounced as "tool of the
slave power" not one foot uffree soil has
bcen given to the institution by the Dem
ocratic party during the term of power
closing with the administration Of Mr..
Pierce, but thousands ofmilcs have been
saved to Freedom by its direct interven-
ton. Shrickcrs and schrccchers, rumin-
ate on the fact.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Spain and Mexico.

We find the following in the Wash
ington correspondence of the New York
TriEmne, which says:
Notwithstanding all the bellicose pro-
CARNATIONS which arc issued through the
Ministerial press at Madrid, it is not be-
licvcd in diplomatic circles here that
there will be any actual war between
Spain and Mexico. The whole affair
will turn out, in the end, a mere rasc &c
gucrrc. Many motives may be imagined
for a Spanish Ministry being ~anxiousto
divert the attention Of the people from
any critical investigation of their own
internal concerns; and for raising a cry
that may serve to rouse the national
spirit, and thus compose distractions
which threaten their official stability and
power. \ convenient M has been
found in the murder of certain Spanish
subjects by MeXicans, alleged to be un-
der the command of Alvarez. Now. so
far as the cause of this demonstration is
concerned, it is asserted oil the Mexican
side that no soldiers Of Alvarez were I'M
plicatcd, and he denies it cmphatically.
But the Mexican Government has had
the matter investigated, and three of the
offenders have been convicted and shot.
IF this vengeance should not satisfy the
v~irtuous Isabella, why it will only be
necessary to shoot Il few more, by way
of atonemcnt, and then exchange civil
tics-both nations being the gamers by
getting rid Of a dozen or two of rapscal-
lions. From this standpoint. where
there is a shrcwd and observing Spanish
Minister, who enjoys the confidence Of
Pidal. the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
things are seen in a different light from
the coloring at Madrid, aud the Minis
try know before thistimc tla,t if the loss
of Cuba be desired the first step to that
end is war with Mexico. On the other
hand. Mexico knows that if Lower Cal
ifornia, Sonora and other provinces are
to lie wrcnched from her, that a war
with Spain would be seized upon as the
most fitting OCCASION. In this view 1t is
the interest Of both to keep the peace;
while, in fact, they are like DULLES, APP
parcntly striving to get at each other,
but all the while asking to be held.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Dark SaspiciOns.


The dark suspicions-whieh the late
extraordinary sickness in Wellington
seems to afford some grounds for-that
the food at the National Hotel was de-
liberately poisoned by some miscreant,
for the purpose of taking the life of Mr..
Buchanan for a political object, afford a
theme for the most lamentabie, refec-
ton. Can it be possible that American
politics have become so corrupt and de-
based, and factions SO vicious and ma
lignant, that the idea could be cherish
ed, even by the most degraded of its
members. of removing the head of the
Government by death from the scenes
of his labors, and thus accomplishing a
civilrevolution-Ia monarehical coun-
tries the thing has tecn often accom-
plishcd with this view, but the idea new
or has had a practical Judgement in the
minds of any of our people, andwe can
not and will not believe it now. We are
willing to adopt any other hypothesis
for the Washington mystery than that
it was intended to compass the death of
the elective head of the American peo-
pie. 1t surely can have no reliable
foundation.-(f Gin. Erq.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09

PASSING AwAY.-During the past
year, thirty Revolutionary Patriots have
passed from earth. OF this number
four have died in Massachusetts,; four
in Main; one in Connecticut and one in
New Hampshire. The number of Rev
dictionary soldiers on the pension rolls
on the LIST ofJuly, 1856, was Sill. A
few years more will sweep away the re
mainler Of those gallant patriots.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
sadhcn Death.

, Mr. J4coB shIDELER, in the fist year
of, his age, who resided with his Son,
-four miles south of Eaton, died very
-suddealyio n Friday last, He came to
town in the morning, IN his 'ustual health
and spirits, to transact a little business,
and while. returning home expired on
the road in isLbhggy. 1t is supposed
his death was from aApoplexy. F'
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Foreign appointments.

The Washington correspondent of the
New York Nesrs writes: .
The policy of Mr.. Buchanan in dis
posing of his foreign appointments will
be to make as fair a distribution of them
among the States as possible. New
Hampshire, Vermont, Delaware, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Cali
fornia, are the States who have no rep
resentativcs in missions abroad now
Massachusetts, has two Ministers Resi-
dent and one Envoy Extraordinary
abroad, rather too many for SO fallen a
State. Pennsylvania has two full mis-
sions. Virginia has one full mission
and two ministers Resident; New York
has two Ministers Resident; Tennessee
one full mission and one Minister Resi-
dent. Georgia has one Minister Resi-
dent and one Consul General. Con-
nccticut, Ioway, New Jersey, Alabama
and Ohio each have a full mission
Rhode Island, Michigan, Indiana, Ma
ryland, Missouri, Wisconsin, Florida
and Maine, each have a Minister Resi-
dent. Illinois has a Commissioned
Nicaragua and Belgium are the only two
courts at present vacant.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Corporat1on Tickct.

The following gentlemen were elected
. as Corporation Offers, on Monday last /:
Msyor-G. W. GansraE :-.tt,s@
rECouneilI. /. L. johnson, r. G.. d.
McKemy, John Grouse, j. P. Brookins.
.yg Mhrshal-J. +. Homer
E0Recordcr-G. H. Edison. 1ii
;afiSuperyisor-A.fW. Tracy r., t--
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Judge fancy and his Opinion

The Washington correspondent of
the EccniiUg Post relates a funny report
about the answer of Chief Justice Ia
ney to the application of the National
Latel1tgencer for a copy of his opinion in
the bred Scott case. tits said that the
Chief Justice, in order apparently to ad-
minister a slap at the conduct of his as
sociates, Curtis and Mclean, in pulish-
ing their opinions in advance of filing
them, replied somewhat as follows:
Chief Justice fancy returns his COM
pliments to the editors Of the Nutiondl
I-nteAigencer, and, in reply to their re-
quest, begs to inform them that he doesn't
prepare opinions for the use of Juvenile
debating societies or of political news
papers. lie would add, that when his
opinion is fled it will be published by
the Reporter of the Supreme Court, who
alone has the right Of publishing its de-
cisions.
Bez-The Legislature of Rhode Islands
has refused to repeal the act abolishing
capital punishment, which has been in
operation seven years in that State
The House, by the vote of So to 20, re-
solved that "cvery person who shall com
nit murder, shall be imprisoned for life"
and by a vote of .49 to 10, refused to
declare that murder committed by a con-
Wet in the State prison shall be punish
cd with death.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Not to Vote.

As we expected, the Free State men
of Kansas have resolved not to vote at
the coming %eletiou! Of delegates to the
Convention toframe a State Constitution
They held a convention at Topeka on
10th andz11th of last mouth, and such
is the import of one of the resolutions
adopted. Of course, then, it will be en-
tirely a pro-slavey convention and the
character of the constitution to b eform-
ed is no longer doubtful. The Free
State men may yethave ~onechance more
to make fools of themselves. When the
constitutional presentedto Congress and
admission demanded as a State, it may
be referred back to a vote of the people,
as it should have been under the terito-
rial act itself. Ifin that eventthe Free
State men again refuses to vote, their
Will of, course no longer be a doubt as to
::whose fault" it is. that Kansas becomes
a slave State. But the late Topeka con
~vcntion was certainly a curiosity in its
way. They resolve that they viii in
lexibly s'abide by the principles IF squat
ter soreretyutya enumerated IN Tic KaHsas-
Nebraska Gtzu' mn ,, ,aa
q There, then, al ethe Free State men of
Kansas endorsing,approving, and resolv-
ing to sustain h eprinciple of the Kansas
Nebraska Bill! And yet they refuse to
vote, which is the only way they can be
sustained and carried out. If that is
not incongruiiiity and an idiotic absurdity
we know not what is.
1t is evidently the result of a strug-
slc1in their minds between the prompt
inss of their ownjudsment and interests
on the one side, and the commands of
the Northern Abolitionists on the ether.
1t, is like the jackass between two
stacks of hay who wanted to eat them
both at once, and before he could make
up his mind which to seize first he starved
to death.-Iius. Post.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09
Township Ticket.

, The following are the Township OF
fcers: ra 95
TrusteesAPerry Rinehart, j. Yost,
Benz -Homan.
Clerk-B. #. Larsh.
Assessor. w. Acton.
CoDnstablcs|. E. Krug, VIM. Fl,
Kline. John Z. Deem. "H
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09

k&y~ During the last two weeks Prcsl-
dent Buchanan has appointed 160 Post
masters. Sc of these were rcaPpoint-
m2gts, and - were new appointments.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09

TIE COMET HAS CoME.-A comet
was seen at the National Observatory,
Washington, on last Friday night, in
the Northwestern part of the sky, o
ing Eastward. 1t is only observable
with a telescope, and is therefore either
a great way off, or is only a little fellow
of no great account, not enough to alarm
the disciples Of DIR. Cumming. who have
been trying to convince themselves and
the world that We are all to be crushed
out of creation with q whisk Of a com
NETS tail.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-04-09

hIIne, JOlQ L. Deeln.
;eJraa-The New York correspondent OF
the National Inteiligeneer says, a com
pany of capitalists, styling themselves
the"American EmigrantA Aid and Home
stead Company" are applicants to our
Legislature for a charter to enable them
TO carry nj important projects which
they have in view. The scheme ofthe
company is to purchase large tracts of
wild lands in the West and SO improve
them as to render them peculiarly at
t~ractivc to, settlers, who will be invited
to purchase in alternate sections on very
favorable terms, the company looking to
the ultimate sale of their reserved sec
lions for a profitable return upon their
investments. An organized system of
emigration is also contemplated as n
of the features of the enterprise.
ne The weather for the last few days
has been as changeable as it well could
be. Since Sunday afternoon we have
been experiencing as cold and disagree
able weather, as W. did in the month Of
December. How tho fruit will bear
this cold snap, VIC arc unable 20 say
at present, but rather think it will use
it up
s5Thcrc never was anything SO ri
diculous as tne- effort to identify the
Democracy of the present day with the
Democracy of Jefferson and Jackson"
exclaims u poor Republican. So itgocs,
the Democracy of the present is never
that of the past. Jaekson's Democracy
was not that of Jefferson according to
this same authority; and in a few years
the Democracy Will not be that of Pierce
or buchanan. VIC can't say as much
of the opposition; it is always pretty
the same-no|i Improvement, rather worse
for ago,