The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-30
Gov. Walkers Manifesto to the People
of Kansas.
WARRINGTON, Nav II.


A few days before GOV. Walkers depar-
ture for Kansas, his introductory manifesto
to the people of that Territory was made
known to the Cabinet, and approved. have
been permitted to look over a copy of this
remarkable document (of some twenty-four
pages Of manuscript and find that its sa-
licnt points are asfolows:
In the outset Mr.. Walker says that he
has consented to become Governor of Kan
sas, Sat the cordial concurrence Of all his
Cabinet" Upon this point tleref re, the
Cabinet is unit. Next, after admitting
the terrible character of the imbroalio on
the niger question, Mr.. Walker proceeds to
the United States. Then coming to Kansas
clap-trap Of the KanSas-NebraSka bill. The
people of Kansas, in the State Constitution
which they are about to frame (pro-slavory)
must, therefore, settle the question for them
selves. The President recognizes the valid
! i.y of the local laws (I,ro-slavcry) providing
| for the June election, &C., and in regard to
the stand aoof policy adopted by the Free
State party, Mr.. Walker, in these exact
words, -''Throughout cur whole Union
however and wherever free government pre-
walls, those who abstain from the exercise
of the right Of suffrage authorize til Sc who
d. vote TO act for them in that contingen ",
and the noIl-voters arc as much bound un
der the law and the constitution, as well as
b. an everything moral necessity, by the act
o. the majority of those who do vote, as
though ali had participated in the election
Thus. if from the stand a'oof policy of the
Free State party in the Kansas June cleo
ton, the result should be pro-s.ayery con-
stitution it will be as binding as if every
man of the non-voters had voted in the cleo
ton of the Convention. Stick pin there.
Mr.. Walker pleads and implores the Free
State par tv to take hand in the June cleo
lion, therefore. hut very much in the win
ming style Of ''the spider to the fly" He
has to enforce the laws; he thinks the pro-
visions for the election very smooth and fair,
and if there should be frauds in the election,
the Convention will be honest. But then
as a last resort if there is wrong, there is
q remedy in Congress. lie next says: Il
canno. doubt that the Convention, after
! having framed State Constitution. will sub
nit it by a solemn oath for ratification or
rejection by majority Of the people Of Kan
sas." He enters into an earnest constitu-
tional argument upon this point, from which
it is evident that the President desires this
course to be pursued.
Mr.. Walker next throws out the follow
ing ideas. Says he: at is true that the
Constitution of State, as has been the
case with many, may be silent on the sub
ject of slavery in which case, in the absence
Of any prohibition of the legislative power
of State granted in one gen raj cOmpre
hcnsive clause, the Legislature of tn State,
elected by the people, might act on the
question of slavery they have done in
States" DC. He thinks that this forthcom
ing Convention will have the perfect right to
adopt this course of nOn-intervention in
their State Constitution. And you may stick
a rin there.
Then follows an appeal fora genaral par
tic patton in the election, &c, touchng up'n
Indian titles, boundaries, hOmcsteads. pre-
emptions, land grants, &c, dependent upon
. the early admission nf Kansas as a State
Then the Governor touches upon Nebraska,
soon to become State, and upon 'the grea!
and futile slavcholding In'iian territory on
the South. soon, hope to become a State
aided and encouraged by the State Of Kan
sas." Stick two oar three pms there.
Next. Mr.. Walker brings all the Pacific
railroads to bear upon Kansas, AMI winds up
bp repeating that he must enforce the laws,
and by appealing to the patriotism Of the
people Of Kansas, iEasmuch as the safety or
the destruction Of the Union is in their
hands. The Union argument is substantial
" the same as that in behalf of Mr.. Bnchan-
an in the late Prtsi ential campaign And
such is the cream of Mr. Walkers introduce
tory Kansas manifesto.