Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-03

WASHINGTON CRY. Aug IS 1857
0ESILENES On my recent return to this city,
after fotnlg at absence, youT memorial with
out date, was placed In my hands, through the
agency Of Mr.. HoEato King of the Post Once
Department, 10 whom il had been intTusted
From the distinguished source whence n nro
ceeds, as well as its peculiar character, have
deemed II proper 10 depart from my general rule
In snch cases. and TO give il an answer
You nrst assertth - the fundamental principle
or the Constitution of the United states and of our
political Institutions is that the people shall make
their own laws and elect their own rulers Won
then express your grief and establishment that I
shoulQ nave violated this primo pie, and through
Gov. Walker, have employed an army " one prr-
pose OF which Is 10 force The people OF Kansas 10
obey !dtrS NOT fhetr otrH of TIE United States,
but laws which IL is notorious and Established
upon evidence, they never made. and rulers ,bsy
never elected" And, as a corolIary from the
foregoing, you represent that am openIv held
up and proclaimed, to the great derogation OF our
national character, as violating in its most essen
tal particular the solemn oath which the Pre.i
dent has taken 10 support the Constitution OF his
CHtOH.D
These are heavy charges proceeding from gen
tlemen Of your high character, and if we'll
founded, ought TO consign my name TO infamy
But In proportion 20 their gravity. common jus-
nce, TO say nothing of Christian charity required
mat before making them YOU should have clearly
aseertained that they were well founded IL not
they will rebound with whitening condemnation
upon Their authors. Have you performed this
preliminary duty towards the man who however
unworthy Is the Chief VI agistrate of your countrv,
n
II so, eIher You or are IabOring under a strange
e.s,,I should this prove 10 be your case, IL
VIII present memorable example of the truth
thar political prejudice is blind even to the exist
ence OF the plainest and most paIpable bis,oTicaI
facts. To these facts let us refer
When entered upon the duties OF the nresi-
Dental once, on the 4th Of March last wb,t wa
the condition OF Kansas This Territorv bsd
been orRanized under the act of Cong ress ~ on
May, 1854 and the government in ALI its branches
was IN fuli operation A Governor, Secretary OF
the Territory, Chief Justicr, two ASSOCIATE IL
tees, Marshal, and District Attorney had been
appointed by my predecessor, by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, and were ali
engaged In discharging their respective dutie,
"A code Of laws had been enacted by the Terrific
nal Legislature; and the Judiciary were employed
IN eapOunding and carrying these laws into effect
10 Is quite true that controversy had previously
arisen respecting the validity Of the election Of
members OF the Territorial Legislature and of the
laws passed by them but at the time l entered
upon my official duties Cong ress had recognised
this Legislature In different forms and bv different
enactm~nts. The delegate elected to The House
OF Representatives under a territorial law had
jnst completed his term OF service on the day pre
y!ous to my Inauguration. In fact, found the