Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-09-17
NUMBER m F',]E XXXEET[]f..s. Il !. :.

the other from its enjoyment, by pre-
hibiting them from taking iRtorit what
sosver is recognized to be property by
the common Constitution. But when
the people-the 6ona.tide residents of
such Territory proceed to frame
State constitution, then it is their right
to decide the important question for
themselves, whether they will continue,
modify or abolish slavery. To them,
and to them alone does this question be-
long, free fiom all foreign interference.
In the opinion of the Territorial
Legislature Of Kansas, the time had ar
rived for entering the Union, and they
accordingly passed a law to elect dele
gates for the purpose Of framing -State
constitution. This law was fair and Just
in its provisions. It conferred the
right Of suffrage on "evcry bona tide in
habitant of the Territory" and for the
purpose ofpreventing fraud and intrus-
ion of citizens of near or distant States.
most properly confined this right to
those who had resided therein three
months previous to the election. Here
fair opportunity was presented for all
the qualified resident citizens ofthe Ter
ritory, to whatever organization they
might have previously belonged, to par
ticipate in the election, and to express
their opinions at. the ballot-box on the
question of slavery. ..-" 49, -
But numbers of lawless men still con-
tinued to resist the regular Territorial
government They refused either to be
registered or to vote; and the members
of the Convention were elected, legally
and properly, without their intervention.
The Convention was soon assembled to
perform the solemn duty of framing a
constitutions for themselves and their posi-
terity, and in the state ofincipient rebel,
lion which still exists in Kansas, it is
my imperative duty to employ the troops
of the United States, shosld this become
necessary, in defending the Convention
against violence while Trainings a consti-
tuition and in protecting the bona. tfde
inhabitants qualified to vote under tho
provisions of this instrument. In free
texercise of the right of suffrage, when IS
shall be submitted to them for their ap-
probation or rejection. f-'
have entire confidence in Governor
Walker that the troops will not be en-
ployed ex ;ept to resist actual aggres<S53
sion, or in the execution of the laws, and
this, not until the power of the civil
magistrate shall prove unavailing. Fol-
lowing the wise example of MIR. Madi<,
son toward the Hartford Convention, IL
/ legal and dangerous combinations,s such
as that of the Tobeka Convention, will
not be disturbed, unless they shall at
tempt to perform some act which wiz
bring them into actual collision
with the Constitution and laws. In
that event they shall be resisted and
put down by the whole power: of the
Government. In performing this duty,
1 shall have the appreciation of my OWN
conscience and, as L humbly trust, Of
my God. ~
L thank you for the assurance that
s'you will not refrain from the prayer
that the Almighty God will make my
administration, an example of justice
and benefcence."
You can greately assist me in arrfv-@
ing at this blessed consumation by ex44
erting' your influence in aIlaying the. .ex-s
isting sectional excitement on the sub
ject of slavery, which has been produc-,
tive of much evil and no good; and
which, if it succeed in attaining its OBJ
iect would ruin the slave as we'll as the
master. This would be genuine philan-
throphy. Every day of my life feel
how inadequate I am to perform the du~
ties of my high station, without contin
uing it in the support of Divine Proyi-
dence; yet placing my trust in Him, and
Him alone, I entertain good hope that
He Will cnamble me to do equal justice
to all portions of the Union, thus rem
dering me an humble instrument in res
toring peace and harmony among the
/ people of the several States. Yours.
very respectfully, .-----.-.-.--
JAMES BUCHANAN. r.
Rev. Nanthaniol w. Taylor, d. D.,
= Rev. Theodore D, Woolsey, D. d.
L L. D., Hon. Henry Dutton, Rev,
David Smith, D. D., Rev. j. Halves,
ID. D., and others.
A Peg Too HIGH.-A facerious gen.