Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-29
DEPARTMENT oP STATE.
WashinytOp. December 1857.

ments on Kansas afairs-among them inc iolloH
Ing
DEPARTMENT oP STATE.
Washington, December IL, 1857.
JAMES w. DENVER, Esq,
Secretary and Acting Gov. of Kansas Territory.
SlR:-You have aready been ini"rmed that Mr.
Stanton has been removed from the office Of Secretary
of the Territory Of Kansas and that you have been
appointed in his place. desire now 10 state to you
distinctly the of thi- change. The Convention
which met Ell L-conp.on on The lst OF September had
framed constitution and had authorized lis President
eubmit the question to the people of Kansas on the
2ls ui December, whether this constitution should be
adopted with ~ without slavery. The Importance OF
the s.ue could not we'll be over estimated. II IN
VOWED the comp'. and authoritative settlement of the
only subject ufderencs which had seriously agitated
Kansas or iner.cred viii; lis prosperity. The quail
fed ELECTORS, therefore, 10 whom The settlement WAS
terred, not only had unquesonabe right TO attend
al the polls and give their votes the day
appointed, but they We're required TO Go SO BY
the highest considerations O public duty. In
the exercise of th. right moreover, they were emil
tied 10 adequate protection by the Territorial Govern
meut, aud the Acting Governor was bound To employ
all ega! means At his command 10 give security and
fairness Ia the election. With the conflicting opin
which prevailed in the Territory on the question
submitted, he had II" right TO Interfere. they hah
their appropriate lssue at The ballot eoa ana 10 lat
peaceful arbitram-Dt they might safely be referred
The great Objects be accomplished III the opinion
If the President. we're 10 preserve the peace OF the
Territory and freedom in the election. Euler
tanning these views he was surprised TO learn mat the
Secretary and Acting Governor had on the first OF
December, i.su-d his proclamation for a special SEES
sion of the Territorial Legislature on the TN Instant
MY few weeks in advance of it's regular time OF
meeting and only II days before decision was TO be
made Oh the question submitted ny the Convention.
The course Of NJ. Stanton, the President seriously
believes. has thrown new element of dscord among
the excited people of kansss aud is directly al war,
therefore, with the peaceful policy OF the Admnstra'
tion For this reason he has fell Il bis duty 10 re-
move him.
From there Views you will readily understand Shat
the President regards as the chief duty which de.
wolves upon you, M Mr. SIanton's successor. lhe
duty Is to preserve peac" IN Kansas. Every person
entitled to vote on the Constitution ought to have
safe access to the polls and 10 be frse from any re-
sirsinls Whatever ia tie exercise Of the elective fran
chise.
If the civil power i. fnun6 insufficient for this pur.
pose the roaps Of the United States should be en-
puyed did of il. and il may be wise precaution
10 have them stationed, in advance withiH reach al
:hns- places where in your Judgment their services
ARE likely to b. required. Ii s earnestly hoped that
rhe u.s. nf the military power may be wholly avoid
I'd. Violence a always lrss likely to occur when Inc
rneans are known To ba at hand for its prompt sup
preston. Should tie military force become abso
utely reces-ary 10 keep the peace, you will tnd tuIi
instructions with reference TO the proper mode OF em
poying il. in my communications to Gov. walker Oh
March l8'h, July 25.b, and September I'd, 1897, ana
IN thoee suh-eq reny written 10 MIR. Stanton; VI
thes. last that of November 30ih was taken to han
~ by yon, and you had a copy OF it, All OF them
will doubtless be found in the archives OF The GOV
-rnor a, L-conpton. They refer prominently to the
preservation Of ;h- peace at Certain important eiec
tions-hu; need hardly inform you that your duty
is not intended 10 be confined 10 those special occa.
-ions. II extends of course, to the protection OF ali
cizeDs in ,hs exercise OF their Just righie, and 8p
plies to one legal -I-crinu az well as to another The
Territorial Legislature doubtless cow ened on the TIN
instant and while il remains In session its members
are entitled to be secure and free in Their delibera-
tions Its rightfu action must also be respected
Should it authorize an election by the people for any
purpose, this election shoud be held without inter
rupfiou, no ess than those authorized by the Con-
veniion While the peace ri the Territory is pre-
served, and freedom Of election is secured. there
r"..d bs n" disastrous Consequences.
Tha public iournsia contain reports Of an intended
ovenent bya PARTON rf The residents OF Kansas TO
organize revolutionary government under the 10.
pekn Constitution II hardly probable thIs report
bs well ioGnGsd but should The attempt be made
and lead 10 praccai collision With the Territorial
authorities, the narhory the government must ne
c4sssry DE maintained aud from whatever quarter
il s attempted To Interfere by violence with the cleo
ton authorized by The Constitutional Convention, or
which may be authorized by the Legislature, the at
temp, must bs resisted and the security of the cleo.
lions maintained.
The peaceful progress Of these elections obvi.
ousy occasion no ii iry to any citizen, or any party
brcausa their results have only their due weight
under The Constitution and laws. II Is 10 be expect.
ed therefore that good citizen will endeavor to in
te.fere with them bur that all the people will be con
tented to ace the work of the Convention peacefully
carried out to It's legitimate results.
The President relies upon your irnness and discre
ton 10 give effect 10 these instruciions l. IL Vtaly
important that IN. people Of kanras, and none other
than The people Of Kansas, should have The ful deter.
minaon of the question before them for decsion
IL is important Also that in securing to Them the pro-
lection 10 which they entitled, great care shond
be taken not to organize any illegal authority On
this point, | again refer you TO my instructions 10
Governor Walker and Secretary Stanton, which you
will regard az directed to yourself.
1t il proper TO add thai action OF tbs Territorial
Legislature about TO meet interfere With the cleo.
tons Of the Plat Of December and goth OF January
in the mode and manner prescribed by the Constitu
tional Convention. am, cir respectfully.
Your obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS.
These documents contain Secretary Casss letter TO
Governor Walk r, ne follows
SECRETARY CASS RELY TO GOV. WALKER
DEPARTMENT OF SrArE,i
WAsHiNGroS. D-cember Is. 1851.
Sir-0n "Wednesday last received your coinmun
cation at the 10 inst fendering your resignation as
Governor of h.nsas This resignation is acco npa.
MED BY long Argument Ga the affairs Of that Terri.
tory generally. 10 which yoG we'll aware, IL would
he improper for the department 10 reply. II every
officer o; the Government who feels himself con-
strained refuse obedience 10 the instr pctions Of the
President hould pursue this unusual course. and thus
place on the files "f t.!n appropriate department
criticism an in. policy OF Inc Administration, no per.
aon knows better than yourself To Whist consequences
this might lead The department must either cause
charges and arguments against the President 10 be
fled among th. pablo archives OF the country with
out conrncic u reply. il must spend thu time
which ouGh; 10 be devoted To the public service. in
controversies with subordinate ofhcerc who may dis
approve the Presiden's policy. Whist DUTY, there