Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-04

q confederation of sovereign States acquire new
Territory ut the expense OF their common blood and
treasure, surely set OF the partners can nave ho
right to exclude the other from It's enjoyment by pro-
hibiiiDg them from taking into 1t whatsoever IS 10
cogniz-d TO be property by the common constitution.
But when the peOplethe BONA Rde residents oi sucn
Photographed 10 frame State CONSTITUTION
then it is their right decide the Important question
| for Themselves, whether they VIII continue moanS'
or abolish slavery. 10 them, and to them alone
does this question belong, free from all ioregh INFER
ference.
In the opinion of the territorial Legislature OF Nan,
sas. the time had arrived for entering the Union anu
they accordingly passed Law 10 elect delegates TOT
the purpose of framing State constitution. Ihs
law WAS fair and just in IFS provisions. IL cohieren
the right Of suffrage on every bona pde nhaohaht
of ihs Territory :" and for the purpose OF prevent
ing fraud and the intrusion of citizens oil near OF us
tRnt States most properly confined this right 10 moss
who had resided therein three months previous TO
the election. Here fair opportunity was presented
for all the qualified resident citizens of the Territory
10 whatever organization they might have previous
~ belonged To participate in the election aud TO ex'
press their opinions at the ballot box the question
of slavery. But numbers Of lswless men sti con.
tinued to resist the regular territorial government
They refused either to be registered or to vote ard
the members of the convention were elected. legally
and properly, without their Intervention. The con-
venton will coon assemble to perform the solemn
duty of framing a constitution for themselves and
their posterity and in the state Of incpient rebel
lion which still exists in Kansas is my imperative
duty to employ the troops OF the United States,
should this become necessary, IN defending the coz
vsntion against violence whilst framing the consti
tution aud in protecting the bona tide inhabitants
qualified 10 vote under the provisions OF this nstru
nent in the free exercise of the right Of suffrage when
it shall be submitted to them for their appreciation or
rejection.
have entire confidence in Gov. Walker that the
troops will not he employed except to resist actual
aggression or in the execution Of the laws and this
not until the power of the civil magistrate shall prove
unavaing. Following the wise example OF MIR:
Madison towards the Hartford Convention Illegal
and dangerous combinations, such rs that OF the To-
peka Convention, will not be disturbed unless they
shall attempt to perform some act which will bring
them into actual collision with the constitution and
the laws. In that event, they shall be resisted and
put down by the whole power of the government.
In performing this duty shall have the appreciation
of my own conscience, and, ss humby trust, of my
God
thank You for the insurance that you will mot
train from the prayer that Almighty God will make
my Administration an example of justice and bene.
fcence" You can greatly assist me in arriving at
this blessed contamination by eIertng your inHu-
eDce in alaying the existing sectional excitement on
the subject OF slavery, which has been productive of
much evil and no good, and which, if it could sue
coed in attaining its object would ruin the slave as
well as his master. This would he work of gen.
uns philanthropy Every day Of my life I feel low
Inadequate | am TO perform the duties of my high
station without the continued support of Divine Pro.
violence; yet, placing my trust in Him, and in Him
| Alone, entertain good hope that He will enable
me TO do equal justice to all portions o: the Union.
and thus render me an humble instrument in resto.
| ring peace and harmony among the people Of the
! several States. Yours, very respectfully.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
! Rev. NATHASIEL w. TAYLOR, ID. D., Rev. THEo.
lore d. WoorsEY, d. D., LIZ D., Hon. Henry
DurTo5, Rev. DAVID SNlTH, d. D., Rev. }.
| HAYES, d. d., and othets.