The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-07-22
GOV. WALKER, KANSAS, THE AID
MINISTRATION, &c, &c.

lhc aspect which the affairs of Kansas
! have lately assumed, affords fruitful theme
for political gossip and newspaper criti-
cism, and many of our exchanges are filled
with anathcmas against Gov. Walker, Presi-
dent Buchanan ami his Administration, the
Democratic party, and, they have made it
an occasion to denounce afrcsh the party III
| this State that affiliated with the Demo-
Gratis at the Cincinnati Convention. We
will consider each of these points separate
y and briefly
There is no question but that Gov. Wal.
ker has acted treacherously towards the
South, that his influence has been leant to-
wards the making of Kansas free Safe,
md TO effect this purpose, he has prcsump-
tuously intcrfcred in matters not pertaining
to the functions Of his office. We agree
with the resolutions lately adopted by the
State Conventions of Georgia and Mssis.
siPp, to the effect that Gov. Walker in OBJ.
trnding his official advice upon the people
in regard to the mode in which they should
adopt their Constitution, and in EXPRESSING
his opinion MS to the unftness of Kansas for
slavery, violated the principle of non.inter-
Nen;ion cherished by the Democratic party,
whole South and Of the Democrats both
North and South. His late acts are by no
means in character with his nntecedents.-
His orthodoxy upon the subject Of slavery
| had al - f.,n,
sustained this character during his term
of service in the United States Senate
lie took m active part in ellectiGg the an.
nexation OF Texas, and other instances had
served TO establish his reputation as Il con-
ser"aiive Democrat, and sound upon the
question of slavery. With such antpco.
dents, the Administration was certainly JUS.
titied in appointing him to the pos which
he now occupies.
The next point is, has the Administra-
ton done its duty, since Walkers la:e char.
actcr has been developed. II the admins.
tration approves Of the underhanded way
in which Walker has exercised his nllu.
ence for free Kansas evidencing his parti-
a!ity in various ways when the dignity of
his office, if nothing else, should have con.
strained him to put on n semblance of neu.
traIity if he felt it not, then it unquestiona.
! bly, deserves from the South the same denun-
cations that are hcapcd upon Walker We
! do not believe that the Administration sus
tains him in this character, and have seen
nothing that would Justify q contrary opin.
ion. In regard to the min issne, however,
that Of submitting the Constitution to
| the people-there exists but little doubt
that The Administration endorses Walkers
position. And here we think it is wrong.
Sufficient elections had already been had
TO ascertain the yoiea OF the people as TO
slavery or no slavery, nnG it was generally
supposed that this issue was decided, with
the people at least, at the election for dee.
| gates. Walker no doubt believes that the
tables will be turned by another resort to
the ballot box. as il is said that many free
soilers refused to vote at the last election,
and hoDoO,ho determines if possible to throw
The issue again upon the people. We do not
consider that the Administration in endors-
| ing Walkers position--so far as regards the
matter of submitting the Constitution to the
| people, 10 be by them ratified or rejected--
is guilty of any very gross infringe.
ment Of the rights of the South---it is not
unconstitutional, nor anti.republisan as we
take it, but shows an evident leaning in q
direction antagonistio to the intesests Of the
South, and which the latter had no reason
to expect from the man who has been mainly
through her elevated to his present high
position. We therefore agree that the
President has in this Instapce shown himself
adverse to the interest of the South, but
whether this ,aust be considered a type Of
what his subsequent course will be, remains
10 be seen, We are willing 10 await far-