The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-29

that vicinity and especially those Of the handsome ada
cent village of New Santa fe in Missouri sepated only
by street. and containing about twenty houses that
altogether not than onetenth the number OF per-
represented to have voted present ON the two
days Of the election much the smaller number not ex-
ceedng thirty on forty being present ON the last day
when than fifteen hundred votes represented as
having been given, The people Of Oxford, as well AZ
those OF the neighborng village of Santa Fe were AS
founded at the magnitude OF the returns and all per
sons Of all parties in both places treated the whole affair
with derision or Indignation, not having heard the al
legged result until several days after II had occurred
In the course of our journey to and from Oxford we
passed much the larger part of the county OF John
son, and became thoroughly satisfied that there is
population In the whole county from which than
onerd the vote of that single precinct could have been
given. We learned that very few persons, having
cabins on the in johnson county and claiming
residence therein, though generally absent had voted
at of the precincts in that county but con-
WINGED that very uncomfortable number not reaching
believe hundred of MSsourians other persons
having no admitted right to vote did claim attempt
TO exercise that right anywhere within that county The
people of Missouri cannot be justly charged with any in
reference in the late election they in any degree
complicated with the evidently fraudulent returns made
from the precinct of Oxford Those returns beyond all
doubt, simulated and fictitious.
Under these circumstances do not feel embarrassed
by any technical difficulty to right to 80 behind
the returns We hold the returns themselves to be de-
ectye in form and in substance and therefore nadmis-
sble We go behind them and inquire into the facts,
only for the purpose OF ascertaning whether by these
valid objections to the mere returns our rejection OF
them will have the effect of defeating the will of the peo
pie sought to be fairly expressed at the polls In the
event of such consequences might hesitate to reject
vote upou any defect of form, however essential in law
But in the present case feel ourselves bound to all
here to the very letter of the law In order to defeat
gross and palpabe fraud. The consideration that
party by this decision will lose the majority in the
legislative assembly, does not make duty in the
premises less solemn and imperative The elective fran
chise would be utterly vaueess, and free government
itself would receive deadly blow il great outrage
this could be shielded under the of mere forms
and technicalities We cannot consent in any manner
to give the sanction Of respective official positions to
such transaction. Nor we feel justified to relieve
ourselves OF the proper responsibility Of offices in
where there is valid return, by submitting the
question to the legislative assembly and in that very
giving the parties that might claim to be chosen by this
spurious vote the power to decide upon their cleo
ton .....
In view OF the condition of affairs in Kansas for sew
erl years past OF the efforts so long made to put in ope
ration here revolutionary government and of the fact
that this effort suspended under the belief that the
political difficulties of this Territory might Mt length be
fairly adjusted at the polls that adjustment should
be defeated and the people deprived of their ghtful
power under the laws of Congress- by fictitious returns
of votes given it is solemn conviction that the
pacicaton of Kansas through the exercise Of the cleo
tive franchise, would become impracticabe and that civil
would Immediately be recommended in this Terri
tory extending, fear to adjacent States and subject
ing the government of the Union to imminent peril
Because therefore, the paper now under examination is
not of the original pollbooks by law required to be
returned and from the absence Of the oath prescribed by
the territorial statutes for the judges election
being thus clearly invalid, and, believe, fictitious
and simulated have under the circumstances, al
tentative but to reject the whole return from the Oxford
precinct and to give the certificates to those who appear
to have been elected by virtue of the other regular
turns. r. ], WALKER
Governor of Kansas Territory.
FRED. p STAUNTON, Secretary.