Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-10-15

fde residents of such territory-nroceed to-
frame a State Constitution, then II Is their
right to decide the important question for
themselves whether they will continue,
modify, or abolish slavery. To them ahd
to them alone, does this question belong,
rse from all foreign interference.
In The op rioD of the Territorial Legis-
iatd-e at Kansas, the time had arrived :or
entering the Union, and they accordingly
passed law to elect delegates for the pur-
pose of framing State Constitution. The
law was fair and just in its provisions. 1t
conferred the right of suffrage on every
bona fde inhabitants of the Territory and
for the purpose of preventing fraud, and, or
the intrusion of citizens OF near distant
States, most properly confined this right to
those who had resided therein three months
previous TO the election. Here fair oppor-
tunty vas presented flr al. the qualified
resident citizens OF the Territory, 20 what
ever organization they u shl have previous
ly HeloDged, 10 participate in the elec ion.
and t. express their opinions at the 5siiDt-
DIX OF The Question "a slavery. But nun
bere OF iawless men still continued to resist
the regular Territorial Government They
refused either 10 be registered or TO vote;
ami the members of the convention were
elected, legally and properly, without their
intervention. The convention will soon as
semble TO perform the solemn duty Of franz
ing a constitution for themselves and their
posterity; and in the state of incipient re-
bellon which slill exists in karsas, it Is
my imperative duty to employ the troops of
the United States should this become neces,
sary. in defer ding the convention against
Aiolence whilst training the constitution
and in protecting The bona tfde inha bitants'
qualified 10 yoto under the provisions Of This
instrument in the free exercise of the right
of suffrage when it shall be submitted to
! them for their appreciation or rejection
have entire confid ence in Gov. w lker
that the troops wi not be employed except
TO resist actual aggression or in the execu-
| ton of the laws; and this not until the
power of the civil magistrate shall prove
unaVaili ig. Following the wise example
| of Mr. Madison towards the Hartford Con-
vention, illegal and dan eroUs combinations
such as that Of the Topeka Convention, i'll
not be disturbed unless they shal. 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 pct down by the whole power
of the Government. In performing this duty
| shall hay' the appreciation Of my own con.
science, and, as humbly iIust, of ny God
| | thank you for the assurance that you
will 'uot refrain from the prayer tnat Al
mifhty God will make my administration
an example of justice and benefcence
You can greatly assist me in arriving a
this blessed contamination by exerting you
influence in allaying the existing excite
ment On the subject of slavery, which ha'
been productive Of much evil and no good
ann which. if it could succeed in attaining
its object, would ruin the slave as well a
his master. This would be work OF gen
uice philanthr py. Every day of my life
feel how inadequate | am to perform III,
duties OF my high station, withuu: the con
tinued support Of Divine Prov ldehce, yet
placing my trust in Him, and in him alone
| entertain d good hope that He will enable
me to do equal Justice TO all portions Of the
Union, and thus render me an humble in
strument in restoring peace and harmon!
among the people of the several States.
Yours very respectfully.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Rev. NATHANIEL w. TAYLOR, D. d.
Rev. THEo. d. WooLsEY, ID. D., LII. D.
i Hon. HESTY DUTruN.
Rev DAVID SMITH, D. d
Rev J. HAwIs, d d., and others