Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-12-29

IlUN.
The President in response to a resolution Of the
Senate, has transmitted to that body mass of pub
lie documents with reference to the Territory OF
Kansas.
The following letter is among the papers, accept
ing the resignation of Gov. Walker:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHHGToN, December Is, 1851
SIN: On Wednesday last l received your commu-
mic .tOn Of the 10th inst, rendering your resgna-
ton Governor Of Kansas. This resignation Is
accompanied by long argument on the affairs OF
the erritOTy, TO which, you well aware il would
be improper FOR the department TO reply. Ii any
officer Of the government who feels himself consrain
ed to refuse obedience TO the instructions of the
Pres lent Of the United States should pursue this
unusual course, sld thus place the flies of the
appropriate department criticisms on the policy Of
administration, no person knows better than your
self 10 what consequences this might lead. The de
partment must either cause charges and arguments
against the President to be filed among the public
archives Of the country without contradiction or
reply, OF it must spend the time which ought to be
devoted 10 the public service in controversies with
subordinate officers who may dsapprove the Presi-
dents policy. Whilst duty therefore, forbids me TO
enter into controversial discussion with YOU on the
various topics embraced by your argument is pro-
per that l should make d remark upon single
int.
You state that the President has changed his poll
cy in regard TO Kansas. And why this allegation
simply because the convention of Kansas mad in
the exercise Of the right belonging them decided
that they would not submit the whole constitution to
the people, aud although they had submitted the all
important and dangerous question of slavery which
threatened to cOnvulse the Union and was alone pro-
minent IN the minds Of the people throughout every
State ne had not treated the submission of this mo-
mentOUs question mere nullity.
Under these circumstances, It was his imperative
in SIR form
structons TO take that a fair election should be
held this vital question. and thus give peace TO
the Union. Had he acted in any other manner
merely because he preferred the submission Of the
constitution originally 20 the people, mis- response
biIty would have been Of the gravest character He
never intended OF expressed the opinion that the
convention were b-und TO submit any PORTION Of the
constitution to the people, except the question OF
slavery, much less that that portion Of the constitu-
lion would be invalid without such a submission
Had he entertained such an opinion, this would
have been in opposition TO the numerous presidents
which have occurred since the adoption Of the fed.
era constitution by the different States The uues-
ton Of slavery thu sll-abs5rhing question, and
you sent TO Kansas with the full confidence of
the President TO carry out the principles Of the Kan
sas Nebraska act. With the question whether Kan
sas 70 be free slave state, you were not TO
interfere. You to TO the people Of Kan
sas free and fair election TO decide this question
for themselves. The President was therefore, hap
Ply TO learn from your dispatches to this department
OF IA 10Th July last that IN all your speeches you
retralned from expressing any opinion whether
Kansas should be slave or tIee State.
am instructed 70 inform you that your resigna-
uon OF Tue Office Of Governor Of Kansas has been
accepted.
am, sir, your obedent servant,
LEWIS CASS.
Hon. ROBERT J. WALKER, Washington.