The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1857-09-11
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
WASHINGTON CRY, Aug. ID, lS5'

w ASHiNGTON CITY, aug. ID, 1924.
"GENTLEMEN : On my recent return to this
city, after tortnighi'S absence, your memorial
without date, was placed in my hands, through
the agency OF Mr.. Horatio KING, of the Post
Office Department, TO whom il had been en-
trusted. From the distinguished source whence
it proceeds, as we'll as ITS peculiar character,
have deemed ii proper to depart from my gener-
al rule IN such cases, and 10 give II an answer
ssYou first assert that Fthe fundamental pfin-
cple of the Constitution OF the United States,
and of our political institutions, is that the ppo-
pie shall make their own laws, aud elect their
own rulers" You then express your grief and
astoniShment that ! should have violated this
principle, and through Gov. Walker have en-
ployed an army, ''one of the purposes of which
is to force the people OF Kansas 10 obey laws not
their own, nor of the United States, but laws
which it is notorious, and established upon tvl-
dence, they never made, and rulers they never
elected" And as a corolIary from the torego-
ing you represent that am 'openiy held up,
aud proclaimed, TO the great drrogatIon of our
National character, as violating, IN its most es-
sentIal particular, the solemn oath which the
President has taken to support the Constitution
of this Union"
"rbrse are heavy charges, proceeding from
gentlemen of your high character, and if We'll
founded ought to consign my name to iniamy.
But in proportion 10 their gravity, common JUS
tcp, to say nothing of Christian charity, rrquir-
ed that before making them you should have
clearly ascertalned that they Were we'll found
I'd; if not, they will rebound with whitening
condemnation upon then authors. Have you
performed this preliminary duty towards the
man, who, however unworthy, IS the Chief Ma
gisrate OF your Country! II so, either you or
are laborng under a strange drluSlOn. Should
this prove TO be your case, II will present a me-
mo aDle example OF the truth that political pre-
ludice is blind, even 10 the existence of the
pialurst and most palpable historical facts. To
these facts let US refer:
''When | entered upon the duties of the
Presidential Office, on the fourth of March last,
what was the condition Of Kansas This Terri
tory had been organized under an Act OF Con-
gress, passed the 30th Of May, 1854, and the
Government in all its branches was in tull opp-
ration. A Governor, Secretary OF the Terri
tory, Chief Justice, two Associate Justices,
Marshal, and District Attorney, had been APP
pointed by my predecessor, by and with the adj
vice and consent of the Senate, and were all en-
gagged m dlscbarging their respective duties -
A code OF laws had been enacted by the Terri
toral Legislature, and the Judiciary were en-
ployed in exponndIng and carrying these laws
into effect.
"It Is quite true that controversy had pre-
vlousy arisen, respecting the validity Of the
election OF members to the Territorial Legsla-
ture, and Of the laws passed by them. Bot at
the time | entered upon my official duties, Con-
gress had recognized the Legislature in different
forms, and by different enactments. The dele
gate elected 10 the House of Representatives.
under Territorial law, had just completed his
term of service on the day previous to my in
auguratIon. In fac; / found the Government
OF Kansas as we'll established as that of any
other Territory.
'Under these circumstances, what was my
duty! Was It not TO sustain this Government:
to protect it from the violence Of Law less men,
who were determined TO rule or ruin: to pre-
vent 1t from being overturned by force; in the
language of the Constitution, to "Take care
that the laws be faithfully executed?''
at VAS for-this purpose, and this alone, that
l ordered a military force TO Kansas, as a posse
comttatus; aiding the civil magistrate to carry
the laws into execution. The condition of The
Territory at this time, which need not portray,