The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-10
THE PRESIDENT UPON THE KANSAS
QUESTION.

we publish In our news columns the reply Of
President Buchanan to a memorial signed by
several distinguished citizens of Connecticut
We do not propose at this time to review this
singular document, but will only allude to two
or three of its prominent features, hoping to
recur to the subject hereafter.
1t is surprising that the President of the Uni
ted States should turn aside from his duties to
answer any private memorial, and it is impos
sible to resist the conviction that the opportuni
ty was chosen to set the Administration right
with the discontinued South. But this is mat
ter of no moment-a question of taste.
The style of the Presidents reply is courte
Gus, and worthy of imitation by his organs in
Washington, one of which speaks of the memo
rialists as impairment Intermediates" and
another as fanatic clergymen." 1t is strange
that the Chief Magistrate of this nation should
be startled out of his propriety by a set Of i'm
pertinent Intermediates"
The style of the reply is unobiectionable, but
its statements are surprising. The GOODNESS
with which Mr.. Buchanan ignores the fact
stated by the memorislists, that the people OF
Kansas never passed the laws enforced upon
them the readiness with which he charges
upon the Free State men conduct demanding
the interference of the U. S. troops-the bold.
ness with which he declares Slavery to exist in
Kansas at the present time, and also states as
fact that the residents OF Kansas have had a
fair election, and are to have another this fall,
are astounding. Mr. Buchanan blinks the issues
presented to him by the memorialists or denies
their statements. 1t is uncomfortable to us how
the President can have been led to imagine
that the people of Kansas have yet been allow
ed to hold a fair election. The facts proving
the contrary are known the world over, are in.
controvertibe, and cannot be gainsAyed by the
Administration. All that the Free State men
ask to-day is an opportunity to vote themselves
Constitution. They are anxious that the ma.
jority should rule. VIII the Pre- sident grant
them this privilege? Will the President deny
that the citizens of Kansas have suffered the
most cruel indgnities from the Border Ruff
fans? that these outside ruffians passed the
Kansas Territorial laws and that the U. s.
troops looked quietly upon their ouIages? We
think not
Gan tho President hope to make the people
OF the free States believe that the recent amor
tionment in Kansas is talr Ouus0 o.
Aanisinn ruoo iuet ? Old .L~s tho-o - mr. a
ltest attempt upon the part Of the Government
to aid the Pro-Slavery party in fastening a Pro
Slavery Constitution upon Kansas I? These
are the points which cannot be slurred over
and which are vital ones, in the opinion of a
vast majority Of the people of the free States.
There is an easy way open for the Admins
tration to show the people of this country that
it desires justice to be done in Kansas. Let II
use all its influence and power to secure to all
the residents of Kansas upon the frat day Of
July last an opportunity to vote for new Leg
islature and for Constitution. Let the apDor-
tionment be exactly according to population, and
we guarantee satisfaction upon the part of the
Free State men. Has the Administration done
this Will it do it? No. Surrounded with diff
culties in attempting to enforce laws never an.
proved by majority of the people of Kansas
with their Southern supporters crying fercely for
injustice, and threatening open war unless their
demands are acceded to-the Administration
finds itself in helpless predicament, and
swings round to the side of those States which
brought it into power. This is natural enough (:
we only complain that it should make incorrect
statements in its defence, and claim that it's
course has been prompted by desire to act
impartially with the citizens of Kansas.