The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-30
Gov. Walker.


We hail his advent among us with pleas
ure, and trust we have a statesman now
at the head of affairs, who viii take.
an American view Of things, and viii
labor to redress our grievances. Gov.
Walker is : Southern man, but he is ne.
disnnionist. and too much of man to be.
led BY the pot-house politicians who win
surround him at Lecompton. We have
no doubt he will seek an acquaintance
with al parties. and labor to do all parties
equal and exact justice. From the tone
of the following article, which We copy
from the New York Times of the 18th
instant, we think the people of Kansas
have much to hope from his administra-
ton, though we are conscious politicians
will make war upon him, as they do upon
all Others who seek to do right. We
quote:
Hon. Robert J. Walker, the new
Governor of Kansas, arrived in New
York on the 18th of May. from Washing
ton, on his way TO Kansas Territory. He
Immediately repaired to the Astor House,
where he had been invited TO meet q
number of his personal friends at COM
plimentary dinner given by his friend Mr.
Solomon KohnstrIm, at which were pres
ent L V. Fowler. ESQ.,, George Saunders.
Esq, R. j. Dillon, Esq, Hiram Fuller,
Esq, and some fifteen or twenty other
distinguished guests.
." In response to complimentary toast
Ar. Walker made brief, eloquent, and
very effective speech, in which he took
occasion not only to return his thanks for
the kind feeling towards himself person.
ally evinced by the company present, but
also to say something of the affairs and
prospects in the Territory, which was to
be the scene of his future labors. He said
that nothing could have induced him to
accept the Office of Governor of Kansas,
rendered him by the President of the
United States, but the hope of restoring
peace to that Territory, and of doing
something to settle, decisively and finally,
the great controversy which had divided
the country and which was the only thing
which threatened the peace and stability
of the Union. He declared himself de-
voted to the Union, believing that upon
its preservation rested the hopes, not OF
this country alone, but of the world, fol-
popular freedom, and said he was pro-
foundly anxious to remove everything
which threatens its peace and menaces Its
existence. The Kansas question consti-
tuted, in his Judgment, the most threat
ening of the perils by which it had ever
been threatened; and he hoped that, il
this could be fairly and satisfactorily adj
justed, the last of the dangers which
menace its peace would be dispelled.
at was this feeling which had induced
him to accept this appointment, and he
was prepared to enter upon its duties in
the spirit of peace and of harmony which
their proper discharge would undoubtedly
demand. He WAS prepared and resolved
to attempt the settlement of the differ
enees which prevailed in Kansas, upon
the principles Of the fundamental law OF
the Territory and of the Constitution of
the United States; principles which had
received the sanction of that august tri-
bunal, the Supreme Court of the United
States, namely, that it belonged to the
people of Kansas to decide for themselves
what their domestic institutions should be.
He recognized to the fullest extent
the justice of these principles. He be-
lieved them to be the only principles
upon which the institutions of any state
could be fairly and finally established
| He believed that neither Massachusetts,
Connecticut nor Missouri had any more
right to say what the institutions of Kan
sas should be, than the people of Kansas
had to say what the institutions of Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut and Missouri should
be. 1t was entirely wrong and unconsti-
tutional for the people of any one State
to interfere with the affairs or institutions
of any other. Each was sovereign and
independent, and was entitled to the full
and fair exercise of that sovereignty and
independence. He was prepared and de.
terTnined to apply these principles to the
administration of affairs in Kansas.
"The people of that Territory had clea
and unquestionable right to decide TO
themselves upon the adoption of Stat,
Constitutional any attempt on the
part of any Convention, or any other bod,
of men, however respectable and infuen
tiai they might be, to impose upon the
Territory Constitution not sanctioned BY
the popular voice would be usurpatieI
and a wrong which could not be tolerated
for moment. So far as the utmost ex
ercise of his official powers and his per
sonal influence would go to secure tina
result, Governor Walker said he was de
terInined the people of Kansas shoult
shave an opportunity for full, free an,
solemn expression of their will upon tn
adoption of any constitution that nigh
be framed-after a fair and satisfaction,
census Of all the b0,d fde inhabitants VIII
might be in the Territory at the time.'
He considered it due to them. II was
part of their inherent and inalienabit
sovereignty. And he should consider it
not only a point of law and of officia
duty, as an officer of the Territory, but ;
point of honor as a man and a gentleman
to do everything in his power to secure Il
them the full, fair and undisputed exer
else of this fundamental right. This ht
believed to be the great point essential Il
the peace and welfare of Kansas. If the
people could have such vote, all dissen.
sions would be settled And he regarded
all the past differences--the contests abou
the Legislature, about the Topeka Con
yention, about the census and register O
voters-as preliminary questions /; import
ant, undoubtedly, but deriving most o
their consequence from their relation Il
this great and paramount question-th,
fright of the people Of Kansas to decid,
for themselves the Constitution which
may be offered for their adoption. If Thu
could be properly and satisfactorily ad
Ijusted, all the difficulties which nov. EN-.
barrass the settlement of the TerritoEy
would disappear.
"Governor Walker said it had been hi.
fortune to be engaged in various position,
and departments Of the public service, bui
he had never entered upon any dutie,
which seemed TO him of more vital i'm.
iportance than those connected with hi
present Office. He entered upon thei