Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-09-16
WASHINGTON CRY, August IS, 1Sj

WASHINGTON CRY, August Is, 1857.
GENTLEMEN: On my recent return to this
city, after a fortnight's absence, yonr memorial,
without date, was placed in my hands, through
the agency of Mr.. Horatio King, OF tic Post
Office Department, to whom it had been intrust-
ed. From the distinguished source whence it
proceeds, as well as its peculiar character, J
lave deemed it proper to depart from my gen
el rule in such cases, and to give it an answer.
You first Assert that "thc fundamental prin-
ciplc OF the constitution Of the United States
anil of our political institutions is that the pcu-
ple shall make their own laws and elect their
| own rulers.'' You then express your grict AMI
astonishment that should have violated this
principle, and through Gov. Walker, have en-
| pluyed al army, Gone purpose OF which Is tn
force the people of Kansas To obey the laws not
their own, nor Of the United States, bnt i,wS
which it is notorious, and established upon cvl-
dcncc they never maie, and rulers they never
elected" And, as a corn!lary from the iorcgo-
! ins, yu:, represent that am "opcnly held up
and proclaimed, to the great derngatiun Of our
national character, It's violating III It's most c'-
Sential particular the solemn oath which the
President has taken to support the constitution
/ of this CniUn.
These arc heavy charges proceeding from
gentlemen Of your lligr character, and, ii veil
! founded, ought to consgn my name to inf;tmy.
But IN proportion to their gravity, common
Justice. to say nothing Of Christian charity, re-
niirad that before making them you should
have clearly ascertaincd that they were We'll
founded. If not, they will rebound with with
eling condemnation ulon their authors. Have
;ou rer.o. c this preliminary duty towar:;>
the ,i,an who, however unworthy, is the Chi
Magistrate of yu.,r cunntry? If so, either You
or | are laboling under a strange ''rlnson.
Should ts urnsc IT, lac your case, it will l,:e-
seat Il mc;lorube example of the truth that
political prejudice iS itnd even to the existence
! OF tau plaine>t and mo palmble liisturic;:i
facts. Tu l!icsc facts let Us refer.
Wien entered upon the duties Of the prrsi-
drl,iai uIIicc, On the 4ih OF March last, What
WAS the condition or Kansas? This Territory
had been organized under The act of Congress
! of 3Oul May, 1S54, and tic government in all
its branches was in full operation. \ governor,
! secretary of the Territory, chief justice, two
assucate justices, marshal, and district attor-
ney hal !,een appointed by M predecessor, by
/ and with the advice and consent of the ) cnate
and were all engaged in discharging their re-
spective duties. 4 cule of laws had been en-.
acted Ly the territorial legislature; and the
! judiciary were employed in expoundins and
carrying these laws into effect. 1t is quite true
! that controversy had previously arisen re-
specling the validity of the election of members
! Of the territorial legislature and of the laws
passed by them; hut at the time entered upon
my official duties Congress had recognised this
legislature in different forms and by different
enactmcnts. The delegate elected to the House
of Representatives under terrtori,l law, had
Just completed his term of service on the day
previous to my inauguration. In fact, found
the government OF Kansas as we'll established
as that Of any other Territory. Under these
circumstances, what was my duty? Was il
not to sustain this governmental to protect ii
from the violence of lawless men, who were de-
tcrmined either to rule or ruin to prevent il
from being overturned by force in the Ian.
guage of the constitution, to stake care that
the laws he faithfully executed 2" 1t was fol
this purpose, and this alone, that ordered &
military force to Kansas, to net as posse conf
tatus in aiding the civil magistrate to carry tho
laws into execution.
The condition of the Territory at the time
which need not portray, rendered this precan
tion absolutely necessary. In this state O
affairs, would I not ha, e been justly condemned
had lett the marshal aud other officers of /;