The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-09-09
lhe Memorial Of Prof siiiiman, aud the
Reply of PrebidrUt tSuchaunn.

]
, the memorisi of-Ptofessor Siliman and forty
T. two others, Of Connecticut, addressed 10 bis
ExcelIency, JAMES Buchanan, President 70
The United Slales:
The Undersigned, citizens OF the Uni'ee
. States and electors of the State of Connect
cut, respectfully 0fer 10 your Excellsncy ihi
their memorial. The fundamental principa
T; / OF the Consttu,iQh Of he United States an'
Of our ..oticai iusiauiious is that, the people
J. shall make their own Aws, and elect the
own rulers. Wesee with gt,ei, il not will
a,ioui.hmrut, iast Gov. Walker OF Kansas
openly represents aud ptochms that the
President of the Uriiei States is emPlo yiDg
through him, an army, one pnrpnse oi which
is 10 force lhe people oil Kansas 10 obey laws
moi their own nor uf the Uuiied SAFES, bu
laws which tits NOTORIOUS snd established
upol evidence that they never made, and
rulers they never electeL. We represent
therefore, by the foregoing, your Excellency
is held up aud proclaimed, 10 The great de-
rosation OF our nalioual character, as vio!al-
ing, in its most essential parllcular, the SOL
emn oalh which The President has taken 10
support the constitution OF this Unlou. We
ca II attention further to the fact ina, Jour Ex-
cellency 10 in like mannef held up TO this
ia ion, 10 all mankind, and 10 all posleriy,
in Tue slltude o ,eleryipg wear against a
| portion of ihe U s - ty employ ing arms IN
Kansas 10 uphold bo'y OF men aud code
OF renaclmenl~, purponuig TO be legislative,
but which never had the election nor sauc-
lion, nor consen, Of the psopls of Inc Terri
tory.
We earnestly representa- your Excelency,
thar we have also taken The oath 10 obey The
Constitution, aud your EScellency may be
assured that we shall not refrain from tue
prayer lha, The Almighty God will make yonr
administration an example ol justice and be-
ne iicence, and with Els terrible majesty pro
lect our people aud her Constitution.
THE pRE,lpESr's REPLY
Washington Gig, Aug. is, 1857.
GENTLEMEN On my return 10 The city al
ter iorinsid's absence, your memorial,
without date, vas placed in my hands, thTo
The agency OF MI Hota'id Kihg, OF 'hs Pos
Office Departments, ID wh'm 1t had been in
trusted. Frun lie disunauisheo source
whence it proceeds, n well a. lis pecn''M
character. have deamsd 1t proper 10 depart
from my general rule ~ such cases, aud TO
give i; an answer.
You first assert that The fundamental prin'
ciples OF The Constitution of The United States,
aud of our political institutions, is that the
people shall make their own laws, aud elect
tEe,r own tnlers. You then express your
grief aud as;on,shmenl that should have vi
olu'ed this principle, and through Gov. Walk
er, have employ el an army, lone OF the pnr-
poses of which is TO force The people oil kaa'
sas. to obey laws not their own. nor OF the
United States, but which II is notorious and
established upon evidence they never made,
aud rulers .hey never eleclei." AID as a
coroiIa'y from The foregoing, You represent
that am "openly held up and proclaimed,
TO The great drroga'ion oi our national char
ac er, as violating, III It's most essential par
tcular, the solenu oath which the President
has taken 10 support the CONSTITUTION VI ihi'
UnIon."
These are heavy charges, proceeding rom
eenllemeu oil your high character, aud, II well
founded, ouahi 10 con>isn MY name TO inta'
my. But in proportion TO their gravity, com
mou Justice, to sag nothing OF Christian char
ny, required ha before making them yon
shonli have clealy ascenained that they were
well founded; if not, they will rebound with
witheriug coudsnna'ion upon their author.
Have you performed this preliminary duly
towards The man who, however unwotIhy, is
the Chief Magistrate of your country! II so
either you or | ars lahoriug under strange
d,Iusion. Shoultihis prove 10 be your case
| il will present a menorsSle example of the
,rnIh, that political prriuhceis blind, even 'c
the existence Of The plaiuest aud most palpa
bile historical facts,
To these facts le' us refer When | enter
ed upon The duties of the Presidential office
on the 4s O. March last, what was The con
diiion OF Kansas?
This Territory had been organized unde
an act OF Congress, passed the Both DAY o
May, 1854, and lhe Government in all iu
| branches was full III operation. A Governor
a Secretary Of the Territory, Chiel Justice
two Associate JUSTICES, Marshal and Dis
iIict Attorney, had been appointed by M.
predecessor, by aud with the advice and con
sent OF the Senate, ano were all engaged II
dischargng their respective duties. A cod
oi laws had been enacted by hs Territona
Legislature, aud the Judiciary were employe
in expoonding and carrying these laws int
effect. -.
1t is quite true that controversy had pre-
viouslv arisen, respecting tho validity OF th'
election of membeis 10 tte Territorial Legs
Iaiure, and o! II q laws passed ey them Bu
al The Time entered! upon ny official duue'
Cousrrs. had recogmizrd this Legislature, ii
ff-ten, lorms, and BY different enactment:
The delegate elsc'ed 10 The House OF Repre-
seniatiyes, sndsr the Teuilo:id law, had jus
completed his term of service on the dag pre-
vious 10 my inauguration. In fart, FUN
The Govern men, oil Kansas as veil eslablishe
as thai of any other Territory.