The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-31
Ecopp OF EyEN1s IN KANSAS.


ported TO have occurred the 2lst The blackrepub
cans RETAINED from voting. No vote received at
Lawrence. When voter by the name of Legget pre-
sented himself his vote challenged although he had
been citizen of Kansas for two three year and in
tended TO vote For the constitution without slavery
the determination being to prevent any from voting
The real object of the repeal by the Legislature at Its re-
session of the act calling the convention seems to
have been to afford the blaclrepubicans for
refusing to vote.
The scattering returns to hand confirm the previous
accounts that the slavery clause been retained in the
constitution At Shawnee the vote 765 for slavery;
at 0lathe 2OO and about the same at Lexington Ac-
coding to the returns received considerable vote must
have been polled
1t Is rumored that split beginning to show itself
among the black republicans growing out Of the viola
ton of the pledges given to Stanton when he convened
the legislature They also divided upon the question
of voting for State officers the 4h of January some
advising that they should go into the election and get con-
troll Of the State government in order TO break il mp
the delegate convention which met at Lawrence the
Esd decided that the party IL represents should into
the election, it doubtless nominated candidates.
Gen Denver superseded Stanton acting governor
the 2lst instant Mr.. Calhoun had invited him and the
presiding officers of the territorial Legislature to he pres
ent and assist IN making the official of the vote
upon the constitution.
ADDRESS OF AGING GOVERNOR DENVER PEOPLE
1a KANSAS
Having been appointed by the President Of the United
States to the Office of secretary and during the COVER
absence acting governor of this Territory it prop
on that should make you brief address sufficient to
indicate what my future course OF action will be.
The troubles and difficulties with which the people
of the Territory have been involved makes this the
more necessary, for it would be unreasonable to
pect any occupying this position to escape misrep
rescnation and abuse The passions of many have
1,r and d-cfan
cues have so embttered the feelings of portion of
the community against another, that it has been repre-
sented as almost impossible to find any willing to
listen to the voice of reason This am not prepared to
believe. That there violent men who have
assumed speak by authority for the people at large
and counsel such must necessarily If follow
ed lead to bloodshed anarchy, and confusion, have
no doubt but it will require than bare assertion
to satisfy me that there is not yet enough of the
yative element remaining to uphold and enforce the laws
by which alone the lives and property of citizens
be protected and the honor of the country preserved
II is the earnest desire of the President that fair OPP
portuny should be afforded all the people of the Terri
tory the approaching elections to give full and free
expression Of their opinions and evidence of this
give the following quotations from his instructions to me-
through the Secretary of State dated December H. 1857
[ov Denver here quotes the material portions of the
instructions referred to- which published in full in
the daily Union of the 18th instant:l
BY these instructions it will be that my duty is
plainly marked out and my views on these sub
ects entirely accord with those OF the PRESIDENT shall
find difficulty i'm obeyng them; and trust that all
good citizens will assist in preserving the peace of the
Territory and at the time settle the questions which
perpex them 1t is far to do this through
the ballot box than by the sword and in that way IL
also be done much speedily 1t is much to be
GREETED that portion of the people have resolved not
to vote on the constitution submitted to-day for had
there been general attendance at the polls the question
of slavery would have been fully and definitely settled
The American people determine political ques
ton by absentng themselves from the polls. Their alb
sence is regarded Indifference and the majority of votes
actually given determines the result, and not the
jority that might have been given
1t is asserted by that persons from other States
have nerfered in the elections and that frauds have been
pepetraed by which they have been overpowered and
deprived of their rights These charges be true but
So the evils they complain of will not be remeded by
alsenting themselves from the polls American citizens
can preserve their rights by abandoning the elective
franchise and punishment too cannot be inflicted
on the man who, by violence, trckery, fraud would
deprive them of it, There is question connected with
our government which ought not and which cannot be
amcbly settled by it, 1t is true that question may be
presented in Objectionable to some but that is
good for refusing ovote for il the majority
wills it. the difficulty be remcded by presenting
the question in the manner required.
This has been of the assigned why por
ton of the people will not vote todaythat the question
has been fairly presented Another is that they
cpate frauds. have Gen. Calhoun, the president
of the convention to whom the returns to be made
and besides assuring that he has DONE and will
tnuc to do all he to have the elections fairly and
properly conducted has invited myself and the presiding
officers of the two houses of the territorial legislature to
be present at the counting OF the vote If majority of
the people dissatisfied with the results of these cleo
TONS they can change them in peaceable manner
by resort to the ballot-box.
very stringent law passed at the late session of
the legislature providing for the inicon of pen
altes persons engaged in election frauds. This act
meets with my most hearty approval and if it is not yet
sufficiently stringent will gladly assist in making it
So 1t is not possible to throw too many guards
around this great bulwk which is the very foundation
of our free institutions
cannot close this address without warning the people
against allowing themselves to DO drawn into quarrels
originating in conflicting claims to lands This Is fruit
full source of difficulty in all countries and in the
present condition Of affairs in this Territory designing
will seek to turn everything Of the sort to political
account Many troubles and the loss of many valuable
lives may be traced TO this cause and people should be
cautious about taking sides political grounds in such
matters of purely personal character
In the discharge of my duties will take such steps
will in my Judgment best contribute TO carrying out the
views above expressed for the majesty Of the laws must
and shall be maintained In these matters shall
pec the co operation of all good citizens and shond my
expectations be realized have fears but that peace
will be preserved. j. W. DENVER,
Secretary and Acting Governor.
DECEMBER 81, 1857
THE WASHINGTON THEATRE.