The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-24
A CONGRESSIONAL RECESS.

According to the JOINT resolution OF the two houses
OF Congress-, adopted ON Tuesday, that body has
taken a recess from yesterday until the 4th of Janu-
AIRY next This is a new practice, but We maintain
that IL rests on substantial and is good pre-
cedent for the future Heretofore there has not
been an actna recess during the holidays yet il has
amounted to the same thing in substance. By
tacit understanding no business has been done
during that period, and it il seldom that quorum
has been present at the meetings Of either body.
There Consequently actnai delay occasiened by
the recess the final transaction Of the public bust
ness The interval Of ten days viii afford con-
siderable proportion of the senators and members
an opportunity to visit their families to mingis In
the festive enjoymsuts Of the season, and to ex-
change views and opinions with their constituents
The animal reports upon every branch Of the public
business have been Iaid before the country and the
members of Congress viii be able to gather from d.
rect intercourse with the people their views upon
the pubEe welfare, and viii return to the perform
ance Of their Legislative duties fully advised
20 their wishes and interests
ACCEPTANCE OF GOV. WALKER s RESIGNATION
The President yesterday, in response to a resolu-
ton Of the Senate, transmitted 20 that body mass
of public documents with reference to the Territory
Of Kansas
The following letter is among the papers accept
ing the resignation Of Gov, Walker
pFPAKTrFST STATE.
washingtOns December Is, 1857
San On Wednesday last received your communication
of the 18th inst rendering resignation governor
AZ Kansas This resignation is accompanied 10y long
argument the affairs Of the Territory to which, you
are we'll aware would he improper for the department
t. reply If any officer ef the government who feels him
slf constrained refuse obedeoe 20 the instructions o
President Of the United States should pursue this u-
usual course and thus place the files 81 the approa
ate erasrsnent criticisms the policy Of the sdnnisza
ton no person knows better than yourself 10 what
sequences this might lead The department must either
cse charges and arguments against the President to be
filed among the public archives Of the country without
contradiction al reply must spend the time which
ought devoted to the public service IN controversies
with subordinate officers who may disapTore the f1es
dsnts policy Whilst duty therefore fcrtdds tc
Ter into controversial discussion with you ON the raTi
GUS topics embraced by your argument, Il is proper that
should make q remsrk upon single point
Yor state t1at the President has changed his policy
in regard to Kansas And why this allegation Simply
because the convention OF Kansas hnd IN the exercise Of
night belonging them decided that they would not
submit the whole constitution 20 the peope and although
they had submitted the ailnportant and dangerous
question az slavery which threatened TO oonrulse the
niun and alone prominent in the minds OF the peo
pe throughout every State he had not ueated the sub
ct TINS mornefifous question: untre nullitg
Under these circumstances il is imperative duty,
and tins in strict conformity with previous Instructions,
10 take care TINT electum should be held this
vital question and thus give peace 10 the Union Had
he acted IN any other merely because he preferred
the submission OF the constitution originally to the pco
Tle his responsibility would hHve becn Of the graFet
character He intended Expressed the opinion
tti the convention hound 20 SUBMIT portion 81
the constitution 10 the people except the question of
slavery much that that portion 81 the cunsritI-
tion would he inrnlia without such n Submission
Had he entertained such opinion tins would have been
in opposition 10 fae precedsats which have
CURED since the sdrian Of te federal constitution by
the different States The question of slavery the all
sser6ig question: and Won sent Kansas with the
fun condencc the President &c carry out the Pinc
ples az the Kansss Nehrneka art With the question
wbesisr Kansas 70 le free slave state you
b. interfere fpa 70 10 the people II
Kanszk free and fsr election 10 decide tins question fer
themselves The presidents WINS therefore. happy 10
zu from your deEafches 70 this departmenfof the 18th
~ July last ttHf in all your sperhe< ron refraned from
expressing sr uTsnicn O. whether Kansas shoud be
save a FREE Ssnte
ann INSTRUCTED 30 inform yoa at yuur resignation q
the afcc ~ governor II Kansas has brrn scnrysfed
sn sir vour Ofeiieut ss~snf LEWIS CAEs
Hon. BoHaEr wALxu- Washington.