Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-02-12
tcmplatcd by the adoption Of this Constilu-

=. ~ Pi"'o" ~ VhO uuupuun VI tnlS Oonstltu-
ton.
Recent events have shown that their nrprc.
n nsions were well founded ENORMOUS
FRAUDS have been perpetratad at the pre-
cincts of Oxford Shawnee and Kickopoo. and
II may well b, believed that this result was
actually designed by the artful leaders who
devised tho plan and framework of the Le-
compton Constitution. have lately been at
shawnee, and have s,cn and convcrs d with
persons who w,ro at Oxford on the day of the
election. Tho FRAUDS committed are noto-
'?ow and though dishonest persons may deny
them, and may Gil the channels of public in
formation with shameless representations to
the contrary, they can b, easily established
beyond all controversy.
L was to enable the people to shield them
selves from these FRAUDS and to give legal
expression to their hatred and rejection Of the
instrument which permitted them, and was
to be carried by them, that | called the Leg
stature together.
In my judgment the people had fair claim
to b, heard ON this subject through their G'g-
stature. The organic act confdcd to me the
discretion of converting that body in extra
session. The President of the United States
had no rightful authority to oxorcis, that
discretion for me. He had the power Of rn-
movdl and such control as that power gives
him. But | would checrfully have submitted
TO removal and cons aquent loss of favor with
the President rather than occupy the position
OF Governor and rcfus, to the people an OPP
p,rtunitv to assert their most essential rights,
and to protect themselves against TIE
BASESr FRAUDS AND WRONGS ever
attempted upon an outraged community.
There is mora Of the same sort in Mr. Stan
tons address, but the above is enough on that
head
Finally as to the result of the consumma-
ton Of all this iniquity. Mr.. Buchanan pro-
tesses to bell We that the admission Of Kansas
under the Locompton Constitution, will re-
store peace to Kansas and to the country. To
secure that measure, he is bending all his en-
orgies. For that, members Of his Cabinet arc
found in the lobby Of the House, dragooning
the reluctant, and directing the tactics Of the
Administration forces
Mr.. Stanton's opinion of the Lccompton
instrument, and of the policy of his party,
is Hs follows
The measure for which have been unjust.
" condemned has enabled the people Of Kan.
sds to make known their real will in regard
to the Lccompton Constitution ThisaifJrds
the Democratic party an opportunity to de-
lend the true principles Of constitutional lib
erty, and to save itself from disastrous diyis-
ion and utter overthrow. If Congress will
need the voice Of the people and not force
upon them Government which they have
rejected by vote of four to one, the whole
country will be satisfied, and Kansas will
quietly settle her own Affairs without the least
difficulty and without any danger to the
Conicderdcy. The southern States which are
supposed to have deep interest in the mat
ter' VIII be saved from the supreme folly of
standing up in defence Of so wickcd and oi,.
honest Continuance as the Lccompior Constr
fH'oa' The moral power Of their position
Will not be weakened by a vain and us less
defence Of wrong, when it is perfectly certain
they will gain nothing even by success in the
present attempt.
The italics and capitals in the above
quotations are our own. And now we will
ask, our friends Of the Democratic party
not, how are Mr., Buchanan's state.
monts to 30 rsconcilad with common honesty
in any degree but which of these two gen
tlemen is most likely to be correct on these
points Mr.. Stanton is Syuthencr by
birth and association, who went to Kansas
undcr commission Of this democratic adj
mlnistrltion, and with a character for hon
csty and ability, abundanty vouchcd for by
turns unu Pttnrros Il t2tIp -Iave, anu UGni.
fed statement of what he has seen and knows
Of his personal knowledge, a history entirely
consistent with the recent statements Of Gov
Walker and with the current record Of events
We think his testimony must be received, in
spite Of the allegations Of man, who has
never visited tho Territory, who doubtless
receives much Of his information through
nreiudic2d and unreliable channels. and who
writes in evident ill-temper, although the
latter be the President Of the United States.