Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-01-01

swear they will burn Fort Scott the citizens OF that
place arc virtually bcsieged and obliged to be On duty
day and night while in the country around, the people,
by families, are flying from their homes, leaving their
property exposed to the depredatons of these awless
men.
The above are substantially the facts, they we'll
'0u''' "u y WILLIAMS
Instructions to Secretary Denver, Acting Governor
Kansas.
The following is published as the instructions to Sc
crctary DENVER us acting Governor of Kansas 1t was
sent to the Senate by the President the 23d inst,
together with the reply to Gov WALKER letter. among
a mass of documents relating to affairs in Kansas
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON. December II, 1857.
James ". Denrer, Esq,
Secretary and Acting Governor Of Kansas Ie1YttOrW
Sir-YOu have already been informed that Mr.. Stan
ton has been removed from the Office of Secretary of the
territory Of Kansas and that you have bee appointed in
his place | desire to state to you distinctly the
rcs;son of this change The convention which met at
LccOmpton on the first of September had framed con-
stution and had authorized its president to submit the
question to the people of Kansas the Dist of Deem
bcr whether this constitution should be adopted with or
without slavery The Importance of the issue could not
be overestimacd 1t involved the complete and auho-
rtave settlement Of the only bcct of difference which
had seriously agitated Kansas or nterferred with its
prosperity The qualified electors, therefore, to whom
this settlement REFERRED not only had unqucstionabe
right to attend at the polls and give their votes ON the
day appointed but they required to do so by the
highest considerations of public duty In the exercise of
this right moreover, they entitled to adequate pro-
lection by the territorial government, and the acting
Governor was bound to employ all legal means at his
command to give security and fairness to the election
With the conflicting opinions which prevailed in the ter
ritory the question submitted he had no right to in
rrere They had their appropriate issue at the ballot
box and to that peaceful arbrament they might safely be
referred The great objects to be accomplished in the
opinion of tie President were to preserve the peace of
the territory and freedom in the election Enter
tanning these views, he surprised to learn that the
Secretary and acting Governor had the first of De
Cember issued his proclamation for special session of the
territorial Legislature the eth nst only few weeks
in advance of its regular time of meeting and only four
teen days before decision to be made the cues
ton submitted by the convention. The course of Mr.
Stanton, the President seriously believes has thrown
element of discOrd among the excited people of
and is directly at therefore, with the peaceful
policy of the Administration.
For this he has felt it his duty to remove him.
From these views you will readily understand what the
President regards the chief duty which devoves upon
you Mr. SantOns This duty is to preserve
peace in Kansas Every person entitled to vote on the
constitution ought to have safe to the polls and to
be free from any restraints whatever in the exercise of
the elective franchise.
If the civil power is found insufficient for this purpose
the troops of the United States should be employed in
aid of it, and it may be wise precauticu to have them
stationed in advance, within reach of those places where
in your Judgment their services arc likely to be required
1t is earnestly hoped that the of the military power
may BIC wholly avoided. Violence is always less likely
to when the known to be at hand for its
prompt suppression Should the military force become
absolutely necessary to keep the peace you will find full
instructions with reference to the proper mode of en-
ploying it in my communications to Gov Walker of
March 20. July -, and Sept . 1857 and in those sub
9quenty written to Mr. Stanton Of these last that of
Nov 30, was taken to Kansas by you, and you had a
copy of it. All of them will doubtless be found in the
archives of the Governor at ecompton They refer pro-
minenty to the preservation of the peace at certain i'm
portant elcctiOns-but need hardly inform you that
your duty is not intended to be confined to those specal
occasions 1t extends of course to the protection of all
citizens i'll the exercise Of their just rights and applies
to one legal election well to another The Terrific
rial Legislature doubtless convened the eth inst and
while it remains i'll session its members are entitled to be
and free in their deliberations Its rightul ac-
ton must also be respected. Should it authorize an
election by the people for any purpose this election should
be held without interruptions less than those author
SGD by the Convention. While the peace of the terrific
preserved and freedom of election is secured there
need be no disastrous consequences.
The public Journals contain reports of an intended
movement by portion of the residents of Kansas to
organize revolutionary government under the Topeka
Constitution 1t is hardly probable that this report can
Ue well DuC SHOULD the attempt made and
lead to practical collision with the Territorial author
ties the authority OF the Government must necessarily he
maintained and from whatever quarter it is ATTEMPTED
to interfere by violence with the election authorized by
the Constitutional Convention which may be author
lied by the Legislature, the attempt must be resisted
and the security ofthe elections maintained
The peaceful progress of these elections can obviously
occasion injury to any citizen or any party because
their results have only their due weight under the
Constitution and laws 1t is to be expected therefore
that no good citizens will endeavor to interfere with
then but that all the people will be coLtented to see the
work OF the Convention peacefully carried out to its le
gtate results and fairly presented to the consideration
of Congress.
The President relics upon your frnncss and discre
ton to give effect to these Instructions 1t is vitally
important that the people of Kansas and none other thar
the people of Kansas should have the full determination
of the question before them for decision It is i'm
porant Also that in securing to them the protection
which they are entitled great should be taken not
to organize any illegal authority On this point again
refer you to my instructions to Gov Walker and Sec
rotary Stanton which you will regard as directed te
yourself
is proper to add that no action of the Territorial
Legislature about to meet interfere with the cleo
tons OF the list December and the 26th of January II
the mode and manner prescribed by the Constitutions
Convention.
am, Sir respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS Secretary
Minnesota Election.
CHICAGO, Dec. 28.-To-day the official canvas ir