The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-01-06

Opinions Of the Members of Mr.. Buchan-
ans Cabinet on the Lecompton Con.
stitution of Kansas.
LETTEn FROM HON. LEWIS cAss.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 1857.
GENTLNMEN My public duties will
prevent me from joining the numerous as
semblage which on Monday evening will
meet in POUR city to endorse the first an
nual message of James Buchanan, who
is the more entitled to the kind considera-
ton of a PENNSYLVANIA meeting, as he was
transferred by the American people from
that faithful State, which binds us all to-
gether, to the Presidency of this great
confederation. Especially is it your de-
clared object to endorse that part of the
message which recommends |" the speedy
admission Of Kansas as q State under a
constitution formed in pursuance of law
full authority I thank you for remem-
boring me among those to be united upon
this occasion and though | cannot be
with You, yet I shall regard your pro-
eeedings with deep interest, and with the
firm conviction that the welcome plaudit,
well done, thou good and faithful SER
vant,n will bsspronounced by n voice
hy Ire Sssenbled thousapds, and will be
borne to the remotest parts OF the repub-
lie, and find it's response in the hearts of
the American Democracy. Such a judg-
mcnt Of approval is due to your eminent
fellow citizen, not less for his past services
and his present position, than for his eff
forts to maintain at this time the true
principles of self government. While his
policy has been condemned, his motives
have not been a~rraigned but he may well
appeal in bis. justification to the efficient
services of a long life now drawing to q
close, and which offers him no reward ho
would accept at the expiration of his
constitutional term of office, but the con-
f6euce and gratitude of his country, and
the appreciation o his own conscience.
1t is good for the American people to
come together in times of doubt and diff
fculty. Our fathers did so in the more
trying scenes through which they .ssed,
and may our sons do SO likewise, should
those evil days come upon them, from
which no people can be wholly exempt
These great convocations of the intelli-
pence and patriotism of the country are
the tribunals to judge public men and
measures, and approve or condemn as cir
cumstances may justify, and their Judg-
ment is rendered more effectual by impo-
sing numbers, by free discussion and by
the nature of their proceedings. The ad-
mission of Kansas into the Union upon
the principles advocated in the message is
n of those great questions which appeal
at once to the reason and the patriotism
of our countrymen, and may well ehal-
lenge your elaboration and action. The
addition of another member to our con-
federacy is an event full of hope, a fulfil
ment of the promises of the past, and a
pledge of the glories of the future. And
it is likewise a peaceable and efectual
for evils, to which our system of
government is exposed. As long as a
Territorial organization exists, the coun
try it embraces will feel tie effect of ex-
ternal influence in important questions,
and efforts to control them will be con-
~tinually made, whatever peri,s may be in
the way of the interference. Such now
is the condition of Kansas, and no just
anu putriotiu man neutrality-suspicious.
condition without serious apprehension
By the mercy of God, rather than by our
wisdom or forbearcnce, we have thus
far escaped that last sectional controversy,
which when it comes may bring with 1t
the destruction of this fair fabric of po-
litical freedom. But we have a security
against this danger, if we can consent to
abandon this fearful controversy and
adopt it, and, that is the admission of
Kansas into the Union under a constitu-
ton formed in pursuance of lawful au-
thority as prominently put forward in the
Pass q law for the conversion
of the Territory into a State, and you say
at once to the dangerous and conflicting
elements, "Pcace, be still" The storm
will be hushed, the institutions of the
country, whether domestic or political,
will be regulated by the people Of the
country, and but . few BRET months will
pass away before peace and quiet will be
restored, and this alarming contest re-
membered only for the lesson of forbear-
ance it would ineulcate. This is precise
" the view taken of the subject by the
President, and I trust gentlemen, l do
not doubt, indeed, that the same view will
be taken by the patriotic citizens to be
assembled within sight of the Hall of In
dependence, to deliberate upon the con-
dition of the country and to pass judg-
nent upon the course of the Chief Magis-
LEWIS CASS.
To GEORGE PL1TT, Esq, and others,
Philadelphia.
An Old Penitentiary Convict