Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-08


and perilous sporting with the sacred
rights of the people. Some oppose, be-
cause the constitution distinctly recog-
nizes and adopts the Oxford in apPortion-
inc legislative members for johnson eoun-
ty upon fraudulent and fictitious returns,
falsely so called, from that precinct, which
recognition of that fraud in the constitu-
ton is abhorrent to the moral sense OF
the people. Others oppose 1t because
although in other cases the presidents OF
conventions have been authorized to IS
sue writs of election, to the regular Ter
ritorial or State officers with the usual
Judges, with the established precincts and
adjudication of returns, in this case I'M
precedented and vice-regal powers are
: given to the president of the convention
to make the precincts, the judges, and to-
decide finally upon the returns. From
the grant of these unusual and enormous
powers, and from other reasons connect
ed with the fraudulent returns of Oxford
and MCGEE, an overwhelming majority
of the people of Kansas have no faith in
the validity of these returns, and there
J fore will not vote. Indeed, disguise it as
: we may to ourselves, under the influence
l of the present excitement, the facts will
t demonstrate that any attempt by Con-
} gress to force this constitution upon the
: people of Kansas viii be an effort to sub
, stitute the will of small minority for
e that of an overwhelming majority of the
4 people of Kansas that it will not settle
e the Kansas question or localize the issue;
: that it will, fear, be attended by civil
: war, extending perhaps throughout the
y Union thus bringing this question back
again upon Congress and before the peo-
pie in its more dangerous and alarming
L aspect.
d The president takes different view Of
d the subject in his message; and, from the
If events occurring in Kansas as vel
e as here, it is evident that the ques-
/ ton is passing from theory into practice
IS and that as Governor of Kansas, I should
Is be compelled to carry out new instruc
le tions, differing. on vital question, from
As those received at the date my appoint
l. ment. Such instructions I could not ex
r ecute consistently with my views Of tht
r, Federal Constitution, of the Kansas anC
E. Nebraska bill, or with my pledges to thu
IN people Of Kansas. Under these circum
lie stances, no alternative is left but to resigl
~ the Office Ex-Governor of the Territory O
al Kansas. No one can more deeply re
greet than myself this necessity but
tie arises from no change of opinion on m
Its part. On the contrary, l should mos
lot cheerfully have returned to Kansas t
e. carry out my original instructions, an
he thus preserve the peace Of the Territory
ge and finally settle the Kansas question b
Sc redeeming my pledges to the people.
ar 1t is not my intention to discuss, at tn
N time, the peculiar circumstances and III
expected events which have modified IL
ice opinions of the president upon point 8
ac- vital as the submission of the constitute
er- for ratification or rejection by the vote
es- the people-much less do I desire ar
of controversy with the president on th
ity subject yet, however widely my vie,
on may differ from those entertained by hi
i'm on this question-views which l ha
an held all my life, and which as inyolvil
lis fundamental principles of public iber
and Of the constitution, are unchangeat
ent. yet, as regards all those great Dem
re- cratic measures which, trust, will &C
the stitute the policy of his Administrati
lor- in other respects, it will give me pie
be sure, as a private citizen, to yield I
to cordial support.
,om l have said that the slavery quest
as practicalissue had disappeared fir,
pre- Kansas long before my arrival there, a
lar- the question of self-government had be
iple substituted in its place. On some futr
With occasion | shall dissipate the delusi
tain which has prevailed upon this subj,
fol- and show that after three years exp,
per. ment, when l arrived in Kansas, tn
of were less than three hundred slaves the
zone and the number constantly diminishin
nav that, as proved by the official records
itch. Congress, published authenticated by th
at distinguished Southern statesman, j
oton G. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis,
Lan- winter climate even of Eastern Kan:
is colder than that of New England, t
and the proslavery Territorial Convention
: of Kansas, consolidated with the Terrific
ority Legislature on the 4th of January, Is
in nearly five months before my arri