Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-20


cnanan 70 intimdate him, or at least 10 inspire him
WIN . serious apprehension that the Republic was
10 danger nom the designs Of these dsunionists If
uIs coyec.ure o, mile is true, based as il is upon
me facts which have mentioned Mr.. buchanan has
thrown away the most gloriods opportunity that
ever man had 10 his countrymen and b; pIaee
himself upon pedestal of immortal honof. NTT
~ nc had ma ntained the position with which he SET
out with which at least Governor Walker and MYSELF
understood him to set out n this Kansas business,
snd great many Others understood the same thing0
he had pursued that course 10 the end sustained
inc Pohcy inaug'lrated BY Governor Walker, what
southern States-that true-hearted Democracy Of
tennessee oil Kentucky, of North Carolina of Texas
OF LOUISIANA and possibly Of other southern States,
would have rallied around the standard of right OF
the Constitution; they would have sustained rim and
hewoud nave had the power crush the conspirators
whose design i might have been TO break up this
Government Great applause lido not doubt the
to whisper a suspicion that he has done ANYTHING
which he does not believe TO be right; but taking The
other ground, throwing away that golden opporiuni
", ne has, in my Judgment, launched this Govern
exerons, It may possibly and perhaps must be, that
(withou the interference Of Him who has preserved
our country from its infancy through many stormy
periods down t. the present hour, or institution,
may be wrecked frever-the light Of freedom in this
world extinguished in all time 70 come. A voice
That cannot bel hope not.
Alter few words in reference to the probable eff
feet OF the recognition Of the Lecompon Constitution
IN dividing the country again into sectional parties,
Mr., .. closed, amid great applause. # I III G
The chairman stated that Governor Walker. unex-
pectedly and unavoidably absent had sent letter,
just received, which would be read
Col. w. Z. Lehman read ii, as follows:
HoBoKES, N j., Monday, o'clock, Feb 8. 1858.
DEAR Sir: In consequence Of my absence from
New York, only heard n few moments since that
Monday, the eighth Of this month, was fixed as the
dsy for the meeting at Philadelphia, Of that portion
Lecompton Constitution on the people OF Kansas. 1
supposed it was later. My engagements at New
York are 30 imperative as to prevent INV absenc,
from the city butmy whole heart will be with you ON
State as graduate of her noble University az Phil
adelphia, where have been spent 80 many happy
days Of my youth and manhood 1 look 10 this sreat
meeting with the deepest interest In your city
4th Of July, i77e, was first promulgated the great
truth that all free government is based upon tie
consent Of the gooernsd" Let this truth be inscribed
on your banners and written on your hearts Let Il
be proclaimed by you that this great principle shall
neither be evaded by technical quib6les, nor sub
verified by frauds and forgeries. a'
The real question is this Is the Lecompton Com
stitut'on founded on the consent Of the people of
kansasg You know it is not and therefore any act
OF Congress adopting this Constitution, is not admit
ting State on the request Of her people into the
Union in accordance with the language of the Fed
eral compact, but forcing q State into the Union
against her will. Such an act would be clear vio-
ation of the Constitution of the United States, of
State and popular sovereignty, of the Kansas and
Nebraska BILL and of the fundamental principles Of
free government
May the noble Democracy of Philadelphia unfurl
to the breeze the banner of self-government and
under its folds of the native sons of Pennsyl
vania, will march with You in the ranks 10 the res
cue Of the liberties of our country. h slsgg
Yours.truly X. j. WALKER.
COLONEL JOHN w. FoRNEY.
When the reading of the letter was finished, three
hearty cheers were given for Gov. Walker.
The meeting then adjourned with many exhibitions
of enthusiasm.