The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-19

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was attributable to his influence as the
supposed agent of the administration.
These facts have often been made known
through the newspapers, and they have
never, to my knowledge, been denied.
Now, gentlemen, what was the point in
issue 1t was submission of the con-
stitution to a vote Of the people. Gov.
Walker, with the knowledge and acqui-
escenee of the administratioD-virtu
speaking for them-was pledged in honor
to oppose the constitution if not submitted.
In every solemn form had he bound him
self to pursue this line of policy. IF the
administration had cordially supported
him, at the critical moment, the constitu-
tion would undoubtedly have been sub
mitted. In that case, those who framed
the instrument would have endeavored 10
make it in some degree acceptable to the
people, and they people would
have voted for, or against it, according to
their judgment of its merits.
The influence of the administration, or
even its neutrality, would have secured
its submission. But its influence was un-
derstood to be the other way; and after
a hard struggle. and upon an extremely
close vote, the rights of the people were
ignored, and the submission clause was
voted down.
Gentlemen, l have sought in vain to
find an example in history of such treach-
cry as that which has been exhibited by
the present administration towards Gov.
Walker, in these momentous affairs in
Kansas. Since the days of King David,
no parallel can be found Even his treat
ment of UIiah, the Hittite, was scarcely
so bad as Mr.. Buchanan's treatment of
his best friend and wisest counsellor"
By Uriah's own hand, David sent an Or
der to Joab "Set We Uriah in the fore
front of the hottest battle, and retire ye
from him, that he may be smitten and
die" But treacherously sacrificed as he
was, he at least had the opportunity of
meeting glorious death on the field of
battle, falling in the cause of his country,
and leaving behind him an imperishable
name. He escaped the modification of
surviving his own honor, and of knowing
himself betrayed by his king. David, too,
had the excuse of being moved to commit
this crime, by the most uncomfortable of
human passions. Mr.. Buchanan has no
shadow of excuse. His conduct exhibits
a case of unmitigated treachery-treach-
cry to friends-treachery to principles
and pledges treachery to the best and
highest interests of the great and patriotic
party which placed him in power. Da-
vid's offspring by Uriah's wife was not
permitted to live; SO the Lecompton con-
stitution-the bastard result of Mr.. Bu-
chanan's unnatural alliance with the
| Southern disunionists = already stricken
with the curse of God, will die by the
hands of the people. David, however,
having truly repented of his great wicked
ness, was forgiven and restored to the fa-
vor of his creator. Mr.. Buchanan on the
other hand, being obdurate and unrelenting
has committed the objectionable sin, and
will receive the execration of good men in
all time to come.
But, gentlemen, must claim your in
diligence while, for one moment, allude
to the extra session of the Legislature held
in December last. You all know the cir
cumstances under which the Legislative
Assembly was convened. The people al
most unanimously demanded it. The
representatives of the people, fresh from
the body of their constituents, and pre-
sumed to know their best interests, in the
name of the people, and for the purpose
of averting disorder and violence, asked
for the opportunity to adopt such meas
ures as were necessary to secure the pub
lie liberties, and, through them, the pub
lie peace. Their demand was reasonable,
and the Legislature was called. The act
ing Governor recommended but two meas
ures-a law to submit the Lecompton
constitution to vote of the people, and
another providing severe penalties for
election frauds. Whatever other things
may have been injudiciously attempted,
these were the only measures actually ma
tured and adopted. They were both, in
my Judgment, wise and proper laws. They
have saved the rights of the people from
utter overthrow. If they have not effect
ually punished crime, they have accom-
plished the same result by driving the per-
petrators out of the community and over
whelming them with disgrace.
Yet, gentlemen, this simple act of Civ
ing the people an opportunity, through
their own chosen representatives, in a
legal manner, 70 express their will in re-
gard to their own State government, and
to guard their rights and liberties against
the foulest frauds ever perpetrated in a
civilized community,-this simple act of
obvious justice to the people, drew down
/ the vengeance of the Administration. In
hot haste, with contemptuous disregard of
all manly feeling, in ignorance of the facts,
without demanding or receiving explans-
ton, the President condemned and re-
moved the acting Governor. The person.
al bearing of this extraordinary executive
act is of no consequence whatever. 1t is
onlyits political character which gives it
significance and importance believe the
calling of the Legislature was only seized
upon as plausible ground for doing what
had been already predetermined. Gen.
eral Denver was then IN the Territory,
sent out upon other pretexts it is true, and
without himself knowing the real charac-
ter of his mission. He was Immediately
invested with the authority of acting Gov
vernon. The decision of Gov. Walker
and the then acting Secretary of the Ter
ritory, upon the Oxford and MCGEE frauds,
and the known opposition of both these
officers to the Lecompton constitution-in
short, their determination to redeem the
solemn pledges they had given with the
knowledge and appreciation of the Presi-
dent,-these must have been the real
II cause of the removal, which was only pre-
cipitated by the call of the Legislature
II was not consistent with the altered
policy of the Administration to permit the
people, either to show their opposition tc
, the Lecompton constitution In any effec.
tual mode, or to guard themselves agains
the most gigantic frauds, well known Il
be intended by that party in the Territory
! which received the countenance and sup
port of the Federal authorities. OF course
gentlemen, l do not mean 10 accuse tn
n whole pro-slayery party. for there ar