Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-01-01
Secretary Cass in Reply to Governor
Walker.

Walker.
We subjoin the curt and cripsy reply OF
Secretary Cas- To Gov. Walker. IL uHooH-
diiiOHaIy commits the Administration w
the defense Of the Lecomp,on swindle, and
In this way seems TO shut the door to all
compromise.
STATE DEPARTMENT. Dec. Is, 1857.
SIR-On Wednesday last | received your
communication Of the 18th inst, rendering
your resignation as Governor Of Kansas.
This resignation is accompanied by long
argument on the Affairs Of the territory gen.
orally, to which you are we'll aware II would
DO impossible for this Department, to reply.
II every officer OF the government who
feels himself constrained TO refuse obedience
10 the instructions OF tho President, shall
pursue this unusual course, and thus place
on the files Of the appropriate department a
criticism on the policy Of the Administra-
ton. no person knows better than yourself
to what consequences this might lead. They
must either cause the charges and argu-
mcnts agains, the President 10 be filed among
the public archives Of the country without
contradiction or reply, or il must spend the
time which ough, 20 be devoted TO the public
service, in controversies with subordinate
officers who may disapprOye Of the Prcsi'
dents policy. Whilst duty, therefore, for
bids me 10 enter into controversial discus
sion with you on the various topics cmbra-
eel by your argument, il is proper that |
should make remark upon a single point.
You state that the President has changed
his policy IN regard IN Kansas. Aud why
this allegation simply because the Com
yeniion Of Kausa. have, in the exercise OF
the rights belonging to them, decided that
thcy would not submit, the whole Cons;itu.
ton to the people, although they had sub
mii,ed tho all important and dangerous
question OF slavery, which threatened to
convulsc the Union and was alone promi.
men, in the minds of the people throughout
the State. IIe had not treated the submis-
sion OF this momcntous question a. mere
nudity. Under these circumstances il was
his imperative duty, and this m strict con.
iormity to the previous instructions, to take
care that fair election be held on this
quc't,on, and thus give peace to the Union.
Had he acted in any other manner, merely
because he preferred The submission Of the
Constitution originally TO the people, his
responsibility would have been Of the gra-
vest character. lie never intended or eK-
pressed the opinion that the Convention
was bound to submit, ans portion Of the
Constitution to the people except the Ques'
ton Of slavery, much les that portion
should be Invalid without such submission.
Had be entertained such an opinion, this
would have bccn in opposition To the nu-
mcrous precedent. which have occurred since
tho adoption Of the Federal Constitution
by the diiTrr,n, States.
The question OF slavery was tive allah
sgrbing question. and YOU were sent 10 Kan.
sas with tie fall confidence Of the President
to carry out the principles Of the Kansas
Nebraska act. With the question OF
whether Kansas was to b. a free or a slave
State. you were not to interfere. You wcrc
to secure to the people OF Kansas a free and
fair election 10 decide the question for them
selves. The President was therefore happy
to learn from your dispatches To this De-
rar,mcnt, July 18th, that in all your
speeches YOU had rcfnincd from expressing
any opinion as to whether i, should be a
slave State or free State.
am instructed to inform you tina, YOUR
resignation Of the Office Of Governor OF Kan
sas has been accepted. am, Sir,
Your obcdicu, servant,
LEWIS CASS.
To RourRr J. wALEER, Washington.