Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-19
STATEMENT BY GENERAL CALHOUN.
WASHINGTON CRY. Feb. II. 1858.

sTATEMENT BY GENERAL CALHOUN.
WAsHISGroN CRY, Feb. IL, 1858.
To the Editor of the Union: -.
SIR l have already communicated to the
Committee on Territories in the Senate, a full
statement of facts connected with the applica-
non of Kansas for admission into the Union as
State. need not repeat those facts in this
paper, as they will doubtless reach the public
in q few days. 1t is with reluctance that / refer
TO matters pertaining solely to the local politics
Of the Territory in which live, and with which
to some extent have been connected but the
various and contradictory statements that have
been made by inscriptions and irresponsible
letter-writers to the public press, touching the
discharge of my official duties as president of
the constitutional convention, make the duty
imperative.
Excitement, conflict and great confusion must
necessarily attend the organization Of govern
ment for community brought together from
all parts OF the world, and actuated by different
objects, motives and prejudices. No Territory
ever organized In the United States has suffered
more from causes of this character than Kansas
Ihe conflict about the shaping Of our institu-
tions, 50 constantly directed BY persons and
parties outside of this Territory, has forced
within its limits q class of population, from
every portion of the Union, most dissimilar i'm
character, and with the strongest predisposition
to collision. That disorder and confusion, the
violation of individual and public rights and
deplored, but could not be prevented. Good
men have sought the peaceful remedy to these
controversies in the ballot box. Bad men have
been governed by no scruples rs to public or
private action. In the periodical addresses put
forth by the aw-and-order or Democratic party
OF Kansas every foreign influence has been re-
pudiated, and every effort made to procure for
Kansas the quiet, peaceful settlement of all
Questions Of public policy by the fair and hon.
est expression Of the popular will. To the
fullest extent these recommendations have not
probably prevailed with their own party
friends, who, in opposition to a party knowing
and respecting no law, may have been driven
to the extremity Of wrong and the violation Of
public right and duty. But it is not my OBJ
ject to 60 into full examination of this SUBJ
ject My object now is to place myself right
before the public on the subject of the election
plkprns for members of the Legislature in
k1qFenworth county, the statements in refer
~ to which have been so conflicting and con-
6o6ctory.
On the 18th Of January, the day before
opened the returns of the Kansas elections for
and under the constitution, was called upon
by several gentlemen from Lawrence, headed
by Doctor or Governor Robinson, and asked if
would be governed, in determining the result
Of the election IN LeavenwOrth county, by the
sworn statement of one of the judges of cleo
tion at the precinct known as the " Delaware
Crossing" L replied, no That could not
and would not, go behind the election returns
1t was then stated that the question was "a to
the legality Of returns and fraud was charged
on what information 1 did not learn, upon the
ground that the returns sent to Inc were not
the true returns as approved and signed by the
judges Of election. To give the full Opportu-
nifty Of submitting testimony as to the legality
of the returns, 1 told the gentlemen that, As
the Legislature would have no duties to per-
form until after the decision of the question of
Axxsaa khar sxxII - l.
Immediate issuance Of certificates of election
in that or any other case, and that the difficult
ty which they suggested could, in the mean
time, be fully Investigated.
The statement 1 made the next day In the
presence of the gentlemen who were present at
tho opening Of the returns. / also authorized
Gov. Denver to state that If the judges of elec-
ton would furnish me, under oath, statement
that the return made was false and fraudulent
would treat such statement as a corrected re-
turn, and be governed by it in giving eerti6-
Gates Of election. knew nothing of the Della
ware Crossing returns, only that pablo rumor
had given to the Democratic party q majority
at that precinct of three or four hundred
supposed the returns in that precinct were in
my ofhoe, and was undeceived only when oil
the returns were opened aud they were net
found. These returns were Of great import
anoe, as they determined not only the political
complexion OF Leavenworth county, but Of
stood at the opening Of the returns, wi hout
the Delaware Crossing vote, the Republicans
had q majority in Leavenworth county, and
consequently, n majority in both branches of
the Legislature.
In order to ascertain the truth, 1 sent a mes
senger to that precinct to see the judges of
election and learn the facts as to the charge of
fraud in the return. In the mean time, the
sealed rsturns from that precinct were put into
my hands by Mr.. Diefendorf, one of the com
missioners for LeavenwOrth county, and OIL
the same day that the messenger returned from
Delaware Crossing precinct. L received the
returns and the messengers report at Weston,
Missouri, on the 2lst' day of January. The
messenger brought to me the following sworn
statements of the judges and clerks Of the pre-
einct in question
TERRITORY OF kansas
County of Lsaren,corth (
The undersigned, jud yes and clerks Of the elec
tion held for State officers and members of the
yState Legisla'ufe, held a. the precinct known as
,Q<l1Wzre Agency, on the fourth day OF January,
A.Q 1858, do hereby certify that the returns
nads by Us Of said election were correct and gen
sutss, 80 that any statement made by any person
--ooS0t 0t6e vote Of said precinct only be deter
mined, - TO Its truth falsity, by reference to
fHa10 s0earns made by us managers and clerk 5
eof nfd election at said precinct.
In. s:s Ss;s;! s.;s4... lodges
w, yss: {: EyR1n.; W,1sos; tolsrl,
TERRITORY os kANsAs.l
County Of Johnson
Before M, S1ml S4ters, an acting Justice oi
the peace In and for the county and Territory