Staunton vindicator. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-02

w ASHINGTON, lee. 23.--Ihe President,
IN response to a call Of the Senate, to-day
sent large mass Of documents on Kansas
affairs, among them tie following -
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Dec. Il, 1851.
JAMES ". Denver, Eaeg
Secretary and Acting Gov. Of Kansas Ter
ritory.
SIR You hare already been informed
that Mr. Stanton has heen removed from
the Office Of Secretary of the Territory Of
Kansas, and that you have been appointed
in bis place. desire now to state to you
distinctly the reason Of this change. The
Convention which met at Lecompton on the
LIST of September had framed constitution,
and had authorized its President to submit
the question to the people Of Kansas on the
2lst Of December, whether this constitution
should be adopted with Of without slavery
The Importance Of, the issue could not well
be over estimated. 1t involved the com
plete and authoritative settlement of the
only subject of difference which had serious
ly agitated Kansas or interfcred with its
prosperity. The qualified electors, there
fore, to whom this settlement MAS referred,
not only had unquestionable right to attend
at the polls and give their votes on the day
appointed, bat they were required to Is 50
BY the highest considerations Of public au-
ty. In the exercise Of Ills right, more
over, they were esttiiiti q, to adequate protec-
ton by the Territorial Gopornment and
the 1Aeting Governor was bound to employ
all legal means at lsis command to givc 81
curity and fairness to the election With
the conflicting opinions which prevailed in
the Territory on the question submitted, he
had no right to interfere. They had their
appropriate issue at the ballot box, and t.
that peaceful arbitrament they might safely
be referred. The great objects to be ac-
complished, in the opinion Of the President,
were to preserve the peace Of the Territory
and secure freedom in the election. En-
tertaining these views, be was surprised to
learn that the Secretary and Acting Gov
crnor had on the first Of December, issued
his proclamation for a special session of the
Territorial Legislature, on the 18th instant,
only a few weeks in advance Of it's regular
time of meeting, and only II days before a
decision was to be made Oh the question
submitted by the Convention. The course
of Mr.. Stanton, the President seriously be-
lievcs, has thrown anew element Of discord
among the excited people Of Kansas, and it
is directly at war, therefore, with the peace
full policy of the Administration For this
reason be has felt It lis duty to remove
him.
From these views, you viii readily I'M
derstand what the Pro ident regards as the
chief duty which de7olves upon you, as
Mr.. Stanton's successor. This duty is to
preserve peace in Kansas. Every person
entitled to vote on tho Constitution ought to
have safe access to ths polls, and to be free
/ from any restraints whatever in the e1cr-
else Of the elective fIpnchise.
| IF she civil power is found insufficient
fer this purpose, the troops Of the United
States should be employed in aid Of it, and
it may be q wise predution to have them
stationed, in advance within reach Of those
places where, in yonl Judgment, their SER
vices are likely to h required 1t is car
nestly hoped that thu use Of the military
power may be wholly avoided Violence
is always less likely to occur when the
means ave known I'd be at hand for its
prompt suppression. Should the military
| Force becornc stSoiutcl ,re~ossarv to keen
the peace, you VII find full instructions
with reference to the proper mode Of en-.
ploying it, in my communications to Gov
Walker, Of March 2ssh, July 18th, and
September I'd, 1857, and in those subse-
quently written to Mr.. Stanton. OF these
last, that Of November 30th was taken tc
Kansas by you, and you had a copy Of it.
All Of them will doubtless be found in the
archives Of the Governor at Lecompton =
They refer prominently to the preservation
of the peace at certain important elections
but need hardly inform you that your
duty is not intended to be confined to those
special occasions. 1t extends, OF course
to the protection of all citizens in the cxcr-
else of their just rights, and applies to ont
legal election as well as to another The
Territorial Legislature doubtless convened
on the eth instant, and while it remains il
session its members are entitled to lie Sc
cure and free in their deliberations. TT
rightful action must also be respected. -
Should it authorize an election by the pco
pie for any purpose, this election should b,
held without interruption, no less thar
those authorized by the Convention. While
the peace Of the Territory is preserved, ant
freedom Of election is secured, there neee
be no disastrous consequences.
The public journals contain reports Of al
intended movement by aportitn Of the res
idents Of Kansas to organize a rcvolutiona
ry government under the Topeka Constitu
ton It is hardly probable this report cal
be well founded, but should the attempt b,
made and lead to practical collision with tn
Territorial authorities, the authority Of th
government must necessarily be maintained
and from whatever quarter it is attempted
to interfere by violence with the electio,
authorized by the Constitutional Conyen
ton, or which nay be authorized by tn
Legislature, the attempt must be resis
ted, and the security Of the elections main
tanned
The pcacctul progress Of these election
can obviously occasion no injury to any CT
tizen, or any party, because their result
can have only their due weight under tn
Constitution and laws. 1t is to be expect
ed, therefore, that no good citizen will en-
deavor to interfere with them, but that al
the people will be contented to see the wor]
Of the Convention peacefully carried out t
it's legitimate results.
yyyJ