Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-02-06


inaugural address, and in his Topeka speech.
that The Constitution should be submitted to all
the Jona fde inhabitants, although he invariably
stated, when asked for explanation, that some
reasonable length Of residence ought to he re-
quired as evidence oil the bona fde character Of
lnhabitancy.
1t was apparent that all the machinery had
been artfully prepared for a repetition Of gross
frauds, similar to that which had been attempt
ed in October aud it was in view of all these
facts, after the adjournment Of the Convention,
that the people Of the Territory, by almost unan-
imous demand called upon me, as the Acting
Governor 10 convene an extra session Of the
Legislature, in order to enable them peaceably
to protect themselves against the wrongs evident
Up contemplated by the Adoption Of this Consii.
tu.ion. There was no law TO punish frauds IN
%election. returns. The people were intensely
'cxcited and it was the opinion OF :he coolest
men in The Territory that, without a call Of the
Legislature, the elections under the Constitution
could not have taken place without a collision
and blood shed. The meeting of the LrgisIa-
ture diverted the attention OF the people from
the schemes Of violence upon which they were
b%rooding, substituted the excitement Of debate
and invrstlgat on for that of fleece aud warllke
hatred, and enabled their representatives to de-
wise means for counteracting the wrongs which
they justly apptehendcJ.
Recent events have shown that their appre-
tensions we're well founded. Enormous frauds
have been perpelratcd at the precincts of Ok
70 d, Shawnee and KickapoD; and II may be be-
lieyed that this result was actually designed by
the ariful lealers who devised the plan and
framework of the Lecompton Constitution. |
have lately been at Shawnee, and | have seen
and couvcrsed with persons who were at Ok
ford on the day of election. The frauds com
,sa -. .a, ..-.. 81 si.A1, lu, NOR
sons may deny them, and may Gil the channels
Of public information with shameless represent
tstions TO the contrary, they can he easily esiab-
Iished beyond all controversy.
1t was to en- ble the people TO shield them
selves from these frauds, and to give legal eX-
preston TO Their hatred and rejection Of the in
strument which permitted them, and was 10 be
carried by thcai, that | called the Legislature
together.
In my Judgment, the people had a fair claim
to b. heard on this SUBJECT through their Legis-
laturc. The organic act confiled to me the dis
erection of convening that body in extra session.
The President OF the Gnilcd States had no right
ful authority to exercisc-that discretion for me.
He had the power of removal, and such control
as that power gives him. But | would cheer
fully have submitted to removal and consequent
loss Of favor with the President rather than &C.
cupy the position OF Governor, and refuse TO
the people an opportunity to assert their most
essential rights, and to protect themselves against
the basest frauds and wrongs ever attempted up
on AN outraged community.
Not having been informed of the grounds Of
my removal, | know them only through the
newsp per reports. to the.efiect that, in calling
the Legislature, | dsobeyed the Instructions OF
the President. ] had no instructions bearing on
the subject, and there was no time 10 obtain
them. even if | had felt bound to substitute the
Presidents will for that discretioh.w (which the or
ganic act confded to me. The converting Of
The Legislature undoubtedly prevented difficult
~ aud secured peace. Were it important, ] am
confident / could establish this position by the
most indubitable facts but it is sufficient now to
say that the peace OF the Territory was not lin
fact disturbed, and whatever approaches were
made towards such a result were wholly attri-
buiablc TO the policy of the Administration in
censuring my acts and removing me from office.
The measure for which | have been ~unjustly
condemned has enabled the people OF Kansas to
make known their real will in regard to the Le-
compton Constitution. This affords the Demo-
cratic Party an opportunity to defend the true
principles Of constitutional liberty, and TO save
itself from disastrous division aud utter overthrow.
If Congress will heed the voice of the people,
and not force upon them a government which
they have rejected by a vote of four 10 one, the
whole country will be satisfied, and Kansas will
quietly settle her own affairs without the least
difficulty, and without any danger TO the con-
iederacy. The Southern States, which are sup
posed to have a deep interest in the matter, will
he saved from the supreme folly of standing up
in defence OF so wicked and dishonest a contriv-
ance as the L%ecompion Constitution. The NOR
al power of their position will moi he weakened
by a vain and useless defence Of WRONG, when
il is perfectly certain they will gain nothing even
by success in the present attempt.
The extra session of the Kansas Legislature
has done good also, by giving means TO expose
and punish the monstrous frauds which have
been perpetraied, and doubtless, also, by pre-
venting others which would have been attempt
ed. 1t has driven the guilty miscreanis engaged
in them to become ~fugitives from justice, and
has rendered it impossible for the peace OF the
Territory hereafter 10 be endangered by similar
occurrences.
In view of these facts and results, | willingly
accept the rebuke conveyed in my %peremp,ory
dismissal from office, but | appeal to the DELHI
crate Judgment OF the people 10 determine wheth-
er | have rot chosen The only honorable course
which the circumstances allowed me to pursue
FRED. +. STANTON.
WASHINGTON, Friday, Jan. 20, 1853.
THE III ARTropn DrrAICAT,oN Tho rraa.