The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-18
VOL. IX-NO. 80.
The Position OF Governor Walker.

The Position OF governor " Walker.
The following letter from the Hon. r. j.
Walker to the anti-Lecompton Democratic
Convention, held in Indianapolis on the 23d
inst, did not appear in the regular report OF
the proceedings, but has since been published.
II will put to rest all doubts concerning Gov.
Walkers position:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1858.
AUSTIN II. Brown, Esq, Chairman, &c:
SIR: Your letter in behalf Of the Com.
mittee, inviting me TO address the mass meet
ing of the Democracy OF Indiana on the 22d
of this month, at indianapolis, has been re-
ceived. 1t would have given me sincere
pleasure to have compiled with your request,
but on the oath OF this month one of my
most important cases, now pending in the
Supreme Court of the United States, is set
down for argument, and cannot be absent
on that occasion.
The power Of Congress to admit new
States into the Union has heretofore, at va
rous periods, been fully discussed by me-
This power Of admission most clearly i'm
plies the PREVIOUS consent Of the people Of
the inchoate State, not only by the very
terms, but as required by the fundamental
principles of our Government. Indeed,
presume it will hardly be contended that
Congress possesses any power to force the
people of State into the Union against
their will. The Union is composed Of
conrederacy Of co-equal sovereignties, and
each must have freely entered into the Fed
eral compact. BY the people ofa State, un
der our Federal Constitution, is always in.
tended the majority of that people. The
people of State, in entering into the Union,
always indicate their previous assent by -
adoption Of State Constitution.
My own opinion, as heretofore often cx-
pressed, distinctly repeated in my letter Of
acceptance of the Governorship Of Kansas
and reiterated in my inaugural address, was
that the assent Of the people to their consti-
tuition can only properly be ascertaiued by a
direct popular vote for or against its adop-
ton. Indeed, in what Other way can il be
ever known that the people would have as
scnted to the constitution unless they are
permitted to vote for or against its adoption?
The President, in his message Of December
last, admits this must be done as regards
the question of slavery IA regulated by
State Constitution, although he comedies
that his Instructions to me as regards the
submission of the constitution were general
and unqualified" It is most unfortunate
that such an opinion had remained so long
dormant 10 the breast OF the President for,
If the slightest suggestion to that effect had
been made to me, it is quite evident from my
lifelong opinions on this very point 50 often
and distinctly expressed, repeated in my let
ter Of acceptance Of the Governorship OF
Kansas, and reiterated in my inaugural ad.
dress, that on such conditions | never would
have gone to Kansas.
1t is true that the President, in his Mes
sage, most frankly comedies, not only that
his instructions to me as regards the submls-
sion Of the Constitution were general and
unqualified" but also that he then supposed
that the Constitution itself would have been
submitted to the vote Of the people, and
that in his judgment this ought to have been
done. But, nevertheless, his message Of
December last, to my surprise and astonish-
ment, first developed the astounding fact
that the President considered that nothing
but the slavery question was required TO be
submitted to the vote Of the people. do
not mean to charge the Chief Magistrate Of
our country with wilul deception on this
question, but this do say, as indicated by
my lifelong opinions, published again and
again, repeated in my letter OF acceptance,
reiterated in my inaugural address and va.
rious dispatches, that the President and all
his Cabinet well knew my opinions on this
subject and that never would have gone
TO Kansas except upon the conditions Of ad.
vocating the submission of the Constitution
for ratification or rejection TO vote oi the
people This, with me, was vital ques-
tion, embodying the only fair, just, peaceful
/ and constitutional method Of settling the
/ difficulties in Kansas.
IL was with extreme reluctance, and ac.
companied with great sacrifice, and after To
pea,ed refusals, that ! at length did consent
10 90 TO Kansas; but upon no Other terms
would have gone than upon those above
indicated; and il the President had stated
70 me that the slavery question only. was
required 10 b. submitted TO the vote os the
reople. he very well knows, and all the Cab
met well knows. and oil my friends whc
conferred with me at that date know, that
On such conditions never would have gon'
70 Kansas
In my administrator Of the Affairs o
Kansas always communicated from first I,
last TO the President. faithfully carried on
these views as regards the Submission OF ih'
Constitution to the people, and by tbs
means. a. the President frankly admits II
his la,e Kansas Message, pevenied san
guinary revolution there in June last Tbr
revolution would have covered Karsas viii
o.Ood and dcsola,ion il wOuld have beer
marked by eli those borros which evet ar
company civil war, which must have extend
ed 70 bosiering states and Territories. ao
involved bat too probably, The ruin of cs