Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

To the Senate and
House Of Representatives. Of The United States
Ihsve received from J. Calhoun, ESQ, presiden
Of the late constitutional convention Of Kansas, &
copy, duly certified by himself Of the constitution
framed by that body, with the expression of a hone
that would submit the same to the consideration o.
Congress WiIh the view Of the admission Of Kansas
into the Union as an independent State In com,
plane with this request, herewith transmit e
Congress, for their action. the constitution of Kan
sas, with the ordinance respecting the public lands
well as the letterO Mr. Calhoun, dated at LeCOmp.
ton on the l4th Ultimo., by which they we're
accompanied Having received but single copy
ofthe constitution aud ordinance send this to the
Senate.
Agreat deluson seems 5pervade the public mind in
relation to the condition OF parties in kansas This
arises from the difficulty Of inducing the American
people realize the fact that any portion of them
should be in state Of rebellion against the govern
ment under which they live. When we speak Of the
affairs CT Kansas, are apt to refer merely to the
existence Of two violent political parties in that
Territory, divided the question Of slavery Just as
We speak Of such parties IN the States. This pre-
sents adequate idea Of the state Of the case
The dividing line there IS not between two political
parties both the lawful existence ofthe
government. but between those who are loyal to this
government and those who have eudeavored 10 des-
troy It's existence by force and by usurpation-
between those who sustain and those who have done
all in their power overthrow the territorial govern
meut established by Congress. This government
they would long since have subverted had il not
been protected from their assaults by the troops Of
the United States. Such has been the condition of
affairs since my Inauguration. Ever since that period
large portion OF the people Of Kansas have been in
a state Of rebellion against the government with
military leader at their head Of q most turbulent
and dangerous character. They have never &C
knOWledged, but have constantly renowned and
defed the government 10 which they owe allegiance
Al =.
against Its authority. They have all the time been
endeavoring to subvert il and % establisd revoIu-
lionary government, under the sO-called Topeka
constitution, in its stead Even Mt this verymoment
the Topeka Legislature are in session Whoever has
read the correspondence Of Gov. Walker with the
State Department, recently communicated to the
Senate, will be convinced that this picture is not
overdrawu He always protested against the with
draWal Of any portion Of the military force of the
United States from the Territory deeming it's pres
ence absolutely necessary for the preservation fthe
regular government and the execution Of the laws
Ia nis very first depatch 70 the Secretary Of State
dated June >, 1857, he says: The most alarming
movement however, proceeds from the assembling
the 9Th June of the so called Topeka Legislature
with view the enactment of an entire code of
avs. OF course, it will be my endeavOr TO prevent
such result IL would lead 10 inevitable and dis
,strous collision and, in fact renew the civil war
Kansas" This was with difficulty prevented bv !
The efforts Of Gov. Walker; but soon thereafter on
The l4th Of July, we hud him requesting General 1
Eisrney TO furnish him a regiment Of dragons TO |
proceed 10 the city Of LawrenCe-and this for the |
sas0n that he had received AUTHENTIC intelligence
-rihed by his own actual observation, that dan
-r0us rebellion had occurred, Involving an open
defiance Of the laws and the establishment Of an /
iUSurgent government in that city"
Ia the Governors despatch of July 18th he in
forms the Secretary Of State "that this movement
at Lawrence was the beginning Of a plan, origina-
the Territory; and especially in all towns cities
OF counties where the Republican party have a
ua iority. Lawrence is the hOtbed of all the sbo-
lItlan movements in this Territory 1t is the town
est bshed by the abolition societies Of the East and
WI lst there respectable people there il is filled
by = considerable number Of merceGaries who are
aid by the abolition societies 70 perpetuate and I
lifIuse agitation throughout Kansas, ard prevent a
peaceful settlement Of this question. Having failed
10 inducing their so-cslled Topeka State Lcgisla.
ure 10 organize this instruction, Lawrence has
it herself, and. If not arrested the re-
2ellCn viii extend throughout the Territory"
Ant again: "ln order % send this communica-
ion Immediately by mail, must close by assuring
7Ou that the spirit of rebellion pervades the great
mass Of the Republican party of this Territory in
igatei as / entertain no doubt they are by eastern
societies having in view results most disastrous
o the government and to the Union and that the
continued presence Of Gen. Harvey here is indis.
,eDssbie, as originally stipulated by me- with large
body 0f dragons and several batteries
On the 2Urh July, 1857, Gen. Lane under the
authority OF the Topeka convention, undertook, as
Governor Walker informs as, 10 organize the whole
O-cailsd free Stale party into volunteers, and to
axe the names OF all whs refuse enrolment. The
rofesssd object is 10 protect the polls at the cleo
ion IN August, Of the new iusuTgcnt Topeka State
legislature
s.Tbe ohieH Of taking the names OF all who re-
use enrolment is Go terriv the free State conservs
trociuos committed on such uen by Toneksites / .
be speedy location Of large bodies of regular z
-oons mere with two batteries, rs necessary The
swrsnce insurgents await the development of this q
eW revolutionary military organization" &c, SC 8
In the Governors despatch OF July 9th, he saws
Ia Gen. Lane and his staff everywhere deny the
lthorty Of the territorial Is and counsel 0tsl
sreEn76 Of these enacJmeuts.' e
vi. hrrt making further quotations Of q similar v
laracter from other dispatches Of Gov Walker, 10
,pesrs by & reference 10 Mr. Stant0ns C0mmuni- O.
.tion 90 len Cass, Of the 9th December last, that
e iur5raut step Of ca ling the Legislature to-
sther va taken after The1 had become satisfied z
.st tbr election ordered BY the convention on the
ST insrsrt could not be conducted without collision
Id bload.Bed So intense Wss the disOysl feeling
nong the enemies Of the government established s.
? Coug-o-s that an election which afforded them
} opportunity if in the majority, OF making Kan
s q free State according 70 their own Proiessel Q
]
oodshei
The tru is that up till the present moment, the
enies OF the existing government still adhere TO G
er Top "a revolutionary constitution and govern
slt. Tie very first paragraph Of the message OF '
3v Robinson, dated on the 9TH December, to the q
ypeka Legislature now assembled 1t Lawreace u
ntains on opon defiance of the constitution and u
We Of tac United States. The governor says; u
The cor yeution which framed the constitution at Is
peka originated with the people Of Kansas Terri 81
~. They have adopted and ratified the same by "
iirec vo,s twice. aud also indirectly through two o.
sctons OF STATE officers and members Of the State &c
gislaure Yet Il has pleased the administration II
regard the whole proceeding revolutionary u
This Iopeka government, adhered TO with such p
easonabie pertinaeity, is government In direct CO
position 10 the existing government prescribed NJ
ID recognized by Congress- It is usurPatlon Of IS
e same character il would be for portion OF %
. people OF any State Of the Union 10 undertake h'
establish separate government, within itE limits st