The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-13

EfeEiesufs Message.
We give below the closing paragraph
of the Presidents late message on Kansas
affairs. We win publish the message en-
tire in our next:
Every patriot in the country had in-
dulged in the hope that the Kansas act
would put final end to the slavery agi-
tatioB. at least in Congress, which had
for more than twenty years ccnvulsed the
country and endangered the Union
This act involved great and fundamental
principles, and if fairly carried into eff.
feet will settle the question; but should
agitation again be revived, should the
people of sister States be again estranged
from each other with more than their
former bitterness, this will arise from
cause, so far as the interests of Kansas are
concerned, more trifing and Insignificant
than has ever stirred the elements of a
great people into commotion. To the
people, the only practical difference be-
tween admission or rejection depends SIM
ply upon the fact whether they can them
selves more speedily change the present
Constitution if it does not accord with the
viii of the majority, or frame a second
Constitution, TO be submitted to Congress
hereafter, even if this were question of
mere expediency, and not of right; q
small difference of time one way or the
other is not of the least importance, when
centrasted with the events which must
necessarily result to the whole country
from the revival of slavery agitation. In
considering this question, it should never
be forgotten that in proportion to Its in
signifcancy, let the decision be what it
may, so far as it may affect a few thou
sand inhabitants of Kansas, who have
from the beginning resisted the Constitu-
tion and the laws, and for this very reas-
on the rejection of the Constitution will
be SO much the more deeply felt by the
people of fourteen States of the Union,
where slavery is recognized under the
Constitution.
Again, the speedy admission of Kansas
into the Union would restore peace and
quiet to the whole country; for already
the affairs of that Territory haYe engross-
ed an undue proportion of public atten-
ton, have sadly affected the friendly re-
iations of the people of the States with
one another. and alarmed the fears of
patriots for the safety of the Union
Kansas once admitted, the excitement
becomes localized, and it will soon die
away for want of outside aliment. Then
every difficulty will be settled by the bal
lot box. Besides, and it is no trihing con-
sideration, shall then be enabled to
withdraw the troops from Kansas and en-
ploy them in Q service where they are
much needed. They have been kept
there on the earnest opportunities of Gov.
Walker to maintain the existence of the
Territorial Government, and to secure the
execution of the laws. He considered
that at least two thousand regular troops
under the command of General Harney
were necessary, and acting upon his reli-
able information they have been engaged,
and in some degree to interfere with the
expedition to Utah, in order to keep down
rebellion in Kansas, and which has in
yolEed very heavy expense to the Gov
ernment. Kansas once admitted, it is be-
lieyed that there will no longer be occa-
sion there for the Troops of the United
States.
l have thus performed my duty in the
important question, under deep sense oi
my responsibility to my country. Ny
public life will terminate within briei
period, land I have no other object OF
earthly ambition, than to leave my coun-
try in peaceful and prosperous condition,
and to live in the affections and respect Of
my countTymen. Dark and ominous
clouds are now impending over the Union,
which I oonscientiously believe will be
dissipated with honor to every portion OF
it by the admission of Kansas during the
present session of Congress. Whereas, il
it should be rejected, ] greatly fear that
those clouds will grow more dark, and
more ominous, than any which have evel
yet threatened the Constitution and Union
JAMES BUCHANAN.