Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-05

fectve troops, we doubt not, that for the peculiar
warfare in Utah. the California volunteers would Do
most valuable.
THE LATEST NEWS FROM KANSAS.
The Vote on the Constitution-Free State Men stay
Arav from the PoNs-Quia Eiection-Address 81
Gen. Denuer, DC, DC.
Special Correspondence of the N y Herald
JrFrERsos CITY, Mo, Dec. 26 1857.
oantleman has lust arrived here from Topeka,
Kansas, bringing intelligence from Lecompton up 10
the 22d instant. The vote on the go lar as nao
been heard from, had passed on quietly IN on Pafs
snp TO vote and the prosavery party being allowed
etIv 10 90 TO- remain at, and return from the polls.
At Iecompton 1873 votes are said to nave oeen poieo'
of which the pro.sayery party had majority OF o..
Tho noIs were open at Lawrence all day, Dut only
one man attempted to yotei he was challenged ana
Isft the polls; so not single vote was cast in Law
renee on the slavery clause of the Lecompton Con-
stitution. In the town Of Shawnee 700 votes were
cast, all of which were pro'savery. AT Iopeka inc
noIls were open all day, but not q vote was cast
twenty Missourians are reported to have gone over
from Independence Missouri to vote In the Territory
on the DIST but nothing has been heard from them
here yet.
informant left Lawrence and went to Lecompton to
ssze upop the United States arms there. The Legls
lature which was called together by the then Acting
Governor Stanton, adjourned on wednesday the
10Th. You are already acquainted with what was
done during their session.
YER the Secretary of the Territory and now Acting
Governor He took his seat Oh the 2lst. Though no
disturbance 80 far as is yet known occurred on the
vet the affairs of the Territory bear by no means
a naaoeful aspect. Bodies Of armed men, acknow.
ledeing-if any-opposite authorities, are marching
through the Territory. The question as to how soon
these will be brought into conflict with themselves,
and with or for the federal government; depends
seemingly upon the slightest causes.
The roads between here and Leavenworth are IN
dreadful, almost impossible condition. Some thirty
or forty persons have been waiting here for some time
nast TO find means Of getting into the Territory. The
steamer E. A. Ogden took on board freight and pas
senpers yesterday and the day BEFORE to 90 up the
river to Leavenworth but not having sufficient to
satisfy the pecunary demands of the trip, both are
now being rapidly transferred to the Tut, which ar.
r;vsd an hour ago from St. Louis and starts in FIVE
minutes for Kansas. So must close this note and
steam up the Missouri
GOV. DENyER's ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE VI
Having been appointed by the President OF the
limited States to the office of Secretary and, during
tbe Governors Absence Acting Governor OF this Ter.
riory it is proper that should make you brief
address sufficient to indicate what my future course
of action will be. The troubles and difficulties with
which the people of the Territory have been involved
make this the more necessary, for 1t would be I'M
reasonable to expect any one occupying thus posaon
to escape misrepresentation and abuse Inc passions
of many have been 80 thoroughly aroused, and long
standing difficulties have embttered the feelings oil
ono norton of the community against another, that
It has been represented as almost impossible 10 ma
any one willing TO listen to the voice OF reason rms
am not prepared to believe; That there are some
violent men who have assumed to speak by authority
for the people a large, and counsel such measures
Az must necessarily, if followed, lead TO bloodshed
anarchy and confusion, have no doubt; but il will
require more than bare assertion to satisfy me that
there is not yet enough of the conservative element
.enaininp to Uphold and enforce the laws by which
alone the lives ant property of our citizens can be
protected, and the honor Of the country preserved
II il the earnest oesire of the President that fair
onporunty should Sc Afforded all the people OF Inc
and free expression Of their opinions and as an evil
dence of this give tie following quotations from MS
instruction to me, through the Secretary OF STATE
dated December H. 1851:
"Ths Convention whish met at Lecompton on the lst
az Bartender had framed Constitution, and had au
tborised its President to submit the question to the
people on the 2lst Of December, whether this Constr
tuition should be adopted with or without slavery
The Importance of this isue could not well be over
estimated. II involved the complete and authorize
tive settlement of the onysubect of difference which
had seriously agitated Kssas or interferred with its
property. The qualified electors therefore, to whom
the settlement was referred not only had an unques-
tionsbe right to attend atthe polls and give their
votes, ou the day appointed bat they were required
to do 30 by the highest considerations Of public duty
In the exercise OF this right moreover they were en-
titled to adequate protection by the Territorial gov
eminent, and the Acting Governor wcs bound to en-
poy all the legal means at bin command so give seca
rity and fairness to the election.
1.-THE conflicting opinions which prevail IN the
Territory" he says, "had their appropriate issue at
the ballot box and to that peaceful arbitrament they
might eafely be referred. The great objects to be &C.
conplished in the opinion Of the President, were to
preserve the peace of the Territory and secure the
"From these views you willready understand what
the President regards as tie chief duty which de'
wolves upon you as Mr.. Stations successor. Ihls
duty is to preserve the peace Kansas. Every per-
son entitled to vote under thu Constitution ought to
have safe access to the polls aud to be free from any
restraint whatever in the exercise OF the elective
franchise If the civil power found insufficient Tor
this purpose the troops Of to, Uniied states ehouia
be emploYed in aid of it, ano it may be wise pre-
caution TO have them stationed in advance within
reach of those places where in your Judgment, their
services are likely to be required.
They 1.-THE Instructions heretofore given refer prom'
nently to the preservation OF peace at certain iu.
portant elections; but need htrdy INFORM you that
your duty is not intended to be ,onHued to these spe
csl occasions 1t extends, OF iourse, to the protec'
ton of all citizens in the exerce OF their just rghts
and applies as we'll to legal election as to another
The Territorial Legislature, doubtless, convened on
the 9TH instant, and while it remains IN session It's
members are 6ntlleQ 10 % Seuuio oau 90 in wv"
deliberations. Its rghtful action must also be re.
speoed. Should it authorize an election by the peo
pie for any purpose this election should De neld
without interruption, less than those authorized
by the Convention. While the peace of the Terrific
nv is preserved, aud the freedom of elections IS se
cure, there need be no fear Of disastrous conse-
quences. The public Journals ooaain reports OF an
intended movement by portion Of the residents OF
Kansas to organize revolutionary government. II
il hardly probable that this report can be well found
ed But should the attempt be made and lead TO
practical collision with the Territorial authorities Inc
authority of The government must necessarily be
maintained and from whatever qua'ter it is attempt
ed to interfere by violence with elections autho
rzed by the Constitutional Convention, or which may
be authorized by the legislature the attempt must
be resisted and the security OF the election MAINTAIN
ed The pesceabls progress Of thee elections can
obviously occasion no injury t" any Citizen, or any
party because their results can have only their due
weight under the Constitution and laws.
1t ia vitality important hat the people
of Kansas, and no other than the peops OF Kansas,
should have the full determination OF the question
now before them for decision. Ii Is
proper to add that no action of the Territorial Legs.
ature can interfere with the elections Of the 2lst OF
December and the first Monday Of January, IN the
,,ode and manner prescribed by the Constitutional