The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-05-22
MIR. srANroN,s SENTIMENTS.
WASHINGTON, May 2, 1858.


To the Editors of the National hatelttgencer:
GENTLEMEN In this mornings Union
the Hon. Samuel S. Cox, in his letter ac-
companying that of Governor Walker
on the subject of "the Kansas conference
BILL" states that he understands that the
latter document meets my approval. l
beg the use of small space in your col
umns for brief explanation.
/ knew nothing of Gov. Walkers let
ter until after Mr.. Cox had stated its con-
tents in the House of Representatives on
the 30th ult. Not having heard even of
the existence of the paper, I could not
have given an opinion upon it, although
l was we'll aware of Gov. Walkers views,
and of his frank expression of. them from
his first reading of the bill which took
place in my presence.
The difference between Gov. Walker
and myself is not very material yetjus
tice to my own strong convictions seems
to require me to make them known.
agree that the bill in question does virtUdNy
submit the Lecompton Constitution to Uott
of the people of Kansas, however ungra-
ciously this act of justice may be conceded,
but the conditions of this submission are
in my Judgment, in the highest degree
illiberal and unfair, creating an unjust dis
elimination in favor of the Constitution
already rejected by the people, and at
tempting to coerce them into acceptance
by a sort of constraint which is unworthy
of Congress, and necessarily offensive to
the people of the Territory. Notwith-
standing these objections, however, when
it was proposed that the Anti-Lecomptor
Democrats should support the measure
was ready, in Difference to the judg-
ment of Governor Walker and others, tc
waive my own opposition and to ac-
quiesce in its passage, although l would
have hesitated to vote for it, if the re.
sponsibility of such vote had rested
upon me. My confidence in the stern
purpose of the people of Kansas to vim
dicate their rights, even under all the dis
advantages of this bill, rendered the
modification of the Crittenden- Montgom-
cry proposition less material, especially as
l believe there oiU be sufficient population
in the Territory during the present gear fo'
the presentation Of another constitution
Moreover am well satisfied that when q
new Congress shall be elected, fairly rep.
resenting the people, and having due res
| pect for their rights, the just claims of the
State of Kansas will be literally acknowl.
edge, and her rejection of the land grants
offered, in connection with a fraudulent
and hateful Constitution, will not be per.
mitted to prejudice her interests, as ar
equal member of the Confederacy, entitled
to all the advantages which have usually
been conferred upon new States, at the
time of entering the Union.
Although / cannot agree with Cover.
nor Walker in saying this measure is in
precise conformity with my views" dc
concur in his opinion that the result o.
! this proceeding, when acted upon by the
people of Kansas and adjudged by ths
people of the Union, will tend 10 the es.
| tablishment of the great doctrine Of pop,
ular sovereignty, and will also rebuk.
| and overwhelm those who have so Ions
and so pertinaciously struggled to depiryi
the people of the Territory of the righ
| to adopt or rejeettheir own Constitu
/ ton. s
But | feel confident that Goyerno
Walker, in stating that the measure wa
in precise conformity with bis views, in
tended only to approve of what he re
garded as the main feature of the bill, tn.
submission of the Constitution to the yot,
of the people. And although he did no
regard the Objectionable details as just
flying his opposition to the measure, h
would certainly condemn and repudiat
them under any other circumstances thai
those attending the passage Of this bill.
In my judgement the difference o
opinion among the Anti-Lscompton Dem
ocra.s as to the details of the measure
ought not to seperate those who hay
heretofore denounced and still oppose tn
Lecompton Constitution.
FRED. P. STANTON