Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-01-02
from the Washington Union.]
letter from the Chief Justice of Kansas.

washington
Letter from the Chief Justice of Kansas.
We call the attention of our readers to the start
ling narrative contained in the following letter. 1t
is no story Manufactured for effect like most of the
Kansas accounts for whose Transmission the black
republicans prostitute the telegraph but plain, I'M
vanished statement of ascertained facts from the
learned and estmabe chief justice Of the Territory
where the events occurred 1t is sickening to read
such record Of lawlessness and rebellion. 1t is
painful to reflect that there respectable citizens
outside of Kansas whose conduct tends directly to
the reproduction of these and to the contnu-
ance of this disgraceful anarchy. The remedy for
: them all-the complete and adequate remedy-we
had almost said the only sufficient remedy-s to be
found, as every one comedies, in the admission OF
Kansas to the Union. Then, beyond all peradven-
ture or dispute, the people Of Kansas would have
absolute control of their domestic affairs. Then
their institutions would be committed TO their own
hands. Then, they would be in the free exercise OF
popular sovereignty Then, the vocation OF Jim
Lane and his banditti crew would be forever ended,
and they could no longer commit robberies and
murder in the sacred name OF I" the majority
Then, Kansas would cease to be word of threat
ening augury to the Union, and its residents would
live in peace in their homes, under the dominion OF
their own laws. When the Lecompton convention
adjourned, was there not good reason to hope for
this bene6cent result? What was the origin of
that convention? There has been some misappre-
hension on this point The convention was not
merely the creature of legislature, but it had the
higher authority of the people. The first territorial
legislature elected in March, 1885, and one OF its
laws provided that the question Of constitutional
convention should be submitted to the people at the
next election in October, 1885, At that time, when
the delegate and the legislature chosen, there
was q distinct vote whether convention should be
called to frame State constitution for the Territory.
The vote was III favor of the convention. 1t in
pursuance Of this vote that the act was passed which
inaugurated the Lecompton convention. The people
had spoken, and the legislature obeyed. The con-
venton, therefore, had not only the legal insignia of
legislative authority, but the unquestonable creden-
tials of the sovereign people themselves. The dele
gates chosen afterwards, at popular election,
which was fairly conducted and then, at the ap-
pointed time, they met in council No respectable
person, outside of party prejudice, ever doubted
their authority. Mr.. Stanton recognized it; Cover
Walker recognized it; and in the democratic
party. at least, there were no voices raised against
it. After anxions elaboration, and some close divi
sions of opinion, the convention made its consttu
ton and adjourned. 1t is admitted that, on the
whole, the constitution is good one and the ques-
ton of slavery was submitted to the people. There
is preence that the election of the 21st instant
was not likely to be fair one and that thus the
great subject which had made the first difficulty in
the Territory could be decided according to the
will of the majority. Was there not good reason to
hope, then, for suspicious adjustment of the Kan
troubles? Was not the President right in antici
pating this settlement? Was he not right in doing
everything within his official power to produce ity
Was he not right, in such critical period to use
renewed efforts to keep the peace in Kansas? Was
he not right to caution the acting governor to pre-
serve the freedom of the election? Was he not
right by circulating part of his message prior even
to its delivery, in inviting the reest suffrage the i'm
portant question submitted? Was he not right, fin
ally in believing that he might soon congratulate
the country upon the final settlement of the Kansas
question, and its fortunate admission State into
the Union by general consent and without a con.
test? If he was land under these circumstances
we think that nearly all his countrymen will agree
that he was) why is it that the very threshold of
peace we have been met by the sounds of war? p
Why is it that at this moment when the opportuni-
ty was offered of closing the Kansas question orev.
er. we should have had the governor of Kansas
turning home, breathing hostility to the convention
and presses in Philadelphia and elsewhere denounc-
ing it, and an eminent senator standing up in his
place in the Senate House and Selling the first pos
sble occasion to echo this denunciat0n, and to join
issue with the message on the subject OF Kansas
In the world of politics. in the other departments
OF Iife however, there supposed to be adequate
motives for every human action and hence it is that
we confess our utter and complete establishment at
the course which has been taken in opposition to the
Lecompt0n convention by some of those on whose
support of it the democI attic party had right to
rely. What their motives for this strange and
unexpected course we do not now inquire. We con-
tent ourselves at present with pointing out to our
readers its most unhappy consequences.
The following letter. written by Chief Justice
Williams, of Kansas, was received in this city yes.
terday:
LEcoMPToN, December Is, 1857
DEAR SIR Having understood that a report of
the recent disturbances which have taken place in
Bourbon county, in the vicinity of Fort Scott is Cir
cuated, and assumed as true by persons who, per-
haps, are interested to give such complexion to them
m hnCf Srpiff hn1r
the violators of law and dsturbers of the public
peace, have deemed it proper that impart to you,
and others who should be correctly informed through
you, my knowledge of the facts as they truthfully
exist, in relation to the cause of these doings.
In reference to the rumor that the disturbance
George W. Clarke to enforce by legal process, the
collection of taxes in Bourbon county," can conf
IDENTIFY assert that it is positively untrue There has
been no difficulty on that subject whatever. Be-
Sides Gen Clarke has never had anything to do with
that matter Since his arrival at Fort Scott, and
residence there be has been quietly and assiduousy
attentive to his official duties as an assistant in the
registers department of the land Office, without in
Eerfering With any other business except such as
might appertain 10 his domestic concerns-himself
and disturbing nobody. This know,
having lived but two doors .om him in Fort Scott,
md having seen him every day during the last sum.
ner and fall up to last week, when left home to |
ome to this place to be in attendance upon the bus
ness Of the Supreme Court
The matter which is seized upon by some lawless
persons for political purposes is as follows: Last
hummer party of men, from the nefghborhood of
lawrence or Leavenworth, appeared in the vicinity
u Fort Scott; some on the valley Of the Marmaton
liver, and others of them on the Usage; and pre-
Fious to the fall election others arrived and depot
u ready made clothing established at con.
1enient point for their benefit and use The cloth
ng was dealt out by person who acted as agent in
me matter These persons all seemed to act in con.
'ert- The first move made by them of violent kind
vas by force and arms, with threats to drive from
,'s cabin and claim an aged man of the name of
with his family. This they did, warning
linn to leave the Territory and at the same time ap
'ropri.ting bis claim, house, crops &C., to their own
,se At the fall term of the court for the Sd judicial
1srct this matter was presented by the grand jury,