Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-02
MIR. Stnuton-s Address.

Mr.. T. Z. Stanton. late Secretary and
Acting Governor of tie Territory Of Kansas,
has issued an address to the People OF the
United States, in relation to the affairs of the
Territory, and his own action whilst in
office. The following is the conclusion Of
the address -
Enormous frauds have heen perHetratei
at tue precincts Of Oxford, ohawnee, and
kickapDO and it may veil be believed that
this result was actually designed by the art.
lul leaders VINO devised the plan ana frame
work of the LacUmpfUu Constitution.
have lately been at ShaNnec, and | have
seen aud consersed with persons who were
a; Ozfprd un the day q! election. The
frauds Committed are notorious; and though
dishonest pe!sJus may deny them, and may
I'll, the caaunel, OF public iLlorma,iJn with
shameless representations 10 the contrary,
tnes eau be easily established beyond ali
controversy.
|; Was to enable The people to shield them
selves rvu these frauds aud 10 give Legal
express On to their hatred and rejection Ui
the instrument which permitted them, ana
WAS to be carried by them, that | called the
Legislature together.
In my judgment, the people had fair
claim to te heard on this subject through
their legislature Tie organic ACT contided
t. me the discretion OF conyculn2 taat cody
! in extra session. The President ui the Uni
ted States mad no rlghtlui authority 10 cxer-
c!ss that discretion tor me. lie had tue
power OF removal, AID such cDLtrul - tnat
power gives MIN. But | wOu.G cheertully
have submlt.e ed to removal aud Consequent
loss of favor with the President, Father than
| occupy the position OF Governor aud refuse
to the people an opportunity " assert their
mrs! essential rights, and II protect them
selves against the basest frauds and wrongs
ever attempted upon an outraged community.
Not having been informed vi the grounds
of nv removal, | know them only Through
the newspaper reports, TO the effect that, 10
calling the Legislature, | dIsObeysd the 1T
structiUns Of tue President. | mad 10 H.
structiOns bearing Oh thc subject, aui there
was TO time ~ OBTAIN them, even II | had
icit bound u substitute the PrcsIdents Will
for that discretion which the organic act con
hdea 70 me. The cJDyenlmg Of tie Legisla
ture undoubtedly prevented difficulty and
secured peace. Were ii important, | am
confident ! could establish this position by
the most ludubltable facts; but 1t Is sufficient
now 10 say that the peace Of the Territory
was not III fact disturbed, and whatever az
proaches were made towards such a result
were wholly attributable TO tue policy OF tue
Administration 10 ceusurIng my acts and
removing me from othce.
The measure tor which | have been un-
Justly cOndcuinrd mas enabled the people OF
Kansas II make known their real will IN re-
gard to the Lecomptou Constitution. TINS
affords the Democratic patty aa opportunity
to defend the true principles Of constitutions
al libercy, and to save itself from disastrous
division and utter overthrow. /! Congress
Will heed the voice Ot the people and not
force upon them government which tacy
have rejected by vote OF four 10 one, the
whole country will be satisfied, and Kansas
will quietly settle her own affairs without
the least difficulty and without any danger
10 the Coniederacv. The Southern States,
which are supposed to nave deep interest
in the mater, will he saved from the ~
premc folly Of standing up IN defence OF 50
wicked and dishonest cVntTIyaBce as the
Lccompton q nsifution. The moral power
Of their position will not be " akened BY
vain aud useless defence Of wrong, when 1t
is perfectly certain they vii. gain uotninG
eyeu by success in the preseCt attemit.
The extra session Of the Kansas Leglsla-
ture has done good, also, by giving means TO
expose and punish the monstrOus frauds
which have been perpetrated, and Doubtless,
also, by preventing others which would have
been attempted. 1t has driven the guilty
miscreauts engaged in them to become tu-i-
tiyes from justice, aud has rendered 1t in
possible Tor the peace Of the Territory here
after to be endangered by similar occur
rences.
In view Of these facts and results. | vii
lingly accept the rohukc conveyed IN my
peremptory dismissal from Office. but l az
peal to the deliberate judgment Of the people
TO determine whether have not chosen Tie
only honorable course which the crcum5tan-
ces allowed me to pursue.
FRED. p. STANTON.
WASHINGTON, January -, 1873.