Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-10
TNE RAFTsmAN's JounNAL.

before if in the majority, no man can fore
tell the consequences. Aus sssssi1
If Congress, for the sake of those men
who refused TO vote for delegates to the
convention when they might have exclu-
ded slavery from the constitution. and
who afterwards refused TO vote on the 2lsts
December last, when they might as they
claim, have stricken slavery from the
constitution. should now reject the
State because slavery now remains in
the constitution, it is manifest that the
agitation upon this dangerous subject will
lie renewed IN a more alarming form
than it has ever yet assumed.
Every patriot in the country had inoiui-
ged the hope that the Kansas and Nebras-
ka act would put a final end TO the slave
ry agitation, at least in Congress, which
had for more than twenty years convul-
sed the country and endangered theGnien
This act involved great and fIlndamen-
tai principles, and If fairly carried into eff
feet will settle the question. Should the
agitation be again revived, could the peo-
pie of the sister States be again estranged
from each other with more than their for
nler bitterness, this viii arise from cause,
so far as the interests of Kansas are con-
cerned more trifing and significant than
has ever stirred the elements of great
people into commotion. TO the people of
Kansas the only practical difference be-
| tween admission or rejection, depends
| simply upon the fact whether they can
| themselves mere speedily change the pre-
sent constitution ifit does not accord with
! the will of the majority, or frame second
constitution TO be submitted to Congress
| hereafter Even if this were q question of
mere expedieney, and not of right, the
/ small difference of time, one way or the
other, is not of the least Importance when
contrasted with the evils which must ne
cessarily result to the whole country from
a revival of the slavary agitation.
In considering this question it should
never be forgotten that in proportion to
| its insignificance. let the decision be what
it may, so far as it may affect the few thou
sand inhabitants of Kansas who have from
| the beginning resisted the constitution
| and the laws, for this very reason the re-
lection of the constitution win be so much
the more keenly felt by the people OF four
| teen of the States OF this Union. where
| slavery is recognized under the constitu-
ton of the United States.
| Again The speedy admission of Kansas
into the Union would restore peace and
| quiet to the whole country. Already the
affairs of this Territory have e;grossed an
undue proportion of public attention. They
| have sadly affected the friendly relations
| of the people OF the States with each other,
and alarmed the fears OF patriots for the
| safety of the Union. Kansas once admit
ted into the Union the excitement be-
comes localized, and viii soon die away for
want of outside aliment. Then every diff
| fculty viii be settled at the ballot-box.
Besides-and this is no triiling consid-
eration-I shall then be enabled TO with
draw the troops ofthe United States from
Kansas and employ them on branches of
service where they are SO much needed
| They have been kept there on the earnest
importantly of Governor Walker, to main
tain the existence of the Territorial gov
| 9rnment and secure the execution Of the
| laws. He considered that ut least two
thousand regular troops, under the COM
mand Of General Harvey, were necessary
for this purpose. Acting upon this relia-
bic information, have been Obliged in
| some degree TO Interfere with the expe-
dition to Utah in order to keep down re-
bellion in Kansas. This has involved
very heavy expense to the government
Kansas once admitted, it is believed there
| will no longer be any occasion there for
troops OF the United States.
l have thus performed my duty on this
! important question, under deep sense of
responsibility to God and my country
| My public life viii terminate withina brief
! period; and have no other earthly arnbi-
| ton than To leave my country in a pros
porous condition, and TO live in the affec-
tons and respect of my countrymen.-
| The dark and OMNIBUS clouds which now
| appear TO be impending over the Union
conscienciously believe may be dissipated,
with honor TO every portion of 1t, by the
| admission Of Kansas during the present
| session of Congress: whereas if she should
! be rejected. 1 greatly fear these clouds viii
| become darker and more o,anious. than
| any which have ever yet threatened the
constitution aud the Union.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Ecsiiilgtor. Fe5,a9zg ., 1858.