The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-02-18

nation with shameless representations to
the contrary, they can be easily established
beyond all controversy.
1t was to enable the people to shield
themselves from these frauds, and to give
legal expression to their hatred and re-
lection of the instrument which permitted
them, and was to be carried by them, that
| called the Legislature together.
In my judgment. the people had fair
claim to be heard on the subject through
their Legislature. The organic act con-
fded to me the discretion of convening
that body in extra session The Presi-
dent of the United States had 10 rightful
authority to exercise that discretion for
me. He had the power of removal, and
such control as that power gives him.
But would cheerfuly have submitted to
removal, and consequent loss of favor
with the President, rather than occupy
the position of Governor and refuse to
the people an opportunity to assert their
most essential rights, and to protect them
selves against the basests frauds and
wrongs ever attempted upon an outraged
community.
Not having been informed of the ground
of my removal, l know them only through
the newspaper reports, to the effect that
in calling the Legislature, disobeyed
the instructions of the President. l bad
no instructions bearing on the subject,
and there was no time to obtain them, e.
ven if bad felt bound to substitute the
| Presidents will for that discretion which
the organic act conided to me. The con-
vening of the Legislature undoubtedly
prevented difficulty and secured peace
Were it itimportant, | am confident could
establish this position by the most indubi-
table facts; but it is sufficient now to say
that the peace of the Territory vas not
in fact disturbed, and whatever approach.
es we're made towards such result were
wholly attributable to the policy of the
Administration in censuriDg my acts and
removing me from Office
The measure for which | have been un-
justly condem ned has enabled the people
of Kansas to make known their real will
in regard to the Lecompton Constitution.
This affords the Democratic party an op-
portunity to defend the true principles Of
constitutional liberty, and to save itself
from disastrous division and utter over.
throw. If Congress will heed the voice
of the people and not force upon them
Government which they have rejected by
a vote of four to one, the whole country
will be satisfied, and Kansas will quietly
settle her own affairs without the least
difficulty, and without any danger to the
Confederacy. The Southern States, which
are supposed to have a deep interest in
the matter, will be saved from the su-
preme folly of standing up in defence of
so wicked and dishonest contrivance as
the Lecompton Constitution. The moral
power Of their position will not be weak
ened by vain and useless defence of
wrong, when it is perfectly certain they
will gain nothing even by success in the
present attempt.
The extra session of the Kansas Legis-
lature has done good, also, by giving
means to expose and punish the mons
trous frauds which have been perpetrated
and doubtless, also, by preventing others
which would have been attempted. 1t
has driven the guilty miscreants engaged
in them to become fugitives from justice,
and it has rendered it impossible for the
peace of the Territory hereafter to be en-
dangered by similar occurrences.
In view Of these facts and results, |
willingly accept the rebuke conveyed in
my perenptory dismissal from office, but
| appeal to the deliberate judgment of
the people to determine whether l have
not chosen the only honorable course
which the circumstances allowed ne to
pursue.
FRED P. STANTON.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 90 1858