M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-02-11
Presidents Message.

dent OF the late Constitutional Convention
of Kansas, a copy, duly certified by himself,
of the Constitution framed by that body,
with the expression Of the hope that | would
submit the same to the consideration OF Con-
gress, "with the view Of the admission OF
Kansas into the Union as an independent
State" In compliance with this request, |
herewith transmit to Congress for its action
the Constitution Of Kansas, with the odi'
mace respecting the public lands, as well as
the letter Of Mr.. Calhoun, dated Lecompton,
the 18th ullimo, by which they were accom-
panied. Having received hut single copy
of the Constitution and ordinance, | send
this to the Senate.
A great delusiOn seems to peUade the pub
lie mind IN relation to the condition OF par
ties in Kansas. This arises from the diff
Guilty Of inducing the American people to
realize the fact that any portion of them
should be in a state of rebellion against the
government under which they live. When
we speak of the affairs Of Kansas, we are apt
to refer merely to the existence OF two violent
political parties in that Territory, divided by
the question of slavery, just as we speak Of
such parties in States, This presents no ad.
equate idea of the state ofthe case The di-
viding line there is not between two politi-
cal paties, both acknowledging the lawful
existence of the Government, but between
those who are loyal 20 this Government and
those who have endeavored to destroy its ex-
istence by force and surpatiOn-betweep
those who sustain and those who have done
oil in their power TO overthrow the Terrific
rial Government established by Congress-
This Government they would long since have
subverted, had it not been Otected from as.
saults by the troops Of the United States
Such has been the condition OF affairs since
my Inauguration. Ever since that period a
large portion of the people Of Kansas have
been in a state of rebellion against Govern
ment, with a military leader at their head,
of most turbulent and dangerous character
They have never acknowledged, but have
constantly renouncel and denied the Gov
eminent to which they owe allegiance, and
have been all ihe time iii state OF resistance
against its authority. They have all the time
been endeavoring to subverl it, and establish
revolutionary government under the social
ed Topeka Constitution in its stead, Even
at this very momen: the Topeka Legislature
are in session. Whoever has read the cor.
respondence of Governor Walker with the
State Department, recently communicated to
the Senate, will be convinced that this pic.
ture is not oyerdrawn. He always protested
against the withdrawal ofany portion of the
military forces of the United States from the
Territory, deeming its presence absolutely
necessary for the preservation OF the regular
government and the execution Of the laws. -
In his very first dispatch to the Secretary OF
State dated June ., 1857, he says. "a
most larming movement, however, proceeds
from the assembling of the so called Topeka
Legislature, with the view to the enactment
OF an entire code of laws. 0fcomse, it will
be my endeavor to prerent such result as
would lead TO an inevitable and disastrous
collision, and in fact renew civil war in Kan
sas." This was prevented by the efforts OF
Governor Walker, but soon he had TO send to
General Harney to request him to furnish a
regiment uf dIugUuns W proceed TO tie CITY
of Lawrence, and this for the reason that he
had received authentic intelligence, verified
by his own actual observation, that dan
gerous rebellion had occurred, involving open
defiance OF the laws, and the establishment
of an insurgent government in that city. In
the Governor sdispatch Of July %, he informs
the Secretary Of State that "the movement in
Lawrence was the beginning of plan, orig.
mating in that city, 10 organize an insurrec-
tion throughout the Territory, and especially
in all the towns, cities and counties where
the Republican party have q majority. Law
renee is the hOt.bed of all Abolition move
ments in this Territory. 1t is the town
established by the Abolition Societies of the
East, and while there are a respectable num-
Der of people there, it is iilleJ by consider
able number Of mercenaries, who are paid by
the Abolition Societies to perpetuate and
diifuse agitation throughout Kansas, and
prevent the peaceful settlement OF this ques-
ton. Having failed in inducing their own
50 called Topeka State Legislature to organ
ize this insuuection, Lawrence has com
menced it herself; and if not arrested, rebel.
lion will extend throughout the Territory"
Aud again. "In order 10 send this commu-
nicatiOn Immediately by mail, must close;
assuring you that the spirit Of rebellion per-
vades the great mass Of the Republican party
in this Territory, instigated, as entertain no
doubt they are, by Eastern Societies, having
in view results most disastrous to the Gov
eminent and the Union; and that the contin.
ued presence Of General lamey is ndispen.
sable. as was originally stipulated by me,
with large body Of Dragons and several
batteries"
On the goth OF July, 1857, General Lane,
under the authority of the Topeka Conyen-
ton, undertook, as Governor Walker says
"to organize the whole Free State party into
volunteers, and to take the names Of all who
refused enrolment. The proposed object
was to protect the polls at the election in
August of new insurgent Topeka State
Legislature. The object in taking the NAMES
OF all whu refused enro llnlsnti is to terriiy the
Free State Conservatives into submissiOn.-
This is proved by the recent atrocities CON-
mitted on such men by the Topekaites. The
speedy location Of large bodies of regular
troops here, with two batteries, is necessary.
The Lawrence insurgents await the develop
ments Of this new military organization"
in the Governors dispatch OF June 81, he
saws: "Lane and his staff everywhere deny
the authority of the Territorial laws, and
counsel a total disregard of these enact
ments."
Without making further quotations Of
similar character from other dispatches Of
Governor Walker, it appears, by reference to
Secretary SantOn's communication to Gen.
Cass, on the 9Th of December last, that the
important step of calling the Legislature to-
oether was tsk ken after Governor Walker had