Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-05

unanimous demand called upon me as the act
ing Governor to convene an extra session Of
the Legislature, in order to enable them
peaceably to protect themselves against
the wrongs evidently contemplated by
the adoption of this constitution. There
was no law to punish frauds in cleo
ton returns. The people were intense
ly excited; and it was the opinion of the cool
est men in the Territory that, without a call of
the Legislature. the elections under the con-
stitution could not have taken place without
collision and bloodshed. The meeting of the
Legislature diverted the attention of the peo-
pie from the schemes of violence upon which
they were brooding, substituted the excite
ment of debate and investigation for that of
fierce and warlike hatred. and enabled their
representatives. 10 devise means for counteract-
ing the wrong which they justly apprehended.
Recent events have shown that their appre
tensions were well founded Enormous frauds
have been perpetrated at the precincts OF On
ford, Shawnee, and kickapoo; and ii may well
be believed that this result actually de-
signed by the artful leader who devised the
plan and framework of the Lecompton Con-
stituton. l have lately been mt Shawnee, and
| have seen and conversod with persons who
were at Oxford on the day of election. The
frauds committed are notorious; and though
dishonest persons may deny them, and may
fll the channels of public information with
can be cay established beyond all contro-
versy.
1t was to enable the people to shield them
selves from these frauds and to give legal eX-
preston to their hatred and rejection of the
instrument which permitted them, and was TO
be carried by them, that l called the Legisla-
ture together.
In my judgment the people had fair claim
to be heard on this subject through their Leg
.Iat,, rhr.c 10 not dbl TO no
discretion of converting that body in extra
session. The President of the United States
had no rightful authority to exercise that dis
erection for me- He had the power of removal,
and such control as that power gives him.
But | would cheerfully have submitted to re-
mOval and consequent loss of favor with the
| President, rather than occupy the position of
| Governor and refuse to the people an oppor-
| tunity to assert their most essential rights,
and 10 protect themselves against the basest
| frauds and wrongs ever attempted upon an
outraged community.
| Not having been informed of the grounds
of my removal, | know them only through
the newspaper reports to the effect that III cal
ling the Legislature, disobeyed the instruc-
tons OF the President. | had no instructions
bearing on the subject, and there was no time
to obtain them, even if | had felt bound to
substitute the Presidents will for that dscre-
ton which the organic act cOniided to me.
The convening of the Legislature undoubtedly
prevented difficulty and secured peace. Were
it important, | am confident | could establish
this position by the most indisputable facts;
but it is sufficient now to say that the peace
of the Territory was not in fact disturbed, and
whatever approaches were made towards such
result were wholly attributed to the policy
of the Administration in censuring my acts
and removing me from Office.
The measure for which | have been uniustly
condemned has enabled the people of Kansas
To make known their will iii regard TO the
Lecompton Constitution. This affords the
Democratic party an opportunity to defend the
true principles of constitutional liberty, and
to save itself from disastrous division and
utter overthrow If Congress Will heed the
voice Of the people and not force upon them
government which they have rejected by
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 Conf deracy. The
Southern States, which are supposed to have
a deep interest in the matter will he saved
from the supreme folly Of standing up in de-
fence of so wicked and dishonest a continuance
as the Lecompton constitution. The moral
power of their position will not be weakened
by vain and useless defence of wrong, when
it is perfectly certain they will gain nothing
even 10y success in the present attempt.
The extra session of the Kansas Legislature
has done good, also, by giving means to expose
and punish the monstrous frauds which have
been pCrpetrated, and doubtless, also, by pre-
venting others which would have been at
tempted. 1t has driven the guilty miscreants
engaged in them to become fugitives from JUS
ticc, and has rendered it impossible for the
peace of the Territory hereafter TO be endan-
gcrcd by similar occurrences.
In view these facts and results, / willingly
Il
dismissal from office, but | appeal 10 the de
liberate Judgment of the people to determine
whether | have not chosen the only honorable
course which the circumstances allow me to
pursue. FRED. i. STANTON.
Washington, Jan. 20, 1888.