Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-22
STATEMENT BY GENERAL CALHOUN.
WAsHINGToS CITY, Feb. II, 1883


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STATEMENT BY GENERAL CALHOUN.
WAsHly6Toy CITY Feb. II, 1883.
To tic Editor Of the Union:
Sir: have already communicated TO the commit
tee on Territories in The Senate full statement OF
facts connected with the application Of kansss for
admission into the U0iou as d State. need not re
peat those facts in this paper as they will doubtless
reach the public in few days Ills with reluctance
that refer 10 matters pertaining solely TO the local
politics of the Territory in which live, and with
which, TO soms extent, have been connectedi but
the various ard contradictory statements that have
been made by unscrupulous and Irresponsible letter:
writers the public press touching the discharge OF
my official duties President Of the Constitutional
Convention, make the duty imperative.
Excitement, conflict, and great confusion must no
cesssry attend the organization Of government for
community brought together from all parts OF the
world, aud ac:uated by different offsets motives and
preiudices No Territory ever organized IN The
United States has srfered moro from causes of this
character than Kansas. The conflict about ths
shaping OF our institutions, 80 constantly directed by
ps.sOns and parties outside OF the Territory has forced
within its limits class Of population from every por
ton of the Union, most dissimilar in character and
with the strongest predsposltion to collision That
Gi.ord.r and confusion, the violation ct individual and
public rights and duties, should result from such
causes, may be depored, but could not bs prevented
Good men have sought the peaceful remedy 10 these
controversies in the ballot box. Bad men have been
governed by no scrupes to public private action
10 the periodical addresses put forth by the law and
order or democratic party OF kansaa every foreign
influence has bsen repudiated, and every effort msde
10 procure for Kansas the quiet peaceful! settlement
Of all questions Of public policy by the fair and honest
expression Ut the popular will. To the fullest extent
these recommendations have not probably prevailed
with their own party friends, who, In opposition to
party knowing and respecting no lsw, may have been
driven to the extremity of wrong and the violation Of
public right and duty. Blu. II ID not my object to 20
lotto q full examination of this eutiecI. My object
now is 10 place myself right before the public Oil the
subject of the election returns tor menbera OF the
Legislature in Leavsnworth county, the statements in
reference to which have been so conflicting aud con
Trajectory.
On the 18th of January the day before opened
the returns of the kappss elections for and under the
constitution, was called upon by several gentlemen
from Lawrence, headed by Doctor or Governor Rob.
inson, and asked il would be governed, in dsternin
ing the result Of The election 10 Leavenworth county,
by the sworn statement OF one OF the judges OF cleo
ton nj the precinct known IS the "Delawars Cross.
ing" replied, no. That could not, and would
not 90 behind the election returns. twas then stated
that the question w:s as 10 this legality OF returns
and fraud was charged, on what Information did
not learn upon tho ground that the returns ssnt TO
me not the true returns ID approved and sgned
by the Judges of election To give the full opportu
nifty OF submitting testimony as the Legality OF the
returns told the gentlemen that, as the Legislature
would have duties to perform until alter the 10
cson OF the question OF admission. there could be no
necessity for the immediate Issuance OF certificates OF
election in that or any other and that The diff.
Guilty which they suggested coud IN the mean time,
be- fully Investigated.
Thia statement made the next day in the presence
of the gentlemen who were present at the opening OF
The returns. also authorized Gov. Denver TO state
that if the Judges OF election would furnish me- under
o,th statement that the return made was false and
fraudulent would treat such sateHent as corrected
return and be governed by it in giving certificates OF
election. knew nothing Of the Delaware Crossing re.
Tim r,hl liz Demo
cratic pary majority at that precinct oil some shree or
four hundred supposed the returns from that precinct
were in my office, aud was undeceiVed only when Hi
the returns We're opened and they were not found
These retu.ns OF great Importance as they deter
mned not only the political complexion OF Leaven
worth county, but OF both branches OF the Legsla
ture. As they stood at the opening oil The returns
without the Delaware Crossing vote the republicans
had majority in Leavenworth county, ana conse
ouep,Iy, o msorty Of both branches OF The Legsia
ture.
in order 10 ascertain tina truth sent messenger
to that precinct 10 ses The judges of election, and
learn the facts as the charge OF fraud IN tue return
In the mean time, the sealed returns from mar pre-
cinct were nut into my hands By Mr. Diefendorf ona
of the commissioners for Leavenwo'ih county, and
on Tie same dsy that the messenger returned from
Delaware Crossing precinct. received The returns
and the messengers report at Weston Mhs'nri. on
the 2lst day of January The messsnger Drought 10
ME the following sworn statements OF the Judges and
clerks Of the precinct In question:
TERRITORY OF KANSAS,
County Of Lesvenwortb.
The undersigned, Judges aud cerks OF me election
held for State officers and members OF the Sta's Lee
oi.lature held a; the precinct known as Ds!awsre
Agency, On the fourth day Of January, A. u. 1898.
d. hereby certify ha; the returns made ny US OF SAID
e'ectiOn were correct and genuine aud ina. any
statement made by any person as 10 the vo'e o' salu
precinct only be determined, o. 10 ',s rum or
talsi,y by reference TO sad returns made by ns re
managers and clerk. Of pad election at said precinct.
HSSSp $SS R;s SARnHrr Judges
w. G.. WILSON, 1c,.,.,
JAMES FINDLAY. 0"
TERRITORY OF KASsAs,
County Of johnson.
Before me- Sanl Sal.ers, an acting Justice OF the
peace in and for the county and Territory sinreSsio
personally appeared Isaac Mundsy Theodore F. Gar
re,t. James G. Grner VIM G. Wilson, ard James
FindIsy. who being sworn, depose;h end saith that
the foregoing statement lie true, to the oest OF 'heir
knowledge and belief.
ISAAC MUNDAY,
THEODORE F. GARRETT,
JAMES c. GRlNTER,
w. C. WILSON,
JAMES FINDLAY.
Sworn to aud subscribed bef,re me this eighteenth
day OF January, A. D. 1850.
TERRITORY OF Kansas
County Of johnson.
Before me. Samuel salters, personally appeared
Theodore F Garrett, who, being sworn says that on
the llih day of Jannsry be was arrested In Lsaven'
worth county, under, was said warrant and taken
to Lawrence BY armed party OF ten or eisven snd
while be was under arrest, proposition was made 10
him to make new poll book Iby some one ofthe free
State party in Lawrence, and be thinks by man
named Ewing,) which poll book should be made out,
80 that Genersi Calhoun would reoeive II, ~hich de-
ponent, being in durance, told him or them he sup
posed would be all right.
''' THEODORE F. GARRETT.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this eigh.
teeuth day ct January, 1858.
SAMUEL II. sALTERs, Up.
Ths,s depositiops IMPRESSED my mind fully that the
return. placed tina: day n my hands were true. 90.
:erisiued no particle Of doubt about the result when,
10 the presence of Colonel Starks and Others opened
the returns and found majority of 3's votes for the
democratic party. concluded, 80 matter OF course,