Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-01-01


is. Washington, December y, 1891
JAMES w. DENVER sso., Stc,tf5ry and
.dciiag Governor Of Aopsas Territory:
Sin: You have already been informed
that Mr.. Starton has been removed from
the Office of Secretary Of the Territory Of
Kansas, and that YOU have been appointed
in his place. desire now to state to You
distinctly the reason Of this change. The
Convention which met at Lecompton on the
LIST Of September had framed constitution,
and bad authorized its President to submit
the question to tho people Of Kansas on the
2ist Of Dec. whether this constitution should
be adopted with or without slavery. The i'm
portance Of the issue cnnl1 not well be over
estimated. 1t involved tho complete and
authoritative settlement of tho only subject
Of difference which ha | seriously agitated
Kansas or intcrfcrcd with its prosperity
The qualified electors, therefore, to whom
this settlement was referred, not only had
an unquestionablc right to attend at the
polls and give their votes on the day ap-
pointed, but they were required TO do soby
the highest onsiierations of public duty.
In the exercise of this right, moreover, they
were entitled to adequate protection by the
Territorial Government, and the Acting
Governor was bound to employ all legal
means at his command to give security and
fairness to the election. With the conflict
ing opinions which prevailed in the Ter
ritory on the question submitted, he had
no right to interfere. They had their
appropriate issue Mt the ballot-box, and TO
that peaceful arbtrament they might safely
be referred. The great objects to be accom-
plished in the opinion of tho President,
were to preserve the peace of the Territory
and secure freedom in the election. Enter
tanning these views, ho was surprised to-
learn that the Secretary and Acting Cover
nor, had on the first Of December, issued
his proclamation for special session of the
Territorial Legislature on the 7th inst, on
" few weeks in advance of its regular
time of meeting, and only fourteen days
before decision was TO be made on tho
question submitted hy the Convention
The course of Mr.. Stanton, the President
seriously believes, has thrown new elc-
ment Of tlis,ord among the excited people
Of Kansas, and it is directly at war, there
fore, with the peaceful policy of the Admin
istration For this reason he has felt it his
duty TO remove him.
From these views you will readily under
stand what the President regards as the
chief dnty which doyolves upon YOU as Mr..
Stauton's successor. This duty Is to pre-
serve peace in Kansas. Every person cnti-
tied to vote on the constitution ought to
have free access to the polls, and to be free
from any restraints whatever in the exercise
the elective franchise.
If the civil power is found insufficient for
this purpose tho troops Of tho United
States should be employed in the.aid of it,
and it may be a wise precaution to have
them stationed, in advance, within reach Of
those places where, in your judgement, their
services are likely to be required. 1t
is earnestly hoped that the use of the
military power may be wholly avoided
Violence is alwas less likely to occur when
the means are known to be at hand for its
prompt suppression. Should the military
force become absolutely necessary to keep
the peace, you will find full instructions with
reference to the proper mode of employing
il in my communications to Gov. Walker of
March % July 25 and Sept. 2. 1857, and
in those subsequently written to MIR. Stan
ton. Of these last, that of Nov. 80 was ta-
ken to Kansas by you, and you had copy
of it. All Of them will doubtless be
found in tho archives of the Governor at
Lecompton. They refer prominently to the
preservation of the peace of several impor-
tant electons--but / need hardly inform
you that your duty is not intended to be
confined to those special occasions. 1t ex-
tends of course, to the protection of all citi-
gems in the exercise Of their just rights, and
applies to one legal election as well rs to
another The Territorial Legislature doubt
less convened on tho 9TH inst, and while it
remains in session its members are entitled
TO be secured and free in their deliberations.
Its rightful action must also be respected
Should it authorize an election by the peo-
pie for any purpose, this election should be
held without interruption no less than those
authorized by the Convention. While the
peace of the Territory is preserved and free
dom of election is secured, there necd be no
disastrous consequences.
The public journals contain reports of an
intended movement by portion Of the res
idents of Kansas to organize a revolutionary
government under the Topeka Con 'titution
1t is hardly probable that this report can be
well founded, but should tho attempt be
made, and lead to practical collision with
the Territorial authorities, the authority of
the government must necessarily he main
tainod, and from whatever quarter it IS at
tempted to interfere by violence with the
IL 4 l.. al.