Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-02-12
u olititaI.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
ON THE
Proposed Constitution for Kansas.


l have received from j. Calhoun, Esq.
President of the late Constitutional Con-
vention of Kansas, copy, duly certified
by himself, of the constitution framed
by that body, with the expression of
hope that | would submit the same to the
consideration of Congress, with the
view of the admission of Kansas into
the Union as an independent State"
In compliance with this request, l
herewith transmit to Congress, for their
action, the constitution of Kansas, with
the ordinance respecting the public lands,
as well as the letter of Mr.. Calhoun,
dated at Lecompton Cd the 18th ultimo,
by which they were accompanied. Hav-
ing received but single copy of the
constitution and ordinance, I send this
to the Senate.
A great delusion seems to pervadc the
public mind in relation to the condition
of parties in Kansas. This arises from
the difficulty of inducing the American
people to realize the fact that any portion
of them should be in 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 on the
question of slavery, just as we speak of
such parties in the States. This presents
no adequate idea of the true state of the
case. The dividing line there is not be-
tween two political parties, both ac-
knowledgiug the lawful existence of the
government, but between those who are
loyal to this government, and those who
have endeavored to destroy its existence
by force and by usurpation--between those
who sustain and those who have done all
in their power to overthrow the Terrific
rial government established by Congress.
This government they would long since
have subverted, had it not been protected
from their assaults by the troops Of the
United States.
Such has been the condition of affairs
since my Inauguration. Ever since that
period large portion of the people of
Kansas have been in a state of rebellion
against the Government, with military
leader at their head of most turbulent
and dangerous character. They have
never acknowledged, but have constantly
renowned and defed the Government to
which they owe allegiance, and have
been all the time in state of resistance
against its authority. They have all the
time been cndeavoring to subvert it, and
to establish revolutionary government
under the so-called Topeka constitution,
in its stead. Even at this very moment
the Topeka Legislature are in session.
Whoever has read the correspondence
of Gov Walker with the State Depart
ment, recently communicated to the SEN
ate, will be convinced that this picture
is not overdrawn. He always protested
against the withdrawal of any portion of
the military force of the United States
from the Territory, deeming its presence
absolutely necessary for the preservation
Of the regular government and the exc
cution of the laws. In his very first des-
patch to the Secretary of State, dated
June 2, 1857, he says:
The most alarming movement, how
ever, proceeds from the assembling, on
the the 9th of June, of the so-called
Topeka Legislature, with view to the
enactment of an entire code of laws
Of course, it will be my endeavor to pre-
vent such result, as it would lead to
inevitable and disastrous collision, and,
in fact, renew the civil war in Kansas"
This was with difficulty prevented by the
efforts Of Gov. Walker; but soon there
aftcr-on the 18th of July-we ind him
requesting Gen. Harvey to furnish him
a regiment of dragons, to proceed to
the city of Lawrence; and this for the
reason that he had received authentic in
telligence, verified by his own actual OBJ
servation, that dangerous rebellion had
occurred, Involving an open defiance of
the laws, and the establishment of an in
surgent government in that city"
In the Governors despatch of July
10th, he informs the Secretary Of State
I" that this movement at Lawrence was
the beginning of a plan, originating in that
city, to organize instruction through
out the Territory; and especially in all
towns, cities, or counties where the Re-
publican party have majority. Law
renee is the hot-bed Of all the Abolition
movements in this Territory. 1t is the
town established by the Abolition socie-
ties Of the East, and, whilst there are
respectable people there, it is filled by
considerable number Of mercenaries who
are paid by Abolition societies to perpet-
uate and diffuse agitation throughout
Kansas, and prevent peaceful settle
ment Of this question Having failed in
inducing their own so-called Topeka
State Legislature to organize this insur-
rection, Lawrence has commenced it her
self, and, if not arrested, the rebellion
will extend throughout tho Territory"
And again: "In order to send this
communication Immediately by mail, |
must close by assuring you that the
spirit Of rebellion pervades the great mass
of the Republican party of this Terrific
ry, instigated, as / entertain no doubt
they are, by Eastern societies, having in
view results most disastrous TO the Gov
eminent and to the Union; and that the
continued presence Of Gen. Harvey here
is indispensable, as originally stipulated
by me, with a large body Of dragons
aud ea,o..t ln.to.:1. -