New-York daily tribune., 1858-03-02
THE POSITION OF cor. HALKER.

The following letter from the Hon. Robert j. Walker
TO the Anti-Lecompton Democratic Convention held in
Indianapolis on the 22d inst, did not appear in the
regular report of the proceedings but has since been
published. 1t will put to rest all doubts concerning
Gov. Walkers position:
WAsHISGToS Feb 20, 1853.
AUSTIN II. BRowS esq, Chairman as.
SIR: Your letter in behalf of tho Committee, inviting
me to address the mass meeting of the Democracy Of
Indiana on the 23d Of this month at Indianapolis has
been received. 1t would have given sincere
pleasure to have complied with your request, but on
the Oath of this month of my most important cases,
now pending in the Supreme Court of the United States
is set down for argument, and cannot be absent on
that occasion.
The power of Congress to admit new States into the
Uuion has heretofore at various periods, been fully
discussed by me. This power of admission most
clearly implies the previous consent of the people Of
the nchoste State, not only by the very terms but
required by the fundamental principles Of Govern
men,. Indeed presume it will hardly be cOntended
that Congress possess any power to force the people of
a State into the Union against their will. The Union
is composed of confederacy of coequa sovereguties
and each must have freely entered into the Federal
compact. BY the people of State, under our Fed.
era Constitution, always intended the majority of
the Union, always indicate their previous assent by
the adoption of a State Constitution.
My own opinion, as heretofore often expressed, dis
tipcty repeated in my letter of acceptance Of the
Goverrorship Of Kansas, and reiterated in my inau
gural address that the ent of the people to
their Constitution only properly be ascerained by
a direct popular vote for or against its adoption. In
deed in what otherwsy can i ever be known that the
people would have assented to the Constitution unes
they are peinttedto to vote for against its adoption
The Prerident, in his message of December last ad
mts this must be done as regards the question OF
Slavery as regulated bya State Constitution although
he comedies that his instructions to me as regards the
submission Of the Constitution were general and
unqualified II is NEST unfortunate that such an
opinion had remained long dormant IN the breast OF
the President for, the slightest suggestion to that
effect had been made to me, is quite evident from
my lifelong opinions this very point, so often and
distinctly expressed repeated in my letter of accept
ance OF the GovernoTship Of Kansas and reiterated
In my inaugural address, that such conditions
never would have gone 10 Kansas
1t Is true that the President in his Message most
frankly comedies, not only that his instructions to
as regards the submission Of the Constitution were
general ana unqualified but also that he then sup
posed that the Constitution itself would have been
submitted TO the vote of the people and that in his
judgment this ought TO have been done. But never
teless, his Message of December last 10 nv surprise
and astonishment first developed the astounding fact
that the President considered that nothing but the
Slavery question WAS required to be submitted 70 the
vote of the people do not mean TO charge the
Chief Magistrate of our country with yillful decep-
ton on this question: but this do say as indicated
by my lifelong opinions, published again and again,
repeated il my letter of acceptance reiterated in INV
inaugural address and various dispatches that the
President and all his Cabinet well knew my opinions
ON tbs subject and that rever would have gone to
Ksreas except upon the condition Of advocating the
subuissio OF the Constitution for ratification re-
;ection 10 vote f the people. This, with mo, was
vital question, enbody'ng ee only 'alr Hsi peaceful
and al me- cd cf Sftc5 re dfhc utle- !"
kauss.,