Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-02-12

previously denounced Governor Walker for the
suggestion Ia his inaugural address, and in bis
Topeka speech, that the Constitution should be
s'ibmittee to all the bona fie inhabitsnts, al !.
though he invariably stated, when asked for
explanation, that some reasonable length of
residence ought to be required, as evidence of
the bonn tide character Of inhabitancy.
1t was apparent that all the machinery had
been artfully prepared for repetition of gross
frauds, similar to those which had been attenpt-
ed IN October; and it was in view Of all these
facts, sitter the adjournment Of the Convention,
that the people of the Territory, By an almost
unanimous demand, called upon me. as the act
Ing d0Veruor, to convene an extra session Of
The Legislature, lp order to enable them peace
ably to protect themselves against ihe wrongs
evidently contemplated blythe adoption of this
Constitution. There was no law TO punish frauds
IN election returns. The people were intensely
excited; and Il was the opinion Of the coolest
men in the Territory, that, without cali Of
the Legislature, the elections under the Con-
stitution could not have taken place without
collision and blooeshed.. The meeting of the
Legislature diverted the attention Of the people
from the schemes of violence upon which they
were brooding, substituted the excitement Of
debate and investigation for that Of fierce aud
warlike hatred, and enabled their represenia-
tives to devise means for counteracting the
wrongs which they justly apprehen1.
Recent events have shown that their appre-
hensiou were well founded. Enormous frauds
have been perpetrated at the precincts of OK
ford. Shawnee, and Kickapoo aud it may we'll
hf,h hali ia IL.
ed BY the artfui leaders who devised the plan
and framework of the Lecompton Constitution.
have lately been at Shawnee, and have seen
and converSed with persons who were al Oxf0ri
on .he day of election The frauds committed
are notorious; anl though dishonest persons
may deny them, and may fll the channels of
public information with shameless representa-
tons TO the coatrarY, they eau be easily estab-
iisaet beyond ali controversy.
lt.sas to enable the people TO shield them
selves from these frauds, aud to gave legal ex-
preston to their hatred and rejection of the in
~frnment which permitted them, and was to be
carried by them, that called the Legislature
together.
Il my Judgment, the people had fair claim
81 b heard on this subject through their Legis-
dssttse. Tho I4uie eaaIfiAols 20. .a44as 10
discretion of cnnvening that body in extra ses-
sion. The President of the United States had
no rightful authority TO exercise that discretion
for me. He had the power Of removal, and
such control as that power gives him. Bat /
would eheerfuly have submitted to removal, and
consequent loss Of favor with the President,
rather than occupy the position OF Governor,
and refuse to the people an opportunity to as
seri their most essential rights, aud TO protect
themselves against the basest frauds aad wrongs
ever attempted upon au outraged community.
Not having been informed of the grounds OF
ny removal, know them ouly through the news
paper reports, TO che effect that, in calling the
Legislature, disobeyed the Instructions of the
President | had no instructions bearing on
the subioct,and there was time to obtain thenl,
even if | had felt bound to substitute the Pres
ideut's will for that discretion which the organ
ie act confded to me. The converting of the
Legislature undoubtedly prevented difficulty
and secured peace. Were it important, aal
confident | could establish this position by the
most indubitabe facts; but It is sufficient now
TO say that the peace of the Territory was not
in fact disturbed, aud whatever approaches were
made towards such result were wholly attri-
butable t. the policy Of the Administration IN
censurug my acts and removing me from Of
fee.
The measures foI which have baea uniustly
condemned has enabled the people Of Kansas to
make known their real viii in regard to the Le
compton Constitution. This affords the Dem
ocratic party an opportunity to defend the true
principles of constitutional liberty, and TO save
itself from disastrous division anu ntter over
throw. II Congress viii heed the voice OF the
people, and not force upon them Government
which they have rejected by a vote Of four to
one, the whole country will be satisfied, ard
Kansas viii quietly settle her own affairs, with
out the least difficulty and without any danger
to the Confederacy. The Southern States, (which
are supposed to have deep interest in the mat
ter, viii be saved from the supreme folly OF
standing up in defence Of so wicked and dishon-
est contrieance as the Lpcompton 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 noth-
ing even by success in the present attempt.
The extra session Of the Kansas Legislature
has done good, also, by giving means TO expose
beeu perpeErated, and doubtless, also, by pre-
venting others which would have been attempt-
ed Il has driven the guilty iniscreants enga-
ged in them to become tugitiyes from justice,
and has rendered it impossible for the peace Of
the Territory hereafter to be endangered by SIM
liar occurrences.
In view of these facts aud results, | wiling
" accept the rebuke conveyed ia my peremp-
tory dismissal from office, but appeal to the
deliberate Judgment of the people TO determine
whether have not chosen the only honorable
course which the circumstances allowed me to
pursue. FRED. 7. STANTON.
Washington, Jan. 20, 1858.
Some brilliant genius has conceived the idea
to press all the lawyers into military service 10
case of war-because their charges are SO great