The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-20
Presidents Message.

Bhs Ssnate and House Of Representatives
have received from Mr. Calhoun,
President of the late Constitutional Con-
yeDtion of Kansas, copy, duly certified
by himself of the constitution framed by
that body, with the expression of the hope
that would submit the same to the con-
sidsrstion of Congress, with the view OF
the admission of Kansas into the Union
as an independent State" In compliance
with this request / herewith transmit to
Congress for It's action, the Constitution
of Kansas, with the ordinance respecting
the public lands, as well as the letter Of
Mr Calhoun, dated Lecompton, 14th ult.,
by which they were accompanied. Hav-
ing received but single copy of the Con-
stitution and ordinance, send this to the
Senate.
A great delusion seems to pervade 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 By the question
of slavery, just as we speak of such par
ties in States. This presents no adequate
idea of the state of the case. The divid-
ing line there is not between two politi-
cal parties, both acknowledging the law
full existence of the government; but be-
tween those who are loyal to this govern
ment and those who have endeavored to
destroy its existence by force and usur-
pation-between those who sustain and
those who have done all in their power to
overthrow the Territorial government es-
i tsblished by Congress.
This government they would long since
have subyerted had it not been protected
from assault 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
4 OF Kansas have beenin state Of rebellion
against the government, with a military
leader at their head of most turbulent and
dangerous character. They have never
3 acknowledged, but have constantly re.
nouneed aud defed, the government tc
which they owe allegiance, and have beer
all the time in state of resistance against
j its authority. They have all the time
been endeayoring to subvert it and estab-
lish revolutionary government under the
sO-called Topeka Constitution in its stead
Even at this very moment the Topeks
Legislature are in session. Whoever has
read the correspondence of Gov. Walker
with the State Department, recently com.
municated to the Senate, will be con
yinced that this picture is not overdrawn
4 He always protested against the with
drawal of any portion of the military force
Of the United States from the Territory
deemiRg its presence absolutely necessary
for the preservation of the regular govern.
& ment, and the execution of the laws.
8 In his very first dispatch to the Secre.
tary of State, dated January Cd, 1857, he
i says:
"a most alarming movement, however
proceeds from the assembling of the So
called Topeka Legislature, with the view
to the enactment of an entire code of laws
vi course it will be my endeavor to pre-.
vent such result. as it would lead to an
inevitable and disastrous collision, and, il
fact, renew civil war in Kansas
This was prevented by the efforts o
GoV. Walker, but soon he had to send tt
'eneral Harney to request him to furnish
argument of dragons to proceed to ths
city OF Lawrence, and this for the reason
that ne had received authentic inteili-
gence, verified by his own actual ohserva
ton, that dangerous rebellion had oc.
Cured, involving open defiance of the
laws and the establishment of an insur
gent government in that city.
In the Governors dispatch Of July Is
s ne informs the Secretary of State that
q "The movement in Lawrence was tn
beginning of plan, originating in tina
city, to organize an insurrection through
out the Territory, and especially in al
= the towns, cities and counties where tn
8 republican party have majority. Law
renee is the hot bed of all abolition move
ments In this Territory. It is the towr
established by the abolition societies o
the East. and whilst there are a respec
table number of people there, it is fillet
oy considerable number of mereenaries
who are paid by the abolition societies {,
perpetuate and diffuse agitation through
out Kansas, and prevent the peaceful set
!lement of this question. Having faile,
IN inducing the so-called Topeka Stat
legislature to organize this insurrectiou
lawrence has commenced it herself, an
II not arrested, rebellion will extern
throughout the Territory"
And again -
In order to send this communicate
Immediately by mail, I must close; as
sufing You that the spirit of rebellion PEI
saaes the great mass of the republica
party OF the Territory, instigated, as I en-
.ef'aln no doubt they are, by Eastern SC
.leles, having in view results most disas
.soas to che government and the Unior
M taa 'hat the continual presence of Gre,
nasney is Indispensable, as. was originall
s'puiated by me, with large bedy {
afasoons and several batteries
9n the 10th of July, 1857, Gen. Ian,
uu'. uuaer the authority of the Topeka Con
luton, undertook, as Governor Wake
says -
10 organize the whole Free State pa,
y INTO volunteers, and to take the name
~ a.! who refuse enrolment. The prc
ihs poseI OBJECT was to protect the polls
sre Te election in August of new insurger
,.l IPeAa State Legislature. The object i
m@a ,a@lls the names of all who refuse enrol
rss; r,sas Is to terrify the Free State conse
br SSes ~ into submission. This is prove
m.n - .he recent atrocities committed on sue
( ea,; asa oy the Topekaites. The speedy L
{ b.oh ba.. OF large bodies of regular troor
IT, win two batteries, is necessary
s ,a1e. ~ lawrence insurgents await the d.
81 tion.n VIC Ae" iniii'aty ofSahiz'
he says: eispasen oi July z
~ Lane and his staff everywhers den
eoaa soa authority of the Territorial laws. an
nuns pouassi a total disregard of these enac
without making further quotations