Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-08

with the federal army and civil war must !
have ensued, throughout the Union. In
deed the whole idea of an inaugural adj
dress originated in the alarming intell-
gence which had reached Washington
city of incipient rebellion in Kansas
This instruction was rendered more for
midable on my reaching the Territory
by the near approach and assembling OF
revolutionary State Legislature, and the
very numerous mass conventions by |
which it was sustained. In truth l had |
to choose between arresting that insur-
rection, at whatever cost of American
blood, by the federal army, or to prevent
the territ lie catastrophe as I did, by my
pledges 10 the people, of the exertion of
all my power to obtain fair election and
submission of the constitution to the
vote of the people for certifcation or re-
lection.
"My inaugural and other addresses
were therefore really in the nature of
proclamations so often issued by the
Presidents and Governors, with view
to prevent, as they did in this case, civil
war and instruction.
"Now, by my oath of office / was
sworn to support the Constitution of the
United States, which / have sworn, in
my Judgment, required the submission of
the vote to the people. l was sworn also
to take care that the Kansas and Nebras-
ka bill should be faithfully executed,
which bill, in my judgment, as heretofore
stated, required that the Constitution
, should be submitted to the vote of the
people-and was, therefore, only per-
: forming a solemn duty, when as Govern
= or of the Territory, to whose people my
D first obligations were due, 1 endeavored
to secure them these results.
"The idea entertained by some that |
should see the Federal Constitution and
q Kansas-Nebraska bill overthrown and
: disregarded, and that, playing the part OF
: pantomime of ruin, should acquiesce
g by my silence, in such a result, especial
4 ly where such acquiescence involved, as
D an immediate consequence, a disastrous
q and sanguinary civil war, seems to me
= preposterous. Not a drop of blood has
,e been shed by the federal troops in Kan
1t sas during my administration, but insur
E. rection and civil war, extending, l fear
it throughout the country, were alone pre-
Or vented by the course pursued by me OIL
b. those occasions, and the whole peopl
n. abandoning revolutionary violence, b,
e. me to 90 for The first time into a genera
s. and peaceful election.
ed "These important results constitut
in consolation for all the unjust assault
re made upon me on this subject. l do nc
ut understand that these assaults have re
nd ceived the slightest countenance from tn
be president. On the contrary, his messag
in clearly indicates anapproval ofthis cours
n up to the present most unfortunate differ
10 ence about the so called Lecompton Cor
of stitution.
nj ''Inasmuch, however, as the differenc
I'D is upon vital question, involving pra
on teal results as new instructions, it is ce
tainly much more respectful to the pre-
lch ident, on my part, TO resign the office
or Governor and give him an opportuni
md of filling it, as is his right under the co
vas stitution, with one who concurs with hi
at in his opinions, rather than to go to IA
SIX sas and force him to remove me, by d
ote obedience to his instructions.
on " The latter course, in my judgmel
ov- would be incompatible with proper I
en- spect for the Chief Magistrate of t
h Union, inconsistent with the rules of me
ca al rectitude or propriety, and could
sen accompanied with no other view than
was force the president to remove me fro
mp office.
'Such course, it is alleged, would pl
hat, sent me to the public as a political nj
S, tyr in the defense of the great princil
be of selfgovernment, but to go Kansas W
ion, any such purpose, or with cert;
-ital knowledge that such result must (
ere low, would be alike unjust and improp
as "My only alternative, then, is this
the a respectable resignation, in the he
and that Kansas and our beloved country N
Evil be shielded from that civil war with viii
nese l fear, both are threatened by any
ring tempt to force the so called Lecomp
oni- Constitution upon the people of x
1t to sas.
hat, Il stated as a fact, based on long
ould intimate association with the people
atlil- Kansas, and an overwhelming major
and of that people are opposed to that