The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-13

same men who did TINS nau previously uo
nounced Governor Walker for the sugges
ton in his inaugural address, and in his To
peka speech, that the Constitution should
be submitted to all the bona fide inhabitants
although he invariably stated, when asked
for explanation, that some reasonable length
of residence ought to be required as evidence
of the bona file character Of inha6itancy.
1t was apparent that all the machinery
had been artfullv prepared for repetition OF
gross frauds, simlar to those which mad oeel
attempted in October; and it was in view OF
all these facts. after the adjournment of the
Convention, that the people Of the Territory,
by an almost unanimous demand, called upon
me, as the acting Governor, to convene an
extra session of the Legislature, in order to
enable them peaceably to protect themselves
against the wrongs evidently contemplated
by the adoption of this Constitution. There
was no law to punish frauds in election re-
turns. The people were intensely excited ;
and it was the opinion of the coolest men In
the Territory that, without call OF the Leg
islature, the elections under the Constitution
could not have taken place without collision
and bloodshed. The meeting OF the Lesis-
lature diverted the attention of the people
from the schemes of violence upon which
they were brooding, substituted the excite
ment of debate and investigation for that of
fierce and warlike hatred, and enabled their
representatives to devise means for counter
acting the wrongs which they justly appre-
hended.
Recent events have shown that their appre-
tensions were we'll founded. Enormous
frauds have been perpetrated at the precincts
of Oxford, Shawnee and kicapoo and it may
we'll be believed that this result was actually
designed by the artful leaders who devised
the plan and framework Of the Lccompton
Constitution. ILave lately been at Shawnee,
and have seen and conyersed with persons
who were at Oxford on the day of election.
The frauds committed are notorious ana
though dishonest persons may deny them'
and may fill the channels of public inlorma-
ton with shameless representation TO the
contrary, they can be easily established De-
yond all controversy.
1t was to enable the people to shield them
selves from these frauds and to give legal ex-
preston to their hatred and rejection of the
instrument which permitted them, ana was
to be carried by them, that L called the Leg
islature together.
In my judgment the people had fair claim
to be heard On this subject through their
Legislature. The organic act contided to me
the discretion of converting that body in eX-
ira session. The President of United States
had no rightfu authority to exercise that dis
cretion for me. He had the power of remov-
al. and such control as that power gives him.
But would cheerfully have submitted to re-
moval and consequent loss of favor with the
President, rather than occupy the position of
Governor and refuse to the people an oppor-
tunitv to assert their most essential rights,
and to protect themselves against the basest
frauds and wrongs ever attempted upon an
community.
Sot having been informed of the grounds
of my removal, l know them only through
the newspaper reports, to the effect that in
callin5 the Legislature, disobeyed the in
structions Of the President. l had no in
bearing on the subject, and there
Was no time to obtain them, even if 1 had felt
bound t. Institute the Presidents will for
that discretion which the organic act contided |
to me. The converting Of the Legislature
prevented difficulty and secured
peace. Were it important, am confident
could establish this position by the most in
iubitable facts but it is sufficient now to
sar mat the peace of tie Territory was not I
in fact disturbed, and whatever approaches !
were made toward such result were wholly |
attributable to the policy of the Adminstra- |
lion in censuring my acts and removing me |
rom Office
The measure for which have been unjust
y condemned has enabled the people of Kan !
'aS to make known their real will in regard
% the Lecomptou Constitution. This .f
ords the Democratic party an opportuni' tv 70
lefend the true principles of consti' ut;onaI
liberty, and to save itself from d;sostroms
iivision and utter overthrow. If CONGRESS-
will heed the voice of the r ,eople and not
orce upon them a governT .ent which tbov
nave rejected by vote Of four to one. the
whole country will be satisfied and Kansas
will quietly settle he, own affairs without
.n' . itasC ul."Sulty, and without any danger
- 'ue O'ueoerac :. The Southern States,
N " .S are suppoS ed to have deep interest
u the !iiat'er; ill be saved from the supreme
ony ~ s'ahc ing up in defence of so wicked
'nu Gisno" st continuance as the Lecomp-
On IONS ,itution. The moral power of their
Posis." will not be weakened by vain and
L - IS defence of wrong, when it is perfect
y certain they will gain nothing even by
dccess in the present attempt.
The extra session of the Kansas Legisla-
ture has done good, also, by giving means to
expose and punish the monstrous frauds
which have been perpetrated, and doubtless,
also, by preventing others which would have
been attempted. 1t has driven the guilty
mscreants engaged in them to become fugi-
tlves from justice, and has rendered it impOs-
sbie for the peace of the Territory hereafter
to be endangered by similar occurrences.
In view of these facts and results, will
llngly accept the rebuke conveyed in nv
peremptory dismissal from office, but ap-
peal to the deliberate judgment of the peo-
pie to determine whether have not chosen
the only honorable course which the circum-
stances allowed me to pursue.
FRED. P. STANTON.
Washington, Jan. 90, 1858.