The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-06-18
The Kansas Election Instructions from
the Administration 30 Gov. Denver.
DEPARTMENT or STATE,
WASHINGTON, May 7, 1858.

WASHINGTON, May Z, 1898.
j. Y. Dea0er, Esq, Goperaor Of the Territory
Of Eaasas, Lec0mpfoa.
SIR ] transmit 10 you copy Of the act OF
Congress approved May 4th, 1853, ssfor the ad-
mission olthe State Of Kansas into the Union"
Your duties ulder this act are of the most deli
cate and important character, but they are
clearly and distinctly defined by the act Itself
tAiieF stating the main provisions Of the act
it proceeds ,
Under the second section of the act, yourself
the District Attorney, the Secretary OF the Ter
ritory, the President Of the Council. and the
Speaker Of the House Of Representative, are
constituted a Board of Commissioners TO conduct
this important election. The President has en-
fir' c0atteAc2 that 50 far as IN qo1 lies. the E
lection gal5e Jairly and property conducfed-
Your powers aad your duties are sufficiently
pointed ont BY the Act, and by your previous
Instructions. IL IS greatly - Be desired that
th~ fies Commissioners sho4ii act IN coacprt in
all tts pr0caeliags. Tie Presideat ADORE all
things desires, htat there sho0iI be fair er-
presSfoH Of the popular orW on this importaaf
question: and tint any person agho may attempt
to commit The traHds puniShaJie uadey the let
mig be prosecuted rjth The utmost rigor of the
Tar. Il is to be hoped that the people of Kan
left 10 decide the question for themselves.
whether they will Immediately come into the
Union under the provisions ol the Act. or will
remain in Territorial condition until their
population is equal to the number required for
a representative 10 Congress.
IacloseI herewith you will receive four cop-
les Of the act referred TO. one OF which YOU will
send to each Of the Commissioners named in the
act, 10 ord~r that they may be properly inform
I'd OF their designations.
At the same time, yoa will provide for an
early meeting Of The Commissioners, so that the
election required by The act may take place
without unnecessary delay, and that all suitable
arrangements may be made for this purpose
The President earnestly hopes that these ar
engagements may be successful in securing a free
and fair election, and that at the present iinpor-
tant crisis, the peace of the Territory NAV not
be Interrupted
The act for the admission of Kansas ought 10
be extensively circulated among The people, be-
cause The question to be decided by them is one
Of vast Importance, and may involve the welfare
and prosperity Of their ine Territory for long
period OF years. For this reason. whilst the act
very properly prescrlbes that the day of election
shall be at as early period after the prociama-
ton as is consistent with the notice thereof to
the people, the intervening period ought to be
sufficiently long to enable them 10 Thoroughly
understand the question in all It's bearings and
consequences. ] shall have ten thousand copies
Of the act printed in this city, and forwarded to
you for immediate circulation.
You will not probably convene the Board un-
Ill after the appointment OF new District AT
torney for the Territory. A nomination for
this purpose wll be sent TO The Senate on Mon
day nest. Should you deem il advisable, YOU
are at liberty TO publish the whole or any part
OF these Instructions. The President wishes 10
give every assurance to the people of Kansas.
that he desires above all things. that there shall
be far expression Of the popular will at The
election; aad that the result may be 10 produce
peace and harmony among themselves, and pro-
mote their lasting welfare.
am, Sir, your obedient servant,
LEWIS CASs