The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-17
HON. REVERDY JOHNSON AND THE KANSAS
nIrFSTInN

HON. REvERDY JOHNSON AND THE KANSAS |
QUESTION.
The following letter from the Hon. Reverdy |
Johnson was received by the Committee of Invita-,
tions of the recent Tamnany Hall meeting
GENTLEMEN :-Whe 'the peace and quiet Of the
whole country involved, the people should
together to consult the best of pre-
serving them. | would therefore, chccruly be
present at the meeting to which YOU inv lite me- to be
held at Tammany Hall on the 4th inst, if could, but
it is impossible. 1t cannot be, that at this period of
general prosperity, after political institutions
State and Federal have stood so many trials in
and in peace, and proved themselves adequate TO
all, that they are to be weakened, much less de
stroyed, by the one to which they now sub
jected.
With every right of person and property, as abso-
lutely secured seems to be possible to human wis
dom with people of unequalled happlness-a
government of unexampled power Justly exciting
our own pride, and challenging the admiration
of the world "A population possessing unsurpass-
ed general intelligence, and love OF Constitutional
freedom, made the more intense, by the happy
suits which each day experience demons trates it
has secured to them-proud ola common ancestry
sharing equally in all the honors of revolutionary
struggle, such history never before recorded for
its dangers its purity, its success and its conse-
quences-teaching lessons of patriotism and love of
liberty, which have had and will ever continue to
have an influence wherever letters are known, in en-
larging the area ofpotical freedom and indicating
the capacity of man for selfgovernment--loosen
the shackles upon human ought-formng public
opinion stronger than the bayonet, forcing by its
power even desp0ts to mildnesS and lberality-it
cannot be, with all these persuasons to 'peace and
quiet, that people having no interest whatever,
in the schemes of Political partzans, but every
tive to guard against the perils to which their low
ambition may lead, will permit such 'peace and
quiet to be long seriously disturbed. The dem
agogue is found wherefreedom exists, but what
cares he for the danger ruin that may be in the
path of his schemings? Selfish from his nature, he
plots to attain his ends, wholly regardless OF Che
danger or the destruction in which these may in
yOve the very freedom which alone gives impuniy
to himself.
All good men will approach the present crisis in
different temper and with patriotic impulses
With them, the sole inquiry will be, how is it safely
to be passed through? Kansas is the locality of the
danger. The excitement has its origin there and
the question is how can it be best and most speedily
arrested? On such proposition, it is not to be
wondered that differences of opinion should honest
ly exist.
Mistakes in the past may, and no doubt did occur.
But 1t Is with the present we have to deal What
is the shortest and wsest mode now of removing
the of the disquiet? Is it to admit the Terri
tory State, and leave it to the people of the
State, thus safe from the intrusion of extraneous
power, because then left to their government,
to provide for themselves in their own way? To
submit to them what will then be their unquesion-
ed power, to change altogether, or to modify their
Constitution well their laws, as they shall
think most conducive to their own interests, and
most protective of their own rights? Regard
ing these inquiries without prejudice or pas
sion, and with the aid of reason alone, would
suppose that they could only be answered affirma-
lively. Ii majority of the people of Kansas are
for ''peace and quiet" is it not manifest that BY this
mode, they can have them? And when very ex-
istence as nation is supposed TO be contingent on
such result, how can patriotism fail, not only to
see the wisdom, but the duty of such a course?
With so happy termination of perilous differences,
clearly within their reach are they recklessly
to continue them by abstract inyestiga lions in
to the nature of sovereign poverty the dog
ma, that from its very nature, it cannot be
delegated, or exerted otherwise, than by itsef;
that in this respect, it is so inherent that ii
cannot be parted with even for a moment; that
it is so absolute, and exclusive and incommu
nicable, that it cannot be exercised even in the
way which it may itself think best-in sword
that it is so intrinsically powerful that it can
not do what it pleases and as it pleases to at
tain the very ends of its existence? Are they
to continue the agitation, by complaints of pas
wrongs, perpetrated either by force or fraud? Arc
they to continue the reign of disorder and outrage
threatening civil war amongst themselves, ant
bringing the entire country into dshonor, rather
than gladly seize practical and speedy and efectu
al mode certain, if used to correct whatever Their,
may have been, or may now be- of miseov
and OF establishing in its stead, institutions to sui
themselves, and of restoring their fair land to tina
peace and quiet it so much needs, and thereby
removing, then and forever, the reproaeh to them
selves and their countrymen,- of the prevalence,
OF violence and anarchy which dishonors all q?
Under such circumstances to continue the ex
listing state of things by indulging in disquistion.
into the nature of constitutional government anC
the character of sovereign power is not less unwist
than unpatriotc. The apprehension that the course
recommended by the President will inaugurate eth,
hrst year OF American monarchy could only enter
highly excited imagination, dwelling for month,
upon one idea-the inalenable nature of SOVEREIGN
p0wer-and disappointed in the fate of its own plar
OF adjustment, no doubt most honestly resolved up
on, and periodically pursued. to the very momen
OF its failure. WondrchW! to be the result of bring
ing State into the Union, as sovereign the mo
ment of its Incorporation, any of the other State
vested with the perfect right to mould all its in
situations at Its own will, subject only to the re
strictons OF the Constitution of the United States
is notion as fanciful and far-fetched as ever en-
tered sensitive intellect.
Let not either the honest men of the free State
who desire Kansas also to be free, alarm themseve
with the deluson that slavery will there find per
manent foothold No greater delusion could pre-
vail. Climate and products contradict it. TIN
warmer latitudes and their products, especial
suited to such labor, render it morally impossible
and finally, the people of Kansas will have an abso
lutte right to prohibit it, and as far as the Cons
tuition of the United States is concerned in thei
own way and upon their own terms. | have reaso
to believe that there are not now hundred slave
in the Territory and these viii no doubt be remoy
ed before it is admitted a State.
10 all practical intents, then, the Territory is n
ready free, and is as certain to remain free "a I'll
laws OF nature are to remain unchanged. How el
trely abstract therefore is the question in reear
10 either the Northern or southern section of ou
country? And shall we upon abstraction hazar
Union achieved for us by the valor and wisdom {
our ancestors, and to which, in the past, nearly a
that we have enjoyed of happiness at home and r.
spect and honor abroad to be referred and witt
out which there is nothing to be anticipated bl
strife, intestine war, desoation. ruin. havoc an
degradation in the judgment of the civilized worl,
God grant that such may not be the end of OF
present differences, but on the contrary that W
may, till " the last syllable of recorded time r.
main contented, happy and united people Sue
is sure to be our lot if but true to ourseve
and am satisfied that it was with that end and d
contributing to that end alone, that the Presder
has recommended the measure which it is the oil
Ject OF your meeting to approve Hoping that you
voice will prove potential in this, and every otht
patriotic effort, and that your city in this, as
everything, will prove sound q from centre to CT
conference" l remain, with regard.
Your obedient servant
REV ERDY- JOHNSON.
To Messrs. Froment, Provost Cornell and other
Committee, &C., &C., New York