Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-04-24
Interesting Revelation.

IL VIII De FecOueCttu ny oui io"0SsNs '-.
amous Lecompton Constitution denied to the
PEOPLE of Kansas the privilege of voting upon
he question of it's adoption or rejection. For
his reason it was opposed by the Hon. K. J. Walk
". then Governor of Kansas, by Senator Doug
as. Gov. Wise and other prominent politicians.
The Administration, however, took the opposite
,round, and Gov. Walker was removed from
,ffice and returned bone in partial disgrace.
About the same time it was rumored that, shortly
before Lecompton was taken up as an Ad-
measure, President Buchanan had
written letter to Gov. Walker, sustaining his
policy and strenuously advising him to insist
,pon the submission of the Constitution to the
popular vote. The friends of the President de-
lied that any such letter had been written, and
it has been the subject of much speculation and
but it has at last come to light.
Mr.. Ellis B. Schnabel recently appeared
before the Oovode investigating committee, as a
witness, and was questioned in reference to the
letter. The following is an extract from his
testimony: ~
81 bad an accidental discussion with Attorney
General Black upon the truth OF the existence OF
such document as the one referred to in this
testimony, he denying, and affirming. He de-
clared that no SUCH document existed, and never
did exist. I told him had seen IT, He affirm
ed that / was mistaken; that if such letter ex-
listed no good citizen would withhold it. in
CURED of him whether he invited its production
in the name of the President. He replied Yes,
that he challenged its production. That if Gov.
Walker had such paper, bis duty to his coun-
try. as we'll az to himself, required him to pro-
duce it. That in poipt OF fact, however, be
said, the story was not founded in truth, or words
to that effect. Many severe remarks passed be-
tween us. He was in state OF great excite
ment. When referred second time to my
having seen Il, be again, in high rage, declared
that was in gross error; that the President
never wrote such a2cnment; and if Governor
Walker, or any other person, Byefsaaed to have
such document, it was mere pretence, to
cover up psrpetrated or intended treason to
the Democratic party, or Ilere pretext tor de-
sorting to the Black Republican ranks. He
further added, that if any one attacked the Ad-
ministration on this gronud, Ito use bis exact
words) We will put shirt upon him from
aohich he aoiU neoer escaps."
Mr.. Walker thereupon produced the letter,
which is dated July -, 1857. 1t fully sustains
all that has been said OF it, and shows that the
President at the time entirely committed him
self to the doctrine of popular sovereignty in the
Territories, though he subsequently, retreated
from that position and condemned Governor
Walker for pursuing the very couEse which be
had urged upon him. Mr.. Buchanan writes to
Governor Walker that his success depends .snp-
on the submission of the Constitution to the
people of Kansas" On the question of submit
ting the Oonstituton to the bona 1ids residents
of Kansas, he says: II am willing to stand OF
fall. 1t is the principle of the Kansas Nebrasks
bill-the principle of popular sovereignty, and
the principle at the foundation of all popular
government. The more it is discussed the
stronger it will become And still continuing
to press the subject, Governor Walker is urged
''to make the great principle Of the submission
of the Consiitution to the bona tide residents O
Kansas conspicuously prominent On this you
will be irresistible"
Mr.. Walker was also examined by the Com
mittee, and gave historical account of his ap
pointment IS Governor of Kansas, and OF his &C
ton there under the views and instructions o
the President, demonstrating that be had beef
fully sustained by the President until the latte
changed his policy, in November, 1867. He al
so explained how the programme of the Lecomp
ton Convention had been prepared in Washing
ton, and transmitted to Kansas, and his coop
Grafton asked and refused On being then in
formed that it was the programme of the Presi
dent he denied it, and showed Mr.. Buchanan
letter of the 18th of July to sustain his assertion
A more damaging instance of political ineon
sistency, says the Baltimore American, than il
exhibited by this letter, in connection with tht
Presidents subsequent course, it would be i'm
possible to conceive. The manner in which thu
exposure has been brought about also adds t.
the pungency of the humiliation that must at
tend it. Mr.. Walker, who has go long held thu
letter in reserve, has only at last made it public
to defend himself from the attack of the Attor
ney General.