The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-14

Mexico and would have been ready and will
ling, to the extent Of its ability, to do US JUS
tice. In addition-and l deem this most
important Observation-Disclosures govern
ments would have been deprived of all pre-
text to interfere in the territorial and domes-
tic concerns of Mexico. We should thus
have been relieved of the obligation of re-
slsting, even by force, should this become
necessary, any attempt by these governments
to deprive our neighboring republic of por-
tons OF her territory duty from which We
could not shrink without abandoning the ira
ditiona and established policy of the Ameri-
can people. am happy do observe, that,
firmly relying upon the justice and good faith
Of these governments, there is no present
danger that such contingency will happen.
Having discovered that my recommends
tons would not be sustained by Congress,
the next alternative was to accomplish in
some degree, if possible, the same objects
by treaty stipulations with the constitutional
government. Such treaties were accordingly
concluded by our late able and excellent min
lister to Mexico, and on the 4th of January
last were submitted to the Senate for ratii-
cation. AS these have not yet received the
final action of that body, it would be improp-
| er foI me to present detailed statement of
their provisions. Still may be permitted
to express the opinion in advance that they
are calculated to promote the agricultural
manufacturing, and commercial interests of
! the country, and to secure our just influence
with an adjoining republic as to whose for
tunes and fate we can never feel Indifferent
whist at the same time they provide for the
payment of a considerable amount towards
the satisfaction of the claims of our injured
: fellow -citizens.
KANSAS AND UTAH.
At the period of my Inauguration | was
confronted in Kansas by revolutionary gov
eminent, existing under what is called the
Topeka constitution. Its avcwed object wa,
to subdue the territorial government by force
and to inaugurate what was called the Tope
ka government in its stead. To accomplish,
this object an extensive military organization
was formed, and its command entrusted t.
the most violent revolutionary leaders. Tn
der these circumstances it became my imper
ative duty to exert the whole constitutional
power of the executive to prevent the flames
of civil war from again raging i'll Kansas
which in the excited state ofthe public mind
both North and South, might have extended
to the neighboring states. The hostile par
ties in Kansas had been inAamed agains
each other by emissaries both from the Nortl
and the South, to degree Of malignity with
out parallel in our history. To prevent ac
tual collision, and to assist the civil masis
trates in enforcing the laws, strong detach
ment of the army was stationed in the terri
tory, ready to aid the marshal and his depu
ties, when lawfully called upon. as poss
comitatus in the execution Of civil and Grim
inal process.
Still the troubles in Kansas could not hav'
been permanently settled without an election
by the people The ballot-box is the sures
arbiter of dispute among freemen. tnde
this conviction, every proper effort was EN-
ployed to induce the hostile parties to vot
at the election of delegates to frame stat
constitution, and afterwards at the election
to decide whether Kansas should be slav
or free state. The insurgent party refused
to vote at either lest this might be consider
a recognition on their part of the territOria
government established by Congress. A bet
ter spirit. however, seemed soon after to pre-
vail, and the two parties met face TO face a
the third election, held on the first Monda,
of January, 1853. for members of the legis
lature and state officers under the Lecomptol
constitution. The result was the triumph o
the anti-slavery party at the polls. The de
cision of the ballot-box proved clearly tina
this party were in the majority, and removed
the danger of civil war. From that time W.
have heard little or nothing of the Topeka
government and all serious danger of revo
lutionary troubles in Kansas was then at a,
end.
The Lecompton constitution, which hat
been thus recognized at this state election b,
the votes of both political parties in Kansas
was transmitted to me with the request tina
| should transmit it to Congress. This
could not have refused to do without viola
ting nv clearest and strongest convictions o
duty. The constitution and all the proceed
ings which preceded and followed its lorna
ton were fair and regular on their face.
then believed and experience has proved tina
the interests of the people of Kansas woul
have been best consulted by its admission a
state into the Union, especially as the ma
iority, within a brief period, could have a
mended the constitution according to thei
will and pleasure If fraud existed in all o
any of these proceedings, it was not for tn
president, but for Congress, to investigat
and determine the question of fraud. ant
what ought to be its consequences. Ii, a
the two first elections, the majority refuse
to vote, it cannot be pretended that this re
fusal to exercise the elective franchise coul
invalidate an election fairly held under law
full authority even if they mad not subsequen,
ly voted at the third election. 1t is true tina
the whole constitution had not been submit
ted to the people, as always desired, bu
the presidents are numerous out of the al
mission of states into the Union without sue
submission.
1t would not comport with my present pur
pose to review the proceedings OF Congress
upon the Lecompton constitution. 1t is SUI
fcient to observe that their final action ha
removed the last vestige of serious revolu
tionary troubles. The despatch band recent
" assembled, under notorious outlaw, il
the Southern portion of the territory, to re-
sist the execution of the laws and to plunde
peaceful citizens will, l doub: not, be speed
iy subdued and brought to justice. Had
treated the Lecompton constitution as a null
ity and refused to transmit it to Congress, i
is not difficult to imagine, whilst recallin.
the position of the country at that moment
what would have been the disastrous conse
querces, both in and out Of the territory
from such derilection of duty on the par
of the executive.
Peace has also been restored in the terrific