The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-12-13
ing the traditional and Established policy Of

ing the traditional and established policy Of
the American people.
am happy to observe that, firmly relying
upon the justice and good faith of these Gov.
ernments, there is no present danger that such
a contingency. will happen. Having discov.
cred that any Recommendations would not be
sustained by Congress, the next alternative
was to accomplish in some degce, if POSSIBLE
the same objects, by treaty stipulations with
the constitutional government. Such treaties
were accordingly concluded by our late able
and excellent Minister to Mexico, and on the
fourth of January last were submitted to the
Senate for ratification. As they have not re.
ceived the final action of that body, it would
be improper for me to give detailed state
ment of their provisions. Still may be permit.
ted to express the opinion, in advance, that
they are calculated to promote the agricultu-
raj manufacturing and commercial interests
Of the country, and to secure our just influence
with an adjoining Republic, rs to whose for
tunes and fate we can never feel indifferent;
whilst at the same time they provide for the
payment Of considerable amount towards sat.
isfacton of the claims of our injured fellow
citizens. .. |........
KANSAS AND UTAH ....
At the period of my Inauguration was con
fronted in Kansas by o revolutionary Govern
ment. existing under what was called the To-
peka Constitution. The avowed object was
to subdue the Territorial Government by
force, and TO inaugurate what was called the
Topeka Government in its stead. To accom-
plish this object an extensive military organ
ization was formed and ita command entrus-
ted to the most violent revolutionary leaders
Under these circumstances il became my i'm
perative duty to exert the whole Constitu-
tional power Of the executive, to prevent the
flames of civil war from raging in Kansas
which the excited state Of the public mind
both North and South might have extended
into the neighboring States. The hostile par.
ties in Kansas had been iniamed against each
other BY emissaries both from the North and
South, to degree of malignity without par
alel in our history. Toprevent eventual COL
lision and to assist the civil magistrates in
enforcing the laws, a strong detachment OF
the army was stationed in the Territory,
ready 10 aid the Marshal and his deputies
when officially called upon as posse COM
itatus in the execution Of civil and criminal
processes Still the troubles in Kansas could
not have been permanently settled without an
election by the people, the ballot boxes being
the sacred arbitra tor Of disputes among free
men. Under this conviction cveryeffort was
employed to induce the hostile parties TO vote
at the election of del gates to frame the State
Constitution, and afterwards a, the election
to decide whether Kansas should be free or
slave State. The inSurgent party refused to
vote at either, lest this might be considered
as recognition on their part of the Terrific
rial Government established by Congress A
better spirit, however, seemed socn after to
prevail, and the two parties met face to face
in the election held on the first Monday of
January 1853, for members of the Legislature
and State officers under the Lecompton Con-
The result was the triumph of the
anti. Slavery party at the polls. This decision
of the ballot box proved clearly that this par
ty were in the majority, and removed the dan.
ger of civil war. From that time we have
heard nothing of the Topeka Government, and
all serious danger of revolutionary troubles
in Kansas was then at an end. The Lecomp-
ton Constitution, which has been recognized at
this State election. by the votes of both politi
cal parties in Kansas, was transmitted with
the REQUEST that should present it to Con-
gress. This could not have refused to do,
without violating my clearcst and stronges
convictions of duty.
Thelaws. and all the proceedings which pre-
ceded and followed its formation, were fair,
and regular on their face, and what l then
believed and expressed has proved true: the
interests of the people Of Kansas would have
been best consulted by its admission, as
State, into the Union. especially as the major
ity within n brief period, could have amended
the Constitution according to their will and
pleasure. lffraud existed in any or all OF
these proceedings it was not for the President
but for Congress to investigate and determine
the question Of fraud. and what ought to be
the consequences If at the two first elections
the majority refused to vote, it cannot be pre-
tended that this refusal to exercise the elec-
toral franchise could invalidate an election
fairly held under lawful authority, even ii
thew had not voted at the third election Itis
true that the whole Constitution had not been
to the people, rs always desired,
but the precedents are numerous of the admis-
sion Of States into the Union without such
admission II would not comport with my
present purpose to review the proceedings OF
Congress upon the Lecompton Constitution
It is sufficient to observe that their final &C
ton has removed the last vestige OF serious
troubles. The desperate band
assembled under notorious outlaw
in the Southern portion Of the Territory to
resist
der reaccahle citizens. will, l doubt not, be
speedily brought to justice. Had treated
the Lecompton Constitution rs a nu'ity and
refused to transmit il to Congress, it is not
difficult to ina CINE, whilst recalling the posi-
ton If the country at that moment, what
weull have been the disastrous consequences
both-in and ont Of the Territory. from such
dereliction of duty on the part of the Execu>
tive
Peace has also been restored within the Ter
ritory Of Utah, which, at the commencement
Of nv administration, was in a state Of open
rebellion This was the more dangerous, ms
the people, animated by fanatical spirit,
NJ sses. night hive made long and formula
BILE resistance Cost what it might, it was
necessary to bring them into subsection to the
and the laws. Sound policy,
therefore, as we'll a. humanity, requires that
this subject should. If possible, be accomplished
without the effusion of blood This could only
he effected, by sending military force into
the Territory, sufficiently strong to convince
the peorle that resistance would he hopeless,
and at the same time to offer them pardon
for past offenses on condition of immediate
snbrs isson to the Government. This policy
was pursued with eminent success; and the
only canse for regret is the heavy expenditure
required to march a large detachment OF the
army TO that remote region, and to furnish its
Utah is now comparatively
and qniet, and the military force has
been Withdrawn, except that portion of il nee
essary TO keep the Indians in check, and to
prot cot the emigrant trains on their way to
eur Pacific possessions.