The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-04-25
A Footprint OF tho Past.

Footprint OF tho Past.
The attention Of every man should be directed
to the following letter Of President Buchanan to
Hon. Robert j. Walker, At that date, Governor
of the Territory of Kansas It il true that bu'
chanan has neither strength, consistency, char
acter nor reputation to lose, hence it il the mere
Bleaching of she wreck, after the cargo has been
thrown overheard; but the example may be
useful, not to invite imitation, but "as a terror
to all persons in like cases offending" provided
always, that .'like cases" can be found.
Although it cannot strengthen the case OF
enormity and regeneration made out by this
letter, In connection with Buchanan's subsequent
acts still it is logical in this connection, to state
that the writer Of this article was felow-pas-
senger with Gov. Walker, at the time when he
went west to assume the government of Kansas
travelling from New York city to Detroit, and
heard him state, in presence OF his political
friends. the full understanding with the Presi-
cent, upon which he had consented to afsume
the responsibility of governing Kansas, in at
tempting which so many men OF prominence
in that party had failed before him. Suffice it
to ssy, that the grounds-the essential basis Of
this understanding varied no whit from the spirit
and language of the following letter, written soon
after-say two months.
j, is truly a spectacle doub!y melancholy to
contemplate-frst, that the Supreme Executive
head of the nation should be so vicious-second,
that that head should contain no more brains than
not 10 see that such a course would strand him
II il hard to tell which reflection is the most hu.
initiating. Yet, notwithstanding that the propo
sition was SO entirely, such was Buchanan
abject prostitution Of heart and mind to southern
e1action, that he thought to be borne through
ttiumphantly, and to be enabled to crush Wal
ker-a southern man-for doing the very thing:
upon which the bargain was based. Rascality
most absolute-stupdity most profound.
Pecksniff, himself, could not have pronounced
benediction over his meanest action, more tho
roughly Pharasaical than the close of this Execu
tive letter-M aworn is Outdone-and Louis Nj
is distanced by it. Mark it;
1.-THE pressure upon me continues without in
tercession. l pray the Divine Providence, il
which place my trust, may graciously preserve
my life and my health until the end Of my term
But Gods will be done in any event"
But here comes the letter:
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1857.
Ny DEAR Sir Il duly received your letter o
the 18th ult., on Friday last and read it to the
Cabinet then in session. The views which it con
tanned were not calculated to assure US of you
success, though We did not despond. Hence you
may Judge with what satisfaction we received al
account of the proceedings of the National Dem
UvIatic convention, neIu IL LecouipIop On Tue Ut
inst The point ON which your own success de
ponds is the submission of the Constitution 20 th,
people of Kansas and by the people mean, anC
| have no doubt you mean, the actual bona fid,
residents, who have been long enough in the Ter
ritory to identify themselves with its fate. Tn,
Legislature determined three months a. the pc
Rod Of residence to enttlc individuals to vote fo
nembas of the Convention, and if the Convsn
ton should think proper to adopt the same perioe
to enttle individuals to vote for or against ths
Constitution, il appears 10 ne this would DO rsa
sonable. On the question Of submitting tn,
Constitution to the bona fide residents of Kansas
am willing to stand or fall. Ii 10 tho principl,
Of the Kansas Nebraska bill, the principle OF Pop
ular Sovereignty, and the principle at the founda
ton Of all popular government. The more il il
discussed, the stronger it will become. Should
the Convention of Kansas adopt this principle, 81
will be settled tremendously; and, with tn,
blessing of Providence, yol will return triumph
autly from your arduous, important and rcspon
sible station. The structures Of tho Georgia ant
Mississippi Conventions will then pass away, ant
be speedily forgotten.
In regard to Georgia, our news from that Stat.
is becoming better every day. We have not ye
had time to hear much from Mississippi Should
you answer the resolution of the latter, woult
advise you to make the great principle of the
submission of the Constitution to the bona fids
residents OF Kansas eonspcuously prominent
On this you will be irresistible. With the Ques
ton of climate every person is acquainted, and
the more you insist upon this, the more will oul
opponents urge that We are violating the prinei
pie of non-interference at the foundation of tho
Kansas and Nebraska bill. 1t is strange thai
people at distance, who have no practical &C
quantancc with the condition of Kansas, should
undertake TO be wiser than those on the spot
1t is beyond all question the true policy to build
up great Democratic party there to maintain
the Constitution and the laws, composed of Pro
slavery and Free-Sta,e Democrats, and if the INA.
Jority should be against slavery, to obtain such
constitutional provisions as will secure the rghts
of shareholders in Missouri aud other States. and
maintain all the laws guarding the just rights OF
the South.
You are right in Your conjecture as TO the
cause OF Judge Williams appointment We
suppose it would be peculiarly acceptable to
yourself, and that he might aid in carrying out
your policy.
Col. Cumming has been appointed Governor OF
Utah. This will cause bis place to DO vacant az
ter the brief period required for settling up his
business, and certainly shall be disposed to fill
it by she appointment of Mr. Stevens.
Gen. Harvey has been ordered to command
the expedition to Utah, but we must continue to
have him with you, at least until you ars out of
the woods. Kansas is vastly more important q.
the present moment than Utah. The pressure
upon me continues without intsrcession. pray
that Divine Providence, in which ! place nv
trust, may graciously preserve my life and my
health until the end of my term. But Gods will
be done, in any event.
With every sentiment Of esteem,
l remain always sincerely your friend,
(Signcd,l BUCHANAN.
To Hon. RoBBRr j. WALKER.