Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-04-26
Buchanan's Letter to Gov. Walker

ouOAonono 4cCIoI 10 GOV, alker
The following is a copy of Mr.. BUcnAy,y,,
celebrated letter to ROBERT ]. WALKER when
Governor of Kansas
WASHINGTON, July y, 1857.
Ny DEAR SRI duly received vopr lotto.
OF the 18th ut, on Friday last, and read il
to the Cabinet, then in session. The views
which 1t contained were not calculated TO rs.
sure US of your success, though we did not do.
spond. Hence you may Judge with what sat.
lsfactlOn We received an account Of the nro-
ceedings of the National Democratic Convon.
ton, held at LecOmpton on the Sd inst The
point on which your own success depends il
the submission Of the Constitution to the pco.
pie OF Kansas and by the people | mean
and have no doubt you mean, the actual
bona fide residents, who have been long enourh
in the Territory to identify themselves with lis
fate. The Legislature determined three
months as the period of residence to cutitle
individuals to vote for members of the Con.
vention, and if the Convention should think
proper to adopt the same period to entitle in
dividuals to vote for or against the Constitu-
ton, it appears to me this would be reasona.
ble. On the question OF submitting the Con-
SttutiCn to the bona fde residents of Kansas.
| am willing to stand or fall 1t is the princi
pie of the Kansas Nebraska bill. the princi.
pie of Popular Sovereignty, and the principle
at the foundation of all popular government
The more it lis discussed, the stronger it will
become. Should the Convention Of Kansas
adopt this principle, all will be settled harmo-
niOusIy aud, with the blessing of Providence.
you will return triumphantly from your aydu-
ouS, important, and responsible station. The
structures Of the Georgia and Mississippi Con
ventions will then pass away, and be speedily
forgotten.
In regard to Georgia, our news from that
State is becoming better every day. We
have not yet had time to hear from Mississip-
p. Should you answer the resolution of the
latter, ] would advise yOu to make the prnci-
pie Of the submission of the Constitution to
the bona ide residents of Kansas conspicuous.
Iy prominent On this YOU will he irresistible.
With the question of climate cverT person is
acquainted, and the more son insist upon this
the more will Our opponents urge that we are
violating the principle of non interference at
the foundation of the Kansas Nebraska bill.
1t is strange that people at distance, who
have no practical acquaintance with The coudi-
than those on the spot 1t is beyond all ques-
tion the true policy TO buid up great Demo
cratic party there TO maintain the Constitution
ard the laws, composed of Pro-Slavery and
Free State Democrats, and if the majority
should be against Slavery to obtain such con
stitutonal provisions as will be secure the
rights of shareholders in Missouri aud other
States, and maintain all the laws guarding tie
just rights Of the South
You are right in your conjecture as TO the
cause Of Judge Williams appointment We
supposed it would be peculiarly acceptable TO
yourself, and that he might aid in carg iUg out
your policy
Col Cumming has been appointed Cover
nor Of Utah This will cause his place to be
vacant after the brief period required for set
ting up his business, and certainly shall he
disposed to fill it by the appointment Of Nh
Stevens
Gen. IIarney has been ordered to command
the expedition to Utah, but we must continue
to have him with you at least until Won ar.
out Of the woods kalsaS is vastly more
important at the present moment than Utah.
The pressure upon me continues without inter
cession. | pray that Divine Providence, in
which place my trust, may graciouSly pre-
serve my life aud my health until the end Of
my term. But Gods will be done, in any
, event.
With every sentiment of esteem, | remain
always sincerely your friend,
Signed BUCHANAN
To Hon. EoDEET J. WALKER