The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-12-14
VOLUME XI. NO. SO.
Concluded,l

Having discovered that my recommends
sions would not be- sustained by Congress,
vhe naxt alternative was 10 accomplish, in
some degree, If possible, the same objects by
troaty stipulatious with the constitutional
government. Such treaties were accord.
ingly concluded by our late able aud OK
collent Miaister to Mexico, and on the 4th
OF January last, were submitted to tho SOU.
ate toe ratification. As these have not yet
received the final action of that body. IL
would be improper for mo to present a do
tailed statement of their provisions. Still
i may be permitted to express the opinion
in advance that they arc calculated to pro.
mote tho agricultural. manufacturing and
commercial interests Of the country, tnd to
secure our just influence with an adjoining
republic as to whose fortunes and fste va
can never feel indifferent; whilst at tho
same time they provide for the payment of
a considerable amount towards the salts
faction of the claims of our injured follow.
citizens.
KANSAS AND UTAH.
At the period of my inauguration | was
confronted in Kansas by revolutionary
government, existing uGder what is called
the Topeka constitution. It's avowed object
was to subdue the territorial government
the Topeka government ir its stead. To
accomplish this object an extensive military
organization was formed, and it's command
entrusted to the most violOnt revolutionary
leaders. Under these circumstances, it be-
came INV imperative duty to exort the whole
constitutional power of the Executive to
prevent tho flames of civil war from again
raging in Kansas, which, in tho excited State
or the public mind both North and South,
might have extended into the neghboring
States,
Tho hostile parties in Kansas had been
inhamed against each other by emissaries
both from the North and the South, to a dc.
gree of malignity withou. parallel in our
history. To prevent actual collision, and to
assist the magistrates in enforcing the laws,
q strong detachment of tho army was sta
toned in tho Territory, ready to aid the
marshal and his deputies when lawfully
called upon, as a posse comitdtHs in tho OK.
ccution of civil and criminal process.
Still, the troubles in Kansas could not
havo been permanently settled without an
election by tho people. The ballot box is
tho surest arbiter of disputes among free
men. Under this conviction, every proper
effort was employed to induce tho hostile
parties to voto at the election Of delegates
to franc q State constitution, nna after
wards at tho election to decide whothoi
Kansas should be slave or free State
The insurgont party refused TO voto at either,
lest this might bo considered recognition
on their part of tho Territorial government
established by Congress. A better spirit,
however, seemed soon after to prevail, and
tho two parties met face to face at tho third
election, hold on the first Monday of Jan.
uary, 1853, for members OF tho Legislature
and State officers under the LecomptoD
constitution.
Tho result was tho triumph of tho anti.
slavery party at the polls. This decision OF
the ballot box proved clearly that this party
we're in the majority, and removed tho dan
ger Of civil war. From that time wo have
heard little or nothing of the Topeka gov.
ernnent and oil serious Danger of revolu
tionary troubles in Kansas was then at an
end.
The Lecompton constitution, which had
been thus recognized ut this State election
BY the votes of both political parties in Kan.
sas, was transmitted to me with tho request
that should prosont it to Congress. This
I could not have refused to do without vio-
lating my cearcst and strongest convictions
of duty. Tho constitution, and all the pro.
ceedings which preceded and followed its
formation, were fair and regular on their
face. l then believed, and experience has
proved, that the interests OF tho people OF
Kansas would have boon bost consulted by
Its admission as State into tho Union, os'
pecially as the majority, within bliet period
could have amended the constitution &C.
cording to their will and pleasure. II fraud
existed in all or any OF these proceedings, il
was not for tho President, but for Congress
TO Investigate and determine the question
OF fraud and what ought to be its conso
quences. II at the two hrst elections, the
majority refused to vote, II cannot DO pre-
tended that this refusal TO exercise tho eloc-
tive franchise could invalidhte an election
fairly hold under lawful authority, oven II
they had not subsequently voted at the
third election. IL is true that the whole
constitution had not boon submitted to tho
people as always desired; but the proco,,
dents are numerous OF tho admission OF
states into the Union without such sub
mission.
IL would not comport with my present
purposes to review tho proceedings of Con-
gross upon the Lecompton constitution. 1t
10 sufficient to observe that their final action
has removed the last vestige of serious revo'
lutionary troubles. The desperate band re'
Gently assembled, under notorious outlaw,
In tho Southern portions OF the Territory,
to resist the execution OF the laws and 10