The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-14
the traditional and established policy of the

that such contingency will happen. Having
discovered that my recommendations would
not be sustained by Congress, the next al
tentative was to accomplish it in some de-
gree, if possible, the same objects, by treaty
stipulations With the constitutional govern
ment. Such treaties were accordingly con-
cluded by our late able and excellent Minis
ter to Mexico, and on the fourth of Janu-
airy last, were submitted to the Senate for
ratification. As they have not received the
final action of that body, it would be impro-
per for me to present a detailed statement
of their provisions. Still may be permit
ted to express the opinion, in advance, that
thoy are calculated to promote the agricul-
tural, manufacturing and commercial inter-
ests of the country, and to secure our just
influence with an adjoining Republic, as to
whose fortunes and fate we can never feel
Indifferent; whilst at the same time they
provide for the payment of 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 revolution
airy Government existing under what
was called the Topeka Constitution. The
avowed object was to subdue the
Territorial Government by force, and to inaug-
urate what was called the Topeka Govern
ment in it's stead To accomplish this object,
an expensive military organization was
formed, and its command entrusted to the
most violent revolutionary leaders. Under
these circumstances it became my imperative
duty to exert the whole constitutional
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 parties had
been infamed against each other by emissar-
les both from the North and the South, to
degree of malignity without parallel in our
history. To prevent eventual collision and
to resist the civil magistrates in enforcing
the laws, strong detachment of the army
was stationed in the Territory, ready to aid
the Marshals and his deputies when officially
called upon as posse contains in the eXecu-
ton of civil and criminal process Still the
troubles in Kansas could not have been per-
manently settled without an election by the
people, the ballot boxes being the surest ar
bitrator Of disputes among freeman.
Under this convictien, every proper effort
was employed to induce the hostile parties
to vote at the election of delegates to form
a State Constitution, and afterwards at the
election to decide whether Kansas should
be slave or free state. The insurgent
party refused to vote at either, lest this
might be considered as a recognition on
their part of the Territorial government es-
tablished by Congress. A better spirit,
however, seemed soon after to prevail, and
the two parties met face to face in the election
held the first Monday of January, 1858, for
members of the Legislature and State Off
GERS, under the Lecompton Constitution.
The result was the triumph of the Anti
Slavery party at the polls. This decision
of the ballot box proved clearly that this
party were in the majority, and removed
the danger of civil war. From that time
we have heard nothing of the Topeka gov
eminent, and all serious danger of revolu-
tionary troubles in Kansas was then at an
end. The Lecompton Conatitution, which
had thus been recognized at this State cleo
ton by the votes of both political parties in
Kansas. was transmitted with the request
that should present it to Congress. This
l could not have refused to do without vio-
}ating my clearest and strongest convictions
of duty.
4hC IhWc, dHu Cuc EIOCCCuluSS WulCu
preceded and followed its formation, were
fair and regular on their face, and what
then believed and expressed has proven
true; the interests of the people of Kansas
would have been best consulted by its adj
mission as State into the Union, especial
ly as the majority within brief period
could have amended the constitution &C
cording to their pleasure. If fraud existed
in any or all of these proceedings, it was
not for the President but for Congress to in
vestigate and determine the question of
fraud, and what ought to be the conse-
queance. II at the two first elections the
majority refused to. vote, it cannot be pre-
tnded that this refusal to exercise the cleo.
tOral franchise could invalidate an election
fairly held under lawful authority, even if
they had not subsequently voted at the
third election. 1t is true that the whole
Constitution had not been submitted to the
people as always desired, but the prece-
dents arc numerous of the admission of
States into the Union without such sub.
mission. 1t would ill comport with my
present purpose to review the proceeding of
Congress upon the Lecompton Constitution.
1t is sufficient to observe that their final
actiou has removed the last vestige of Sc
rious revolutionary troubles. The desper-
ate band recently assembled under notori.
GUS outlaw in the Southern portion of the
Territory, to resist the execution of the laws
and to plumber peaceable citizens will, l
doubt not, be speedily brought to justice.
Had treated the Lecompton Constitution
as a nullity, and refused to transmit it to
Congress, it is not difficult to imagine,
whilst recalling the position of the country
at that moment, what would have been the
disastrous consequences both in and out of
the Territory, from such derilection of duty
on the part of the Executive.
Peace has also been restored within the
Territory of Utah, which, at the commence
ment of my administration, was in state
of open rebellion. This was the more dam
gerous, as the people, animated by fanat-
ical spirit, and entrenched within their
mountain fastness, might have made long
and formidable resistance. Cost what it
might, it was. necessary to bring them into
submission to the Constitution and the
laws Sound policy, therefore, as we'll as
humanity, required that this object should,
if possible, be accomplished without the eff
fusion of blood. This could only be effec-
ted by sending military force into the
Territory sufficiently strong to convince the
people that resistance would be hopeless,
and at the same time to offer them a par
don for past offences, on condition of i'm
mediate submission to the Government.
This policy was pursued with eminent sue
cess and the only cause for regret is the
heavy expenditure required to march
large detachment of the army to that re-
mote region, and to furnish its subsistence.
Utah iS now cOmn ma rafivo1u peacefuI and