The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-12-13

serve that, firmly relying upon the Justice and
! good faith of these governments, there is no
present danger that such contingency will
/ happen. Having discovered that my recon-
mendations would not be sustained by Con-
grcss, the next alternative was to ACCOMPLISH
lng some degree if possible the same objects by
treaty stlpuations with the Consti tutionaI
Government. Such treaties were accordingly
concluded by our late able and excellent Min
ister to Mexico, and on the 4th of January last
were submitted 10 the Senate for ratification
As these have not yet received the final action
OF that body, it would be improper for me to
present detailed statement of thcir provis-
IONS Stll may be permitted to express
! the opinion IN advance that they are alculated
to promote the agricultural, manufacturing
; and commercial interests Of the country, and
u secure our just influence with an adioin-
ing Republic, as to whose fortunes and fate
we can never feel indifferent, whilst at the
same time they provide for the Payment of
n considerable amount towards the salts
faction of the claims of our injured fellow
citizens.
KANSAS AND UTAH.
at the period of my inauguration | was
confronted in Kansas by a revolutionary gov
efnment, existing under what is called the
Topeka constitution. Its avoweG object was
TO subdue the Territorial Government by force
ana to lnaugurate what was called the topeka
Government in its stead. To accomplish this
object an extensive military organization was
formed, and its command intrusted 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 again raging in Kansas, which in
the excited state Of the public mind both
North and South, might have extended into
the nelghboring States. The hostile parties in
Kansas had been iniiamed against each other
ny emlssarles both from the North and the
south, to degree of malignity without n
parallel in history. To prevent actual
collision, and to assist the civil magistrates in
enforcing the laws, strong detachment of the
army was stationed in the Territory ready 10
ald the Marshal and his Deputies when law
laIly called upon as posse comitatuS in the
execution of civil and criminal process Stlr
the troubles in Kansas could not have boen
permanently settled without an election hv the
people; the ballot box is the surest arbiter 6f
disputes among freemcn. Under this Conyic-
ton, every proper effort was employed to in
duce the hostile parties to vote at the election
OF delegates to frame State Constitution and
afterwards at the election to decide whether
Kansas should be Free or a Slave State
The lnsurgent party refused to vote at either
lest TINS might be considered a RECOGNITION on
theE part OF the Territorial Government estab-
lsEed by Congress. A better spirit however
seemed soon after to prevail and the two
b''' tiNS ihtI ItCt TO lace at the third election
held or the first Monday of January. 1888 for
members of the Legislature and State officers
under the IecomptOn Constitution. The result
was the triumph of the anti-slaverv partv at
the polls. This decision of the ballot hox
proved clearly that this party were in the ma
lority: and removed the danger of civil war
rom that time we have heard nothing of the
Topeka Government, and all serious dancer
revolutionary troubles in Kansas was then NJ
an END Ihe LecomptOn Constitution. which
mad been thus recognized at this State cleo
tlon, by the voters of both political parties in |
Kansas, was transmitted, with the reGuest that |
l should present it to Congress This co,ld /
not have refused to do without VIOLATING my
clearest and trongest convictions of duty
ne Constitution, and all the proceedings /
which preceded and followed its formation ,
were fair and regular on its face | then he
leYed, and experience has proved. that the
interests OF the people of Kansas would have
been best consulted by its admission as
state INTO the Union, especially as the major
ty within a brief period could have amended
the Constitution according to their will and
pleasure. II fraud existed in all or any Of
these proceedings, it was not for the President.
JHt Tor Congress to investigate and determine
-he question OF fraud, and what ought TO be
It's consequences. If at the first two elections
the Majority refused to vote. it cannot be pre-
tended that this refusal to exercise the elect
we franchise could inyalidate an election fair
y hcld, under lawful authority. even if they
lad not subsequently voted at toe third eIec-
ion it is true that the whole Constitution
lad not been submitted to the people. as
always desired, but the precedents are nnmer
1us OF the admission Of States into the Union
without such submission.
1t would not comport with my present pur-
pose to review the proceedings of CONGRESS-
upon the Lecompton Constitution tits suffi
;lent to observe, that their final action has
removed the last vestige of serious reyoIu-
honary troubles. The desperate band. re-
;enJly assembled under notorious outlaw. in
me southern portion of the Territory. to resist
.he execution OF the laws and to plunder peace
ul citizens, will, doubt not. be spcedv sub-
lued and brought to Justice Had treated
the Lecompton Constitution as a nulIitv. and
reused 10 transmit 1t to Congress. it is not
difficult TO imagine, whilst RECALLING the nosiN
Ion of the country at that moment wbot
would have been the disastrous consequences
both IN and ont of the territory. from such
lerehctIon of duty on the part of the Eye
,utive
feace has also been restored within tho
erfilory OF ttah. which at the commencement
j my administration, was III state of omen
'ebelllon. This was the more dapgerous ae
he people animated by a finaticaI spirit and
'ntrenched within their distant mountain fast
lesSes, might have made long and formida
'le resistance Cost what it might, it was
ieceSs"ry TO oring them into subiection to
ne constitution and the laws Should noIicx,
therefore,, rs well as humanity reouired tbnt
MS OBJECT should, if possible. be accomplisb-
ID without the eiiusion of blood This couId
'hly be effected by sending a military force
nto the territory sufficiently stropo,
o convince the people that resistance would
,e hopeless' ana at the same time TO offer