The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-04-25
The Presidents Letter.

The following is a copy of Mr.. Buchnn-
au's celebrated letter TO Robert ]. Walker
when Governor OF Kansas
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1857.
My DEAR SRI duly received your letter
of the % ult on Friday last, and read it to
the Cabinet then in session. The views
which il contained were not calculated to
assure US OF your success though we did not
despond. Hence you may judge with
what satisfaction we received an account
OF the proceedings of the National DemoCra-
tic Convention, held at Lecompton on the
third instant. The point on which your own
success depends is the submission of the
! Institution TO the people of Kansas; and
! by the people mean, the actual bona hde
residents, who have been long enough in
the Territory to identify themselves with its
fate. The Legislature determined three
months as the period of residence 10 entitle
individuals TO vote for members Of the Con-
vention, and if the Convention should think
to adopt the same period TO entille individuals
TO vote for or against the constitution, it ap.
pears to me this would be reasonable. On
the question of submitting the Constitution
to the bona fide residents Of Kansas, | am
willing TO stand or fall. 1t is the principle
of the Kansas Nebraska bill, the principle
of Popular Sovereignty, and the principle Of
the foundation of all popular government-
The more it is discussed, the stronger it will
become. Should the convention Of Kansas
adopt this principle, all will be settled har.
moniously; and, with the blessing OF Provi-
ence, you will return triumphantly from
your urduous, important, and responsible
station. The structures Of the Georgia and
Mississippi Convention 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 much from
Mississippi. Should you answer the resolu
E ton of the latter, would advise you Il
make the greGt principle of the submission
S OF the Constitution to the bona fide resident
OF Kansas conspicuously prominent. Or
!, this you will be irresistible. With th
u question: of climate every person is acquain
5 ted, and the more you insist upon this, tht
It more will our oponents urge that we arr
d violating the prime pie of non interference u
the foundation OF the Kansas and Nebraska
bill. 1t is strange that the people at dis
d tance, who have no practical acquaintanc'
: with the condition OF Kansas, should under
t take to be wiser than those on the spot. 1t i
e beyond all question the true policy to bull
IS up great Democratic party there to main
h tain the Consti ution and the laws, compos
is ed OF Pro- Slavery and Free State Demo
1t Gratis, and if the majority should be Ogains
is Slavery, to obtain such constitutional pro-
;. visions as will secure the rights of slave
holders in Missouri and other States, an
- maintain all the laws guarding the jus
"" " rights OF the South.
> You are right in your conjecture as 10 III
cause OF Judge WiII1m0' appointment. w
:. supposed it would be peculiarly acceptabI
y to yourself, and that he might aid in carry
). ing out your policy.
Col. Cumming has been appointed Gov.
- ernor o Utah. This will cause his pluc
y to be vacant after the brief period require,
, for settling up his business, and cer1ainI,
. . shall be disposed to fill it by the appoint
ment OF Mr. Stevens.
= Gen. Harney has bfen ordered to com
= mand the expedition to Utah, but we mus
continue to have him with you, at least I'm
til you are out Of the woods. Kansas is vast
lymore important at the present momen
, than Utah. The pressure upon me COntin
4 ues without intercesaon. pray that D
~ vine Providence, in which place my trus
~ may graciously preserve my life and m
;. hes th until the end of my term. But God
n will be done in any event.
- With every sentiment of esteem,
= remain always sincerely your friend,
Signed JAMES BUCHANAN.
To Hon. Robert j. Walker.