The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-05-03
The Prcsident,s Letter.

ne lOllOWlnS is copy OF Mr. Bu-
chanan's celebrated letter to Robert J.
Walker when Governor Of Kansas:
1as WASHINGTON, July ~, ls47.
g My DEAR S1R-I duly received your
letter of the 9th nit. on Friday last,
and read it to the Cabinet then in ses-
sion. The views which it contained
were not calculated to assure us of your
success, though we did not despond.
Hence you may judge with what salts
faction we received an account of the
proceedings of the National Democrat
ic Convention, at Lecompton on the Sd
inst. The point on which your own
success depends is the submission of
the Constitution to the people of Kan
sas and by the people / mean, and
| have no doubt you mean, the actual
bona fide residents, who have been
long enough in the Territory to iden-
tify themselves with his fate. The
Legislature determined three months
as the period of residence to entitle in
dividuals to vote for members of the
Convention, and if the Convention
should think proper to adopt the same
period to entitle individuals to vote for
or against the Constitution, it appears
to me this would be reasonable On
the question of submitting the Consti-
tuition to the bona fide residents of
Kansas, am willing to stand or fall.
1t is the principle of the Kansas-Ne-
braska bill, the principle of Popular
Sovereignty, and the principle st the
foundation of all popular government
The more tits discussed the stronger
it will become. Should the Convention
of Kansas adopt this principle, all will
be settled harmoniously; and, with the
blessings of Providence, you will re-
turn triumphantly from your arduous,
important and responsible station
The structures of the Georgia and Mis-
sissippi 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 much time
to hear from Mississippi. Should you
answer the resolution of the latter, /
would advise you to make the great
principle of the submission of the Con-
stitution to the bona fde residents of
Kansas conspicuously prominent. On
this you will be irresistible. With
the question of climate every person
is acquainted, and the more you insist
upon this, the more will our opponents
urge that We are violating the princi-
pie of non-interference at the founda-
ton Of the Kansas Nebraska bill. 1t
is strange that people from distance,
who have no practical acquaintance
with the condition of Kansas, should
undertake to be wiser than those on
the spot. 1t is beyond all question the
true policy to build up a great Demo
cratic party there to maintain the Con-
stitution and the laws, composed of
Pro Slavery and Free State Democrats,
and if the majority should be against
Slavery, to obtain such constitutional
provision as will secure the rights of
Shareholders in Missouri and other
States, and maintain all the laws guard
ing the just rights of the South. aafh
You are rightin your conjecture as
to the cause of Judge Williams ap-
pointment. We supposed it would be
peculiarly acceptable to yourself, and
that he might aid in carrying out your
policy. 3rt1 eai SIS ie,g-
Col. Cumming has been appointed
Governor of Utah. This will cause his
place to be vacant after the brief peri
cd required for settling up his business
and l certainly shall feel disposed to
fill it by the appointment of Mr.. Stevens.
Gen. Harney has been ordered to
command the expedition to Utah, but
we must continue to have him with
you, at least till you are out of the
woods. Kansas is vastly more impor-
tant at the present moment than Utah.
The pressure upon me continues with
out intercession. l pray that divine
Providence, in which place my trust,
may graciously preserve nay life and
my health until the end of my term.
But Gods will be done, in any event.
With every sentiment of esteem,
Iremain always sincerely '''
aisa Your friend. ae1E'
Ell ISigned1 81 BUCHANAN.
| m ID W.rnrp