The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-12-07

ted States, two OF them physicians, to be
seized In the hospital al that place, taken
out and shot, without crime and without
trial. This ives done, notwithstanding our
unfortunate countrymen we're atthe momeni
ment engaged in the holy cause of affording
relief TO the soldiers Of the parties who had
been wounded in the battle, without making
any distinction between them.
The time had arrived, in my opinion, when
this government was bound to exert it's pow.
er to avsnge and redress the wrongs Of our
citizens and to afford them protection 10
Mexico. The interposing obstacle was that
the portion Of the country under the swsy OF
Miramon could not be reached without pass
ing over territory under the jurisdiction OF
the constitutional government. Under these
circumstances, deemed il my duty to re-.
commend to Congress, in my last annual
Message, the employment of a sufficient
military force to penetrate into the interior,
where the government Of Miramon was to
be found, with, or, If need be, without the
consent OF the JaUrez government, though
it was not doubted that this consent conld
be obtained. Never have | had a clearer
conviction ou any subject than that of the
No other alternative was left, except the
entire abandonment Of our citizens who had
gone to Mexico, under the faith OF treaties,
TO the Systematic injustice, cruelty and op
preston of Miramon's government. Be.
sides, II is almost certain that the simple
authority to employ this force would of it..
self have accomplished all our objects with.
out striking q single blow. The constitu.
tional government would then ere this have
been established at the city of Mexico, and
would have been ready and willing, to the
extent of its ability to do US justice.
In addition and deem this a most i'm
portant Observation-Disclosures govern
ments would have been deprived of all pre-.
text to interfere in the territorial and do
mestic concerns of Mexico. We should
thus have been relieved from the obligation
Of resisting, even by force, should it become
necessary, any attempt by these govern.
ments to deprive our neighboring republic
of portions Of her territory; a duty from
which we could not shrink without abandon.
ing the traditional and established policy O.
the American people. l ON happy to OBJ.
serve that, relying upon the justice and gooc
faith OF these governments, there is no pre-
sent danger that such a contingency vii
happen.
Having discovered that my recommend.
} tions would not be sustained by Congress
the next alternative was to accomplish, il
some degree, if possible the same objects b,
treaty stipulatons with the constitutions
government Such treaties were according
" concluded by our late able and excelen
= Minister to Mexico, and on the oh of Janu
. aYy last wers submitted to the Senate fo
ratification. As these have not yet received
; The final action of that body, it would be i'm
= proper for me 10 present detailed state
{ ment OF their provisions. Still | may b.
! permitted to express the opinion in advanc
r that they are calculated to promote the ag
s riculural, manufacturing and Commerciu
b interests OF the country, and TO secure ou
Y Just influence with an adjoining republic a
g to whose fortunes and fate we can never fee
n Indifferent whilst at the same time the
!, provide for the payment Of considerabl
= amount towards the satisfaction oE the claim
of our injured fellow citizens.
# At the period OF my Inauguration | wa
d confronted in Kansas by revolutionar
r government, existing under what is Gale
t tho Topeka constitution. Its avowed oh
3 iact was to eubdue the territorial governmen
r by force, and to inaugurate what was caIle
, the Topeka government in its etead. T
I accomplish this object an extensive mii,sr
e organization was formed, end its comm.n
e entrusted to the most violent revolutioDl ar
. leaders. Under these circumstances, it be
r came my imperative duty to exert the Who'll
n Il o(t tL
vent the flames Of civil war from again rag
I ing in Kansas, which, in the excited state q
the public mind both North and South, misb
9 have extended into the neighboriug States
Tho hostile parties in Kansas had bee
d inAamHd against each other by emissarie
= both from the North and the South to de
= gree of maignity without parallel in on
7 history. To prevent actual collision, and I
assist the magistrates in enforcing the laws
: & strong detachment OF the army was sta
toned in the Territory. ready 10 aid tn
E marshal and his deputies when lawful
c1lled upon, as posse c0HitatUS in the exc
cution OF civil and criminal process.
= Sill, the troubles in Kansas could no
9 have been permanently settled without al
+ election by the people. The ballot box i
the surest arbter OF disputes among freeme n
Under this conviction, every pruper effor
t was employed to induce the hostile partie
: to vote at the election of delegates to fran
t State constitution, and afterwards at tn
5 election to decide whether Kansas should b
g q slave or free State. The insureent pa,
u ty refused 10 vote at either, lest this mici
0 be considered a recognition on their part
8 the Territorial government established b
a Congress. A better spirit, however, SCENE
e soon after to prevsil, and the two paltie
i met face TO face at the third election, bel
Y on the first Monday of January. 1858, fc
t members Of the Legislature and State off
. GERS under the Lecompton constitution.
e The result was the triumph of the ant
: slavery party at the polls. This decision {
: the ballot box proved clearly that this part
g were in the mejority, and removed the dal
J, ger of civil war. From that time we hay
It heard little or nothing of the Topeka GO
T. ernment and all serious danger OF revolt
e tionary troubles in Kansas was then at 6
end.
u The Lecompton constitution, which hi
D been thus recognized at this State electie
= by the votes of both political parties in Kal
sas, was transmitted to me with the reque
:, that should present it to Congress. Th
Il | could not have refused to do without vi
g a,ing NY cearest and strongest conviction
o Of duty. The constitution, and all the pr
10 ceedings which preceded and followed i
% formation, were fair and regular on the
face. then believed, and experience b
Is proved, that the interests of the people
% Kansas would have been best consulted |
II it's admission as State inte the Union, G
e nsciallH "a the m mAinritv. within a hriaf naI