Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-07

]
in my last annual message, the employment 81
a sufficient military force to penetrate into the
Interior where the government of Mira;non
was to be found, with, or, if need he. without
the consent of the Juarcz government, though
it was not doubted that this consent could bg
obtained. Never have had clearer convic.
ton on any subject than Of the justice as well
as wisdom Of such policy No other alter
native was left, except the entire abandonment
OF our iellowcitlzens who had gore TO Mexico
under the faith Of treaties. to the systematic
injustice, cruelty, and oppression Of Miramon's
government. Besides, it is almost certain tlat
the simple authority to employ th's force would
Of itself have accomplished ail our objects
without striking single blow The cor>ti;G
been established at the city Of Mexico and
would have been ready and willing. to the ey
tent of its ability, to do us justice
In additon-and | deem this 4 mos: i'm
portant Observation-Disclosures governments
would have been deprived Of nil preteyt 10 il.
tcrferc in the territorial and domestic concerns
Of Mexico. We should thus have h".n ic.
lieved from the obligation of resisting, even by
force, should this become Necessary. any NJ
tempt by these governments to deprive orc
neighboring republic Of portions Of her terrific
~; duty from which we could not shrink
without abandoning the traditional and cStab
lished policy Of the American people, AIN
happy TO observe, that, firmly relyin;: upon tie
justice and good faith Of these governments.
there is no present danger that such contin.
gency will happen.
Having discovered that my rcc0mmenda.
tons would not be sustained by Congress, tho
next alternative was TO accomplish, in so!ac
degree, if possible, the same objects by treaty
stipuiatiOns with the constitutional govern
ment Such treaties were accordingly comclu-
de-, by orr late able and eXcelen; minister {"
Mexico, and on the 18th January last were sub
mitted TO the Senate for ratification. As these
have not yet received the final action Of that
body, it would be improper for Tic 10 present
a detailed statement Of their provisions. St:.l
| may be permitted to express the opinion III
advance that they are calculated To promc'e
the agricultural, manufacturing. and conner.
cal interests Of the country. and TO secure oar
just influence with an adjoining rcpuh!;: rs 10
whose fortunes and fate we can Fever fee! in
different; whilst at the same time they provide
for the payment Of considerable amount 20.
wards the satisfaction Of the claims OF our in
urcd fellow.ctizens.
KANSAS AND UTAH.
At the period Of my inauguration was con-
fronted in Kansas by revolutionary govern.
mcnt, existing under what is called the Topeka
constitution. Its avowcd object was TO SuOduc
the territorial government by force, and 10 in
augurate what was called the Topeka govern
ment in its stead. To accomplish this ohjcc,
an extensive military organization was formed
and its command entrusted to the most violent
revolutionary leaders. Under these circum.
stances, it became my imperative duty TO exert
the whole constitutional power Of the EScci!-
tive to prevent the flames Of civi! war from
again raging in Kansas, which, in the excited
state Of the public mind, both North ard South,
might have extended into the ncighboriug
States.
The hostile parties in Kansas had been in
famed against each other by cmissarics both
from the North and the South. to degree o.
maignity without parallel in our history. To
prevent actual collision. and to asss, the civil
magistrates in enforcing the laws, strong de-
tachment Of the army was stationed IN the
Territory, ready to aid the marshal and his
deputies, when lawfully called upon, As II posse
c0mitdtUS in the execution Of civil and crlInl-
nal process.
Still the troubles in Kansas could not have
been permanently settled without an election
by the people, The ballot.boy is the Surcst
arbiler Of disputes among freemcn. Under
this conviction, every proper eilort was EN-.
ployed to induce the hostile parties TO vote at
the election Of delegates to frame State Con.
stitution, and afterwards ut the election to de-
| eide whether Kansas should be slave or 4 free
State The insargent party refused 10 vote 1T
| either lest this might be considered rccDgnl-
ton on their part Of the territorial government
established by Congress. better spirit, how'
ever, seemed soon after TO prevail, and the two
parties met face TO face at the third election held
on the first Monday Of January, 1853, for mem'
berS of the Legislature and State officers under
the Lecompton Constitution. The result was
the triumph of the antl.slavery party at the
polls. This decision sf the balot-boX proved
clearly that this party were in the majority
and removed the danger Of civil war. From
that time we have heard little or nothing Of
the Topeka government; and all serious dan
ger Of revolutionary troubles in Kansas WAS
| then at an end.
The Lecompton Constitution, whicli had
been thus recognised at this State election hy
the votes of both political parties in kansas
was transmitted to mc with the request that
should present it to Congress. This
could not have refused TO do without
violating my clcarest and strongest con.
victions of duty The Constitution, and
all the proceedings which preceded and
followed its formation, were fair and regular Oil
their face. then believed, and experience has
proved, that the interests Of the people o! kan-
sas would have been best consulted by It's nd
mission as State into the Union, especially as
the majority, within a brief period, could lave
amended the Constitution according 10 their
will and pleasure. II fraud existed in all or
any Of these proceedings, it was not for The
| President but for Congress 10 investigate and
determine the question OF fraud and wha.
ought to be its consequences. IT, at the two
first elections, the maj jorty refused to vote, II
cannot be pretended that this refusal to efeT-
else the elective franchise con!d inTalidate an
election fairly held under lawful authority,
even if they had not subsequently voted Al The
third election. It is true that the whole Con-
stitution had not been submitted to the pcnp!a.
as always desired; but the precedeniS are hu'
merous Of the admission OF States into the
| Union without such submission.
1t would not comport with my present pnr
| pose to review the proceedings OIL Congress
upon the Lccompton constitution. 1t Is suNi
cipnt to observe that their final action has re
moved the last vestige Of serious revolutionary
troubles. The desperate band recently asse;n-
bled. under notorious outlaw, IN the south
ern portion Of the Territory, to resist i''e exc.
| cution of the laws and to plumber peaceful!
citizens will, doubt not, be speedily suouuea
and brought to justice.
Had treated the Lecompton constitution IS
q nullty and refused to transmit It 10 Consfe$s,
| it is not difficult to imagine, whilst recalling
the position Of the country at that n1men''
what would have been the disastrous cons'-
quences, both in and out Of the territory, from
such dereliction OF duty on the part o' '"e
Executive. ,r..,..
.; In which, at the commencement Of M At-
min.;ra,ion, WIS in s:a:e o: open rebellion as
w,. the more dangerous, the people, animated oy
T,o,tica! spi, and entrench-d witE!H Incl! d:>aE:
mountain ;.stnesses, might have tnsde u long a''c
formidable resistance. CO.: what !: might, !; VS.
necessary 10 bring ;hcu into suhjection 20 Ge Con
,;,,,;,n , nd Tho laws Sound policy, Therefore.