The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-05-03

tablish dangerous precedent" but be-
cause he was afraid of the truth. The
real cause of his Protest has been brought
to light, and the disclosures made in la
tion to him and his administration are
sufficient to damn both, in the estimation
of all honest men.
One of the most interesting and slgnif-
cant features in this investigation is to be
found in the disclosures made by Ellis B.
Schnabel, who, in 1856, was one of Bu-
chanan's most active supporters. 1t will
be remembered that, when Hon. Robert
J. Walker was Governor of Kansas, it was
the main policy of his administration to
submit the constitution Of the territory to
a vote Of the people. After his summary
removal from office, Gov. Walker and his
friends claimed that this policy was en-
tirely in accordance with the Presidents
instructions, and that he had in his pos
session letter to that effect This the
friends of the administration have always
denied, and although years have elapsed
since Buchanan deserted the princip Piles of
Popular Sovereignty, Walker has never
until now seen FIT to expose him and vindi-
cate himself, by making that letter public.
Mr.. Schnabel has, however, given this
controversy a 'settlcr." When brought
before the Committee, he testified that
such letter was in existence, and that he
had seen it. Subsequently the letter itself
was produced as 'the best evidence of its
CONTENTS" and prooen to be IN Hr. Buchan-
ans oacn handUrttimg Here it is;
WASHINGTON, January II, 1857.
Ny Dear Sir Il duly received your letter
of the 28 ult, and read it to the Cabinet then
in session. The views which it contained
were not calculated to assure of our sue
cess, though did not despond. Hence you
may judge with what satisfaction we received
an account of the proceedings of the National
Democratic Convention, held at Lecompton
on the Sd inst. TIE point ,Chich your OlcH
success depends IS tie submission Of tie C0nstitu-
! ton to tie people Of Kansas 4; and By tie people
l mean, and hope no doubt you man, the ac-
| tuaI bona fde residents lrho hare been Iona en-
! ough ia the Territory to identity themselves ,rith
its fate. The Legislature determined three
months the period of residence to entitle
individuals TO vote for the members of the
! Convention, and if the Con .ention, should
| think proper to adopt the same period to en-
! title individuals-to vote for or against the
1 Constitution, il appears to me this would be
! reasonable. On the question of submitting
| the Constitution to the bona fde residents
| OF Kansas, an lciiitng 10 stand or fall. II is
| the PrtRcipte Of the KdRsaS-Ne5TaskaG GU The
prtactpte Of Popular Sovereignty, and the prirai-
| pie and foundation Of all PCpuiar Gorernmen'.
| VI. Il.
come. Should the Convention of Kansas adopt
! this principle, all will be settled harmonious
| ly, and, with the blessing of Providence, you
will retire triumphantly from your arduous,
| important, andresponSible station. The strict
ures of the Georgia and Mississippi Conyen-
| tions will then pass away, and be speedily for
! gotten.
! In regard to Georgia. our news from that
! State is becoming better every day. We have
not yet had time to hear much from Mississ-
| ippi Should you answer the resolution of
| the latter tcouid GdCise yOu to make the great
pTaRcLPLe Of tie submission Of the Constitution 10
! the bona fde residents Of Kansas cOnspicuousLy
| prominent On his you arU be arresisti6Ie.-
| 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 principle of non n-interierence at
! the foundation of the Kansas and Nebraska
| bill. 1t is strange that people at a 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 great
Democratic party there to maintain the Con-
/ StitutiOn and the laws, composed of prO-Sla-
very ard free state Democrats, and if the
majority should be against slavery, TO obtain
such constitutional provision will secure the
rights of shareholders in Missouri and other
States, and maintain all the laws guarding the
just rights of the South.
I'm ri IL.
cause of Judge Williams appointment We
supposed it would be peculiarly acceptable to
yourself, and that he might aid in carrying out
your policy.
Col. Cummings has been appointed Cover
nor of Utah. This will cause his place to be
vacant after the brief period required for set
thing up his business and | shall certainly be
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 until YOU are
out of the woods. Kansas is vastly more i'm
portant at the present moment than Utah. The
pressure upon me continues without inter
mission. | pray that Divine Providence. in
which place my trust, may graciously pre-
: serve my life, and my health until the end OF
my term. But Gods will be done in any
event.
With every sentiment of esteem
remain always sincerely your friend,
lSigned.l JAMES BUcHANAs
The tone and spirit Of this document
differ as widely from the subsequent con
duet of its author, in relation to Kansas
affairs, as day differs from night. How
. James buchanan could write this letter
and few months later exert all his power
in attempting to farce Constitution upor
Il