North Carolina Newspapers

PRESIDENTS JMtES8A$B. 7w the Senate and House ef Representatives ef tkt Utiiltd Stales: I have received (?n j. Calhoun, Esq., j president of the late coittlittttrehal conven tion of Kans&2$ A copy duly certified by him self, of the constitution framed by that body, with the expression of a hope that I would submit the same to tliQ consideration of Congress, "with the view of the admis sion of KaMas into the Union as an indepen dent State.1" In compliance with the re quest, 1 herewith transmit to Congress, for their action, the constitution of Kansas with the ordinance respecting the public lands, as well as the letter of Mr Calhoun, dated at Lccompton on the 14th ultimo, by which they were accompanied. Having received but a single copy of the constitution and or dinance, I send this to the Senate. 4V great delusion seems to pervade the pub lic mind in relation to the condition of par ties in Kansas. This arises from the difficulty of inducing the American people to realize the fact that any portion of them should be in a state of rebellion against the govern ment under which they live. AVhen we speaiv or tne anmrs ot Kansas, we are apt to reier merely to the existence of two violent political parties in that Territory, divided on the question of slavery, jtist as we speak of such parties in the States. This represents no adequate idea of the true state of the case. The dividing-line there is not between two political parties, both acknowl edging the lawful existence of the govern ment; but between those who are loyal to this government and those who have endea vored to destroy its existence by force and by usurpation between tho.se who sustain and those who have done all in their power to overthrow the territorial government established by Congress. This government they would long since have subverted had it been not protected from their as saults by the troops of the United States. Such has been the condition of affairs since my inauguration. Ever since that period a largo portion of the people of Kansas have been in a state of rebellion against the gov ernment, with a military leader at their head of a most turbulent and dangerous character. They have never acknowledged, but have constantly renounced and defiled the govern ment to which they owe allegiance, and have been all the time in a state of resis tance against its authority. They have all the time been endeavoring to subvert it and to establish a revolutionary government, under the so-called Topeka constitution; in its stead. Even at this very moment the Topeka legislature are in session. Who ever has read the correspondence of Gov. Walker with the State Department, recent ly commnnicatod to the Senate, Avill be con vinced that this picture is not overdrawn. He always protested against the withdrawal of any portion of the military force of the United States from the Territory, deeming its presence absolutely necessary for the preservation of the regular government and the execution of the laws, "in his very first despatch to the Secretary of State, "dated June 2, 1837, says: "The most alarming movement, however, proceeds from the as sembling on the Dth June of the so-called Topeka legislature with a view to the en actment of an entire code of laws. Of course it will be my endeavor to prevent such a result, as it would lead to inevitable and disastrous collision, and, in fact, renew the civil war in Kansas." This was with diffi culty prevented by the efforts of Gov Walk er; but soon thereafter, on the 14th of July we find him requesting Gen Harney to furn ish him a regiment of dragoons to" proceed to the city of Lawrence and this for the reason that he had received autheutic intel ligence, verified by his own actual observa tion, that a dangerous rebellion had occur red, "involving an open defiance of the laws and the establishment of an open insurgent government in that city." In the governor's despatch of July 15th he informs the Secretary of State, "that this movement at Lawrence was the beginning of a plan, originating in thatcitv, toorgan ize insurrection throughout the Territory; and especially in all towns, cities, or coun ties where the republican party have a ma jority. Lawrence is the hot-bed of all the movements in this Territory. It is the town established by the abolition societies of the l'.U?t. nn.l -l,;i.4. il ,11 llll3L mure are respectaoie peo ple there, it is filled by a considerable num ber of mercenaries who are paid bv aboli tion societies to perpetrate and diffuse agi tation throughout Kansas, and prevent a peaceful settlement of this question. Hav ing failed m inducing their own so-called lopeka State legislature to organize this insurrection Lawrence has commenced, it Jierself and, if not arrested, the rebellion will extend throughout tlie Territory." And again: "In order to send this com munication immediately by mail, I must close by assuring you that the spirit of re bellion m-cvaiiM La i publican party of this Territory, instigated, 1 "v sitaL muss 01 tne re - v.. udi tney are, by eastern societies, having ln view results mosl dipte rous to the government and to the Union; nnd that the continued presence of Gen Harney here is mdi3pau,ible) as oriirinall.. upuiaLou uy me watli a large body of dra- ouns iiiiu se erai oatteries: ua ine tn duly, 1857, Gen. Lane, under iius ttuwioniy oi ine lopeka convention, as lov. u alter lniornis us, "to oroaniye tho ivjioie o-tcineu iree otate party into volun teers, ana to take tlie names of all who vp fuse enrollment. The professed object is to protect the polls, at the election in Auo-ust . 1 fM ,-, O ot tne new insurgent lopeka State lensla tire." " 1 he object ot taking tile names of all who refuse enrol Imeirt is to terrify the free State conservative into submission. This is proved by recent atrocities committed on fiuch men by lopefcrotes. Hie speedy loca tion of large bodies of regular troops here with two batteries, is necessary The Law rence insurgents await the development o thisnew revolutionary military organiza tion," &c, &c. In the governor's despatch of July 27th, lie savs that "Gen. Lane and his staff every where deny the authority of the territorial laws, awd counsel a total disregard of these enactments, ' Without making further questions of a similar character from other despatches of Gov. Walker, it appears by a reference to Mr Stanton's communication to Gen. Cass, of the yth December last, that the impor tant step of calling the legislature together was taken after I he had become satisfied that the election ordered by the convention on the 21st inst., could not be conducted without collision and blood shed.'' So in tense was the disloyal feeling among the otiflmips OT the orovernment established by Congress, that an election which afforded them an opportunity, if in the majority, of making Kansas a free-State, according to their own professed desire, could not be conducted without collision and bloodshed! The truth is, that, up till the present mo ment, the enemies of the exi.-sting govern ment still adhere, to their lopeka revolution ary constitution and government, ine very first paragraph, of the message of Gov. Lob-' inson, dated on the 7th December, to the Topeka legislature now assembled at Law rence, contains an open defiance of the constitution and laws of the U. States. The I Governor says: "The Convention which. Lframed the Constitution at Topeka origina ted with the people of Kansas territory. They have adopted and ratified the -same twice by a direct vote, and also indirectly thro' two elections of the State officers and members of the State legislature. Yet it has pleased the administration to regard the whole proceeding revolutionary." This Topeka government, adhered to with such treasonable pertinacty, is a govern ment in direct opposition to the existing o-overnment prescribed and recognized by Congress. It is a usurpation ot the same i n .i character as it would be for a portion of the . people of any State of the Union to under take to establish a separate government, within its limits, for the purpose of rcdres inr any grievance, real or imaginary, of which thev might complain, against the legi timate State government. Such a principal if carried into execution, would lawful authority and produce universal an archy. Front this stntemcnt of ficts: the reason be comes palpable why the enemies of the iroveru- mpnt. authorized bv Coiiaress have refused to ! vote for delegates to the Kansas constitutional convention, and also afterwards on the question of slavery submitted by it to the people. It is bornnsfi thev have ever refused to sanction or recognise any other institution than that fram ed at Topeka. Had the whole Lccompton Constitution been submitted to the people, the adherents of this organization' would thus have removed an ob stacle out of the way of their own revolution ary constitution. They would have done this not upon a consideration ot the merits of the whole or any part of the Lccompton constitution but simply because they have .ever resisted the authority of the government authorized by Con gress, from which it emanated. Such being the unfortunate condition of af fairs in the territory, what was the right as well as the duty of the law abiding people? Were they silently and patiently to submit to the To peka usurpation, or adopt the necessary meas ures to establish a constitution under the au thority of the organic law of Congress? That this law recognized the risht of the people of the territory, without any enabling act from Congress, to form a State constitution is too clear for argument. For Congress "to leave the people of the territory perfectly free," in framing their constitution' "to form and regu late their domestic institutions in their own way, subject only to the constitution of the United States;" and then to say that they shall not be permitted to proceed and frame a constitution in their own way without an express authority from Congress, appears to be almost w contra diction in terms. It would be much more plausible to contend that Congress had no pow er to pass such an enabling act, than to argue that the people of a territory might be kept out of the Union for an indefinite period, and until it might jdease Congress to permit them to exercise the right of self government. This would be to adopt not "their own way," bat the way which Congress might prescribe. It is impossible that any people could have proceeded with more regularity in the forma tion of a constitution than the people of Kansas have done. It was necessary, first, to ascer tain whether it was the desire of the people to be relieved from their territorial dependence and establish a State government. For this purpose, the territorial legislature, in 1855, passed a law "for taking the sense of the peo ple of the Territory upon the expediency of cabin"- a convention to form a Slate constitu tion" at the general election to be held in Octo ber, 1856. The "sense of the people" was ac-j cordingly taken, and they decided in favor of a convention. It is true that at this election the enemies of the territorial government did not vote, because they were then engaged at lo peka, without the slightest protext of lawful authority, in framng a constitution or tueir, own for the purpose of subverting the tcrri o-i rial government. In pursuance of this decision of the people in favor of a convention, the territorial legislature, on the 21th day of Febrnary, 1857, passed an act for the election of delegates on the third Monday of June 1857, to frame a btate con stitution. Th law is as lair in its provis ions as any that ever passed a legislative body for a similar purpose. I he nglit ot suf frage at this election is clearly and justly de fined. "Every bono, fide inhabitant ot the Ter ritory of Kansas" on the third ATonday of June, the day of the election, who was a citizen of the United States above1 the age of twenty-one, and had resided therein for three months pre vious to that date, was entitled to vote. In or der to avoid all interference from neighboring States or Territories with the freedom and fairness of the election, provision was made for the registry of the qualified voters; 'and, in pursuance thereof, nine thousand two hundred and fifty-one voters were registered. Gover nor Walker did his whole duty in urging all the qualified citizens of Kansas to vote at this election. In his inaugural address, on the 27th May last, he informed them that "under our practice the preliminary act of framing a State constitution is uniformly performed throjgh the instrumentality of a convention of delegates chosen by the people themselves. That con vention is now about to be elected by you under the call of the territorial legislature, created and still recognized by the authority of Con gress, and clothed by it, in the comprehensive languageof the organic law, with full power to make such an enactment. The territorial leg islature, then, in assembling this convention, were fully sustained by the act of Congress, and the authority of the convention is distinctly recognised in my instructions from the Presi dent of the United States. " The governor also clearly and distinctly warns them what would be the consequences if they should not participate - m tue election. Hie , i i w " "- I '"Will ZL nUtl UILTIIIV RHII aillll people of Kansas, then, (he says,) are mvUMlfcaflfered the election to 'n lJLu ?D by the highest authority known to tiie consti tution to participate, freely nnd fairly, in the election of delegate to frame a constitution ana State government. The law has performed its entire appropriate function when it extends to the neonle the ri-rht of snfFrnse, but it cannot compel the performance t tiiat out our Whole Union, however i dm 3. , iind ro n-bi- - i neicver.-Wrirmly free government pv a-evans, U ose w nbt ,m or ti.rijr.lt Oi siwrag. au;' do vote to act tor them lit . "i from the exercise of thorize tho-e who that cojitinev ; and ( lie absentees are-as niuch bound, nndeV the law and constitution, w Mere t there is no fraud or violence, by the act ot tlie.it he unhappy differences in Kansas. If frauds majority of those who do vote, as if all had par- have been committed at this election, either by ticipated in the election. Otherwise, as voting one or both parties the legislature and the peo mnt be voluntary: sel f-LTOveriinieut would be, pie of Kansas, under their constitution, will impracticable, and monarchy or despotism would remain as th oalv alternative." It may also be observed, that at ihis period anr lmno if "such had e'vi t ed . 1 ha t t he Lo-ekal. n.M,ti;tntmn lvnnlil nvov lio recognised by Con gress, must have been had adjourned on the having recognised the territorial legislature abandoned. Congress 1 31 of March previon le'rnl exi-tenee of the,i in a variety of forms which I need not enumerate. Indeed, the '-ele-fliey in gate elected tothe House 01 i.epie"i'V',io!istiru!ion, wincii is republican 111 its rorm. 11 Js 1 idMutteds nf tlmJr P0fr,fi tr sii hiiiit to hi W- ' ful authority and vote at the election of authority and vote at the election or dcie- j gites may yet prove to he of a most deplorable j J J I - . i orvHiTAr 'jvi-t .f 1-1 .- r inn toc rwi i nil i ik r T.. . , i !l'C At tiin binr irho. i ort nmtnont I' n:r lfr 1 S under a territorial law, had been aamitiea kr Uflmgress to ueciue whether tney will admit or his sea and La.ljwt ' completed hi--ttjx&9ejhe State which has thn?rbeen created. For service on" the dav iWevionS to my inauguratloai my part I am decidedly m favor of its ad This was the propitious moment for settling j n , and thus termmating the Kansas question. , . .' -.1 nn- .,, ,1. :, 1 1 his will carrv out the great principle ot non- nil diPRenlties in Tv.'ins;! I US WaStliS time ; . , . . r t au uimtumcs in jvan.as in.- i intervention recognized and sanctioned by the or- for abandoning the revolutionary lP ffttnic act, which declares in express language in ganization, and for the enemies of the existing; favoi. 0f "non-intervention bj- Congress with slave government to conform to the laws, and to j rv ju t10 state or Territories," leaving "the peo unite with its friends in framing a .State cons-, plo thereof perfectly to regulate their domestic in titution. But this thev refused to do, and the I stitutions in their own way, subject 011I3' to the ed the men of the past generation could be re- throughout the whole conntrjr. vived ! It is a disregard and violation of law f It is proper that I should" briefly refer to the which have for years kept the territory of Kan- j election held under the act of the Territorial legis sas in a state of almost open rebellion against ! lature, on the first Monday of Jauuaiy last, on the its government It is' the same spirit which ! Leeompton constitution. This election was held has produced actual rebellion in Utah. Our J Slft0r the Territory had been prepared for admis Ohlv safety consists in obedience nnd con for- "on Htotlie Union, as a sovereign State, and when destroy allimlty 'aw- Should a general spirit against -j - its enforcement prevail, this will prove fatal to us as a nation. We acknowledge no master but the law; and should we cut loose from its restraints, and every one do whatstemeth good in his own c'es, our case will indeed be hope less. j The enemies of the territorial government j determined still to resist the authority of Con- gress. They refuse to vote fur delegates to the j convention not because, from circumstances which I need net detail, there was an omission to register the comparatively few voters who were inhabitants of certain counties in Kansas in the early spring of 1857, but because they , had predetermined at all hazards to adhere to j their revolutionary organization, ami defeat the j establishment ot that which thev a n y hail other constitution tl 1 l",u I lian The framed at , 1 nil I lopelill. 1 lie j clcctiou was. therefore, suffered to pass by de- fault; but of this result the qualified electors who refused t vote, can never justly complain, From this review, it is manifest that the Eo - compton convention according to every nrinei - pie of constitutional law was legally constitut- ed and wa? invested constitution. with power ' " tO frame a The sncred principle of popular sovereignty has been invoked in favor of the eue'mies of law and order in Kansas. But in what manner is popular sovereignty to be exercised in this coun try", if not through the instrumentality of estab lished law? In certain small republics of an cient times the people did assemble in primary meetings passed laws, and directed public af- lairs. In our country this is uiain.c sible. Popular sovcrcigt.t v can be here only thron-ah the i :! : people will refuse to exercise, it in t! as they have done in Kansas at Un pos- ised exs .1 if the manner, ctio'i of delegates, it is not f .! f iiern to (omnium that their rights have been violated. The Kansas convention, thus lawfully consti tuted, proceeded to frame a constitution- and having completed their work, finally adjourr.ed on the 7th day of November last. Thev did not think proper to submit the whole of this constitution to a popular vote; but they did , .1 . 1 ,1. TT- . l...,l.l l.rt suomit ine quesuon v neiner "'V,'1."" " a iree or siave rTare, to tuc peopie. im-. uj the question which had convulsed the Union and shaken it to its very centre. This was the question which had lighted up the flames of civil" war in Kansas; and had produced dange rous sectional parties throughout the confede racy. It was of a character so paramount in respect tothe condition of Kansas, as to rivet the anxious attention of the people of the whole country upon it, and it alone. No person thought of any other question. For my own part, when I instructed Governor Walker, in general terms, in favor of submitting the con stitution to the people, I had no object in view except the all-absorbing question of slavery. In what manner the people of Kansas might regulate their other concerns, was not a sub ject which attracted any attention. In fact, the general provisions of our recent State con stitutions, after an experience of eighty years, are so similar and so excellent, that ii would be difficult to go far wrong at the present day m framing a new constitution. -T then believed, and still believe, that under the organic act, the Kansas convention were boundto submit this all-important question of sbivervto the people. It was never However v t . - - J I my opinion that independently of this act they been bound to submit any portion of the constitution to a popular vote in order to give it validity. Had I entertained such an opinion this would have been in opposition to the principle which pervades onr institutions and which is every day carried out into practice that the people have the right to delegate to representatives, chosen hy themselves, their sovereign power to frame constitutions, enact aws and perform many other important acts, without requiring that these should be subjoc to their subsequent approbation. It would be a most inconvenient limitation of their own power, imposed by the people upon themselves to exclude them from exercising their sov ereignty in any lawful manner they think proper. It is true that the people of Kansas might, if they had pleased, have required the convention to submit the constitution to a popular vote; but this they have not done. The only remedy therefore in this case, is that which exists in no other similar cases. If the delegates who framed the Kansas constitution have in any manner violated the will of their constituents the people always possess the power to change their constitution or their laws, according to their own pleasure. The question of slavery was submitted to an election of the people of Kansas o the 21st of December last in obedience to the mandate of the constitution. Here again, a fair opportu nity was presented to the adherents of the To peka constitution if they were the majority to decide this exciting question "in their own . mi d thus restofe Peace to tho distrffeted territory; but thev rtheir riirl.t nf JT : ... i inei lection to nasx bv default. neartny reioice that a wiser and better i j ppirit prerailed amonir a large majority of these l'P' ' me nrst Monday ot January; and that they did on that day, vote under the TjP- COH)ptoii constitution for governor and other ; State ofllcers, a member of coiiaress and fr -h-UMfcinbers of the legislature. This election way, " an was Wote was polled than at any previous election m tlie territory. We may now reasonably . hope that the revolutionary Topeke organization . -..-. ... will be speedily anl finally abandoned. and j Ins wdl go far towards the final seiuement oi know how to redress themselves and punish these detestable but too common crimes without any outside interference. . The people of Kansas have then, "in their own wffr," and in strict accordance with the no' framed a constitution and State government; nave submitted the nU-imoortant question ot slave ry to the people, and have elected a governor, a member to represent them in Congress, members of the State legislature, and other State officers. now ask admission into the Union under this fcr constitution ot the L liiteci states." an Tins manner yu u tjeiiuu y1 ' ' V ' - 7 T a U n ; "tinr, ni'rv -i-jif i-irr !nivinnc r vnof'TP.n that, this nilOT10Tl j . - - " - - - ,. would bo banished from tho the'Iiails ot congress, i . . . overfed a baneful influence no authority existed 111 the territorial legislature which couil possibly destroy its existence or change its character'. The election, which was peaceably conducted under my instructions, in volved a strange inconsistency. A large majority of the persons who voted against the L.ecompton constitolion, were at the ver- same time and placr recognising its valid ezistence in tho most solemn and authentic manner, by voting under its provis ions. I have yet received no official information of the result of this election. As a question ef expediency, after the right has been maintained, it may be wise to reflect upon the benefits to Kansas and to the whole country which would result from its immediate admission into the Union, as well as the disasters which may follow its rejection. Domestic peace win oe tne happy consequence ot its admission, and that ime I erritorv, which has hitherto been torn by dissen- H II . Til sions, win rapnuv increase 111 population anu weairn ,..'.1 1:1.. 1:..., 1.1.'. ..,. 1 ..,v, r,... .. Mill M.n rill 1 V I i'ilii.'.l- Hit nil ."'Mlli; lllil nil" iiiinutii? ,!,.,, f,.n ,-., ., fv.,:,, ,10.v,VidOii-..l nnd mocbmii- ; in,illstrv. Tlie peoplevill then be sovereign, j al,d can regulate their own affairs in their own way. j if a majority of them desiie to abolish domestic j slavery within the State, there is no other possible : mode by which this can be effected so speedily as ! hy prompt admission. The will of the majority is ' supreme aim 11 resisnoie w non cpi efcu 111 an ir- 1- r-ii - i 1-. dcrlViaiid lawful manner. JL hey can make ana e constitutions at pleasure. It would be absurd to say that thev can impose fettes upon their own power which they cannot afterwards re- move. It they could do this thev might tie their own hands for-100 as well as for " years. These are fundamental principles of American freedom, and are recognised, I believe, in some form or other, by every State constitution; and if Congress, ! in the act of admission, should think proper to re- j cognise them, I can perceive no objection to such a course. This has been done emphatically in the ! constitution or Kansas. It declares in the lull ot rights that '-ai; political power is innerent m tne) people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their benefit, and therefore they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish their firm of government in such manner as they may think proper." The great State of New York is at this moment governed under a constitution framed and established in direct opposition to the mode prescribed by the previous constitution. If therefore, the provision changing the Kansas con stitution, after the year one thousand eight lmn ; dred ond sixtv-four, could by .possibility be con- i strued into a prohibition to make such a change previous to that period, this prohibition would be wholly unavailing. The legislature already elected may, at its very first session, submit the question to a vote of the people whether they will or will not have a. convention to amend their constitution, and adopt all necessary means for giving effect to the popular will. It has been solemnly adjudged by the highest judicial tribunal known to our laws, that slavery exists in Kansas by virtue of the constitution of the United States. Kansas is. therefore, at this moment as much a slave State as Georgia or South Carolina. Without this the equality of the Sover eign States composing the Union would be viola ted, and the use and enjoyment of a territory ac quired by the common treasure of all the States, would be closed against the people and property of nearly half the members of the confederacy. Slave ry, therefore, ecu never be prohibited in Kansas except by means of a constitutional provision, and n no other manner can this be obtained so prompt y, if a majority of the people desire it, as by ad mitting it into the Union under its present consti tution. On the other hand should Congres reject the con stitution, under the idea of affording the disaffected in Kansas a third opportunity of prohibiting slave- ; r ;n the State, which they might have done twice j before if in the majority, no man can foretell the consequences. It Congress, tor the sake 01 those men wiio re fused to vote for delegates to the convention when they might have excluded slavery from the con stitution, and who afterwards refused to vote on the 21st December last, when they might, as they claim, have stricken? slavery from the constitution, should now reject the State because slavery re mains in the constitution, it. is manifest that the agitation upon this dangerous subject will be . re newed in a more alarming form than it has ever yet assumed. Every patriot in the country had indulged in the hope that the Kansas and Nebraska act would put a final end to the slavery agitation, at least in Congress, which had for more than twenty years convulsed the country and endangered the Union. This act involved great and fundamental principles and if fairly carried into effect will settle the question. Should the agitation be again revived, should the people of the sister States be again es tranged from each other with more than their for mer bitterness, this will arise from a cause, so far as the interests ofKansas are concerned, more tri fliriT and insignificant than has ever stirred the elements of a great people into commotion. To the people of Kansas, the only practical difference between admission or rejection, depends simply upon the fact whether they can themselves more sneedilv change the present constitution if it does not accord with the will of the majority, or frame a second constitutiou to be submitted to Congress hereafter. Even if this were a question of mere expediency, and not of right, the small difference of time, one way or the other, is of not the Least importance when contrasted with the evils which must necessarily result to the whole country from a revival of the slavery agitation. In considering this question, it should never be forgotten that, in proportion to its insignificance, i . . , i . ""'L "o'"cu an unuue proportion or puuno at- contested bv the parties, and a l r. i tention. ti, u.. ,n . .k. .l. ct the decision be what it may, so far as it may affect the few thousand inhabitants of Kansas who have from the beginning resisted the constitution and laws, for this very reason the rejection of the constitution will be so much the mere keenly felt by the people of fourteen of the States of the Unionf where slavery is recognised under the constitution of the United States. Again: The speedy admission of Kansas into the Lnioii would restore peace and quiet to the whole (country. Already the affairs of the Territory nave eiiTrnoil nn :. f ,.1 i;,. onsof the people of the States with each other, "Waied the fears of patriots for the safety of ue Lm.n- Kansas once admitted into the Union, 1I! f VCl trim --v a. 1- . awiv fV,i- .wf ecomos localized, and will soon die want of outside aliment. Then dimcultv will i. I , , . ilJ every I shall then be enabled "to" 3. "m.-? is iiii I I Ml t II I r tt;...i o ,""".v .ol,i:e9 Irom Kansas, and cmnW il..n . .. urre iney are much needed They have been kept there, on the earnest Lnntr tumty of Gov Walker, to maintain the exUtei.c of the territorial government and secure the execution t the laws. lie considered that at least two thou sand regular troops, under the. command of Gen iraiiciir.i ioy, w i i? t - . narney, were necessary tor this purpose. Acting upon his reliable information, I have been obliged in some degree, fo interfer'ejwith the expedition to Utah, in order to keep down rebellion in Kansas. This has involved a very heavy expense to the go vernment. Kansas once admitted, it is believed there will no longer be an 3-occasion there for troops Gt the United States. I have thus performed my duty on this important question, under a deep sense of responsibility to God and my c'ountrj'.- My public life will termi nate within a brief period; and I have no other ob ject of earthly ambition than to leave ni' country in a peaceful and proerous condition, and to live in the affections and respect of my countrymen. The i dark and ominous clouds which now appear to be impending over the L 111011, 1 conscientious!' believe may be dissipated with honor to every portion of it, hy the admission of Kansas during the present ses sion of Congress; whereas if she should be rejected, I greatly fear these clouds will become darker and more ominous than an- which have cve-et threa tened the constitution and the Union. JAMES BUCHANAN. Washington, February, 2. 1858. Democratic Meeting in Mecklenburg. Pursuant to previous notice, a portion of the Democrats of Mecklenburg county assembled at the Court House in Charlotte 011 the 2Gth ult., for the purpose of appointing delegates to the Democratic State Convention to be held in Charlotte on the 14th April next. On motion, John Walker, Esq., was called to the chair,- and Wm. J. Yates, appointed Secretary The object of the meeting having been ex plained, on motion of It. 1'. Waring, Esq., the ! Chairman was requested to appoint a commit-j tee of five to prepare resolutions for the action i of the meeting. The chairman appointed W. j M. Matthews, J. M. Hutchison, J. M. Potts,! 11. P. Warring and Wm. J. Yate: who after i consuitation, reported the following prei'.m!;le and resolutions: Whereas the State Executive Committee have selected Charlotte as the place for the assembling of the Democratic State Conven tion of North Carolina to nominate a candidate for Governor, therefore, esolved, 2 hat the Demoeny of .Mecklen burg unite in extending to their brethren in ail parts of the State a cordial invitation to meet them in Convention on the 14th of April next. Resolved, That the Chairman of this meet- j nig appoint 100 delegates to represent t lie co., j of Mecklenburg in said Convention, j Resolved, That, reposing entire confidence j in the Convention, and believing that it will j select none other than an honest, capable ami j faithful Democrat to bear the democratic stan dard in the approaching canvass, we til edge 'our hearty support to the nominee of the Cou i vention. j Resolved, That we adhere to the ancient land-marks of the Democratic faith to State- lugnis anu strict construction to those priu- ciples which have for so long a time. and so often, received the approbation and endorse ment, of the American people, and that we de clare our unalterable opposition to any and all schemes tending to divert the public domain from the purposes contemplated by the Federal Constitution; believing that the public lands, and the revenue derived therefrom; should be applied exclusively to defraying the legitimate expenses of the General Government. Resolved, That our present Chief Magistrate Thomas Bragg, by his faithful administration of the State government, and his devotion to the interests of the people, deserves the appro bation of all good citizens, and we hereby len der our cordial approval of his course. Resolved, That we endorse the course of our Representative in Congress, lion. Burton Craige, as well as that of the entire democrat ic delegation from this State. Resolved, That the administration of James Buchanan meets our hearty endorsement that he has been tried and not found wanting and that especially, we will stand by the man who stands by the Leeompton Constitution. On motion of W. A. Owens, Esq , the reso lutions were unanimously adopted. . The Chairman then appointed the following gentlemen as delegates: Win Ileid, J M Potts, T N Alexander, W M Mathews, Win Ma'xwell, J Miller, 11 P Warring, li AVallace, II M Prichard, Wilson Wallace, Hugh Kfrkpatrick, John E Brown, W A Owens, S II Kirkpatrick, David Parks?, T T Johnson, S A Har ris. J P Boss, T II Brem, It Peoples, 11 II Swarm G W Caldwell, W S Prather, W A Harrison, A C Williamson, Silas Tedd W H Walker, II LaF Alexander, I Grier, W L Houston, J M Hutchison J S Uribhle, W Wallace, W Ii Mvers, Z Morris, M N Hart W F Davidson, Zenas " A Grier, A H Brown, S W Davis, Alex Cooper, It M White, F Phifer, liich'd Kozzell, Joseph Erwin, E O Grier, David Allen, B Morvow. J li Kerr, Thos Hunter, B H Garrison, J K Harrison, Col T Hunter, T T Sandier, C J Fox, James Johnson, F H Maxwell, A C Steele, T C Neel, Wm McComb, M D L Me Leod, C T Alexander, J A Cannon, T C Gillespie, Chas G Alexander, J B Stewart, Jas A Sadler, II II Peoples, S II Elliott, 11 II Maxwell, AV S Norment, G W McDonald, S A Davis, J M Strong W J Kerr; S Ar Morrow, AV"m G Garrison, J P Heath, F AV AVilliamson AVui Patterson, T B Price, J II AArhite, Jas Johnston, S J Lowrie, I N Alexander. E A McCaulev, J II Gibbon, Capt, John Kirk, E B D Sloan, C Flow, Harvey, AVal lace, AVm Stiuson, iM M Orr, J Ar lloss, W Stitt, Ezekiel Johnson, J B Robertson, Arthur Grier. On motion of A C Williamson, Esq., the Chairman and Secretary were added to the delegation. The Meeting was addressed by W A Owens, and Wm. J Kerr, Esq'rs, in short aud appropriate speeches. On motion of Col. J M Potts, David Parks, Esq., ( Mayor of the Town) J. M Hutchison, Edwin A. Yates, AV" A Owens ai.d AVra. J. Kerr, were appointed a Committee to prepare a place for the assembling of the Convention, and to make such other arrangements as may be thought necessary. It was ordered that the proceedings of the meet ing be published in the Western Democrat, and that other democratic papers be requested to copy. " JOHN WALKER, Ch'n. Wm. J. Yates, Sec'y. The virtue of prosperity is temperance the virtne of adversity is fortitude. Democratic Meeting in Catawbi County. tt a Democratic Meeting held in Newton, at the January County Court, on motion of J P. llowe, Capt. T. W. Bradburn was called to the Chair, and O. M. Yoder was appointed Secretary.. Upon a call from the Chairman Wm. Lan der, Esq., in his usual eloquent manner, ex plained the object of the meeting. The following resolutions, which were inrto duced by George Setzer, Esq., and upon which David Schenuck, Esq., of Gaston, being called by the meeting, delivered a highly appropriate; address, were unanimously adopted. Wheteas, The Democratic Contention to nominate a candidate for Governor will soon meet, and as the people of Catawba desire to be represented m said Convention, therefore, Resolved, That the Chairman of this meet-r ing appoint one hundred delegates to represent us in said Convention. Kesclved, That we heartily endorse the Ad ministration of President Buchanan, and that we will do all in our power to aid him in carrv-' nig out the principles of the Cincinnati and Baltimore platforms. Resolved, That Governor Bragg has natri- ilvl miwuuuy periurmeu the responsi ble duties devolved upon him, and that he de serves the thanks of every true North Caroli nian, on his retirement of office Resolved, That North Carolina is able, and" that she should complete her system of Inter nal Improvements, already commenced. Resolved, That we are. entirely opposed to Distribution, as unconstitutional and unjust; and that we will do all in our power to defeat the measure. Resolved, That the Hon. John W Ellis by his unswerving devotion to the principles of our party and the true interests of tho State, as well as by his ability, patriotism, and in tegrity, has endeared himself to the Democracy of North Carolina; and that, while we are wil ling to support any true Democrat, we suggest his name to the Convention as our first choice for the nomination. Resolved, Tlmt these proceedings be pub lished in the Republican JJanner; and that the other Democratic papers: of the State be re quested to copy'. In compliance 'with the first resolution, the following delegates were appointed : IT C" . ..Ml t 1 n ii oi;i-i.-.ii, v u i:ioiig, A U ran. James Cline, Daniel Cline, Sen., John Hoke, Sen., Prank lloke, Sen., Frank Hoke, Jr , Dr. P Youiit, II. Yo.11 ut, Esq., Lafayette Yount, F Yount, Jo.-hua Little, M Moser, G G llat.cl, II Ingold, Eq., Eli Sigman, David Miller, C W Herman, Esq., Capt. Wm. Herman, Henry Herman, James Setzer, C llenkel, Wm. Long, Esq., J J Sliiif'ord, L Shnford, F Viirner, Dr. Powel, Jos. Lowrarce, Esq., John llov, Dr. Gibson, Dr. Sherriil. J Caldwell, Esq.". Wm. Caldwell, Thos Wilkinson, Esq.. G W Rontli, .1 J WilM.n. Fraik Setzer. Dr. 11 W Conner. John Lutes. Abe-! Boiick Yoder, Hall, Rhone. Kii'ioii, John Whitcner, J Lutes, X Mid. J Bust, P Burns, Esq , C Frazier, Fry', A S Robinson, II Rcinhanit, D , Geo. Setzer, Sr., (J Setzer, Jocob J Yoder, I" Warlick, J Mosteilcr, J Isaac Johnson, W Bandv, A Mull, J r, D .Mn Her, John Ward, D Seittz, G D iiiteiier, Wilson, I) J J Sigmon, M M Wilson. G 11 Seitz, D Leonard, Robert Helton, T L Lowe. John II Robinson. F I) Reiiilnirdf. R Setzer, D Setzer, John Wilfong, (i M Wil long, Jethro Robinson, David Robinson, I) H rWhitener. II A Forney. J W Gaifher. D Rowe, P Rowe, M Herman, Lawsou Fry, M Cline, Henry Cline, D Smyer, Eli Smycr. On motio:-, the President and Secretary' were added to the list of delegates. T. W. BRADBURN, President. G. M. 1 onion Secretary. Superior Courts Sp.-ing Circuits. The Judges of the Supreme Courts of this State will ride the Spring Circuits as follows : Edeuton Circuits, Judge Die! Newbern, Raleigh, llillsboro, AVilmington, Salibury, Mountain, Caldwell E11L-. Saunders. Manlv. Bailey. Person. Stand anl. Rol SFIf nobler sentiments than the following, says the New York Mirror, which were uttered by Daniel ATcbster, ever fell from human lips, we have yet to see them They are, indeed, pearls of the rarest value, which should be cherished in the very heart of hearts by every one: It is only shallow minded pretenders who make distinguished origin cither a matter of personal honor or personal reproach. A man who is not ashamed of himself need not be ashamed of his ear!' coudition. It did happen tome to be bom in a log cabin, raised among the 5iiow drifts of New Hampshire at a period so early that when the smoke first rose from its chimney, and curled over the frozen hills there was no similar evidence of a white man's habitation between it and the settclmeut on the rivers of Canada'. Its remains still exist; I make it an annual visit. I carry my children to it, and teach them the hardship ci pnrcd by the generation before them. I love to dwell 0,1 the tender recollections, the kindred ties, the early affections, and the narrations and inci dents which mingle with all I know o this qrim itive family abode. I weep to think that none of those who in hapited it are now among the living; and if ever I fail in affectionate venera tion for him who raised it and defended it against savage violence and destructions, cher ished all domestic comforts beneith its roof, and through the fire and blood of seven years' rev olutionary war, shrunk from no toil, no sacri fice to serve his country and loraise his children' for a condition bitter than his own may my name and the name of posterity be blotted from the memory of mankind. . a . . The Gold Coi.vage of the United States, Since the establishment of the Mint in 1102, according to the American Almanac, the amount 01 goia coin issued to tne close or 104'J, was $79,923,202; from I860 to the close of 1857, it was $425,889,738; making a total gold coi nage of $505,812,940. At the commencement of 1850, the amount of specie in the United States was estimated to be $114,000,000; the amount of gold received from California, tothe close of 1857; has ben estimated t be $630,000,000; the amount of specie brought into the country by emigrants during the last eight years is estimated to be 100,000,000; making a total of $884,000,000. AVithin the last eight years according to the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, there have been exported in specie (Jess imports) $200,983,860; leaving the amount existing, at the present time, in the United States, in the shape of coin, ballion4 plate, Jewelry, &c, of $643,016,140. Prior, to the discovery of the California mines, the United States were importers of the precious metals; but since that event the posi tion has been reversed. 'Who knows what a day may bring forth?' as the man said, when he woke up in the morn ing and found himself in the gutter.