CHAPTER XVI.

PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION.

1853-1857.

THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL VIEWS.

Mr. Pierce held that negro slavery, in those states where it existed, was recognized by the constitution; that it stood on an equal footing with any other admitted right, and that the states wherein it existed were entitled to efficient remedies to enforce the constitutional provisions which protected it. He also declared his opinion, that the compromise measures, including the fugitive slave law, were strictly constitutional, and should be unhesitatingly carried into effect.

Congress met December 5, 1853, with an increased demoThirty-third Congress, cratic majority in both branches. In First Session. his message to this Congress the President disclaimed any purpose, on his part, of giving. prominence to any subject which might be properly regarded as set at rest by the deliberate judgment of the people. He thought the present bright with promise, but the future demanded the exercise of active intelligence in order that the dangers hitherto encountered might not fail to fulfill the objects of a wise design. He assured those who placed him in power, that the repose which the country was then enjoying should suffer no shock if he had power to avert it. And yet, despite these assurances, the country was just entering upon an era of the deepest and most intense agitation of the vexed question of slavery she had ever yet experienced.

KANSAS-NEBRASKA BILL.

During the last session of Congress an attempt had been made to organize the territory of Nebraska, but the bill having passed the House, failed to be acted on in the Senate. This territory was a part of the Louisiana purchase. From this purchase there had already been admitted into the Union five states, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arkansas, slave; Iowa and Minnesota, free. The question of slavery extension now received a new impetus.

In January, 1851, Senator Douglas, of Illinois, reported a bill to organize the territory of Nebraska. By an amendment to this bill the territory was divided into two parts, the one directly west of Missouri, and between the parallels of 37° and 40°, to be called Kansas, the other, lying just north of this, and between the parallels of 40° and 43°, to be called Nebraska. The compromise of 1820 prohibited slavery in both of these territories, but the present bill was so amended as to declare the Missouri line annulled by the compromises of 1850. These measures were declared to "rest upon the great principles of self-government," that the people should be allowed to decide for themselves the questions of their domestic institutions. The Douglas bill was advocated by the democratic party, which, being in the ascendency in both houses, carried the measure without difficulty. The free-soil party and the anti-slavery whigs contested the movement at every step. This division in the whig party proved its final destruction. The name "whig" was repudiated by the northern section of the party, who, for a time, were denominated antiNebraska men. The southern section managed to exist a few years longer, but being so nearly like the southern democracy on the question of slavery they could hardly be called a distinct party. The passage of this bill opened all the territo

ries to the introduction of slavery, if the citizens should so elect. Congress adjourned August 7, 1854.

Congress met December 4, 1854. During this session the Thirty-third Congress, question of internal improvements Second Session. came up again, but aside from that there was little party contest. Certain public improvements were provided for, and among them was the construction of military roads in the territories of Nebraska, Kansas, and Washington. This Congress also passed an act establishing a court for the investigation of claims against the United States; for the remodeling of the diplomatic and consular service of the United States; for granting bounty land to officers and soldiers for military service, and for the reduction of postage, fixing the rate on a single letter for three thousand miles, or less, at three cents; over that distance, at ten cents. A river and harbor bill was also passed, but the President vetoed it. Congress adjourned March 3, 1855.

TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE.

The repeal of the Missouri compromise, and organization of Kansas, opened that territory to the influx of contending populations—those from the slave states desiring to occupy it, while the northern states determined that it should be colonized with those opposed to slavery. The slaveholders of western Missouri, which lay between Kansas and the free states, had early gone over the line and pre-empted lands, at the same time warning free immigrants not to pass through Missouri.

The election of a delegate to Congress came off on the 29th of November, 1854. Armed bands of men came over from Missouri, and voting for their favorite candidate procured his election. On the 30th of March, 1855, occurred the election for members of the first legislature. The same tactics were repeated as in the previous election, and some four

or five thousand Missourians entered the territory and controlled the vote. Owing to the illegality of this election, Governor Reeder called for another election in six of the districts. This time the citizens, with the exception of one precinct, enjoyed their political rights.

When the legislature assembled at Pawnee, July 2, 1855, the seats of the members chosen at the second election were contested, except those from the precinct at which fraudulent votes had been cast. Subsequently every contested member was rejected, the certificates of the Governor being disregarded. The legislature thus organized, removed the seat of government to the Shawnee mission and began the work of enacting laws. They adopted the laws of the state of Missouri entire, adding some original laws which fixed the penalty of death for nearly fifty offenses against slavery. Governor Reeder, thinking that the administration would support him, refused to recognize the legislature.

TOPEKA CONSTITUTION.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Kansas, held August 15, 1855, at Lawrence, for consultation in reference to their political and social condition, resolutions were adopted requesting the bona fide citizens of the various districts to send delegates to a convention at Topeka, to consider the propriety of adopting a constitution and making application for admission into the Union. On the 19th day of September the proposed convention assembled and appointed an election for the second Tuesday of the following October, at which delegates should be chosen to a constitutional convention. This convention assembled at Topeka, on the 25th of October, 1855, and prepared a free-state constitution, which was ratified by the people on the 15th day of the next December. Kansas applied for admission into the Union under the Topeka con

stitution, but was refused. The election for state officers under this constitution was held Jan. 15, 1856. The state legislature, chosen at this election, met on the 4th of March, and, after organizing, adjourned till the 4th of July. There were now two legislatures in Kansas-one favoring, and the other opposing, slavery.

Congress met December 3, 1855. The democrats had a Thirty-fourth Congress, majority in the Senate, but in the First Session. House the anti-Nebraska men were in the lead. The Kansas troubles occupied the time during the greater part of this session. A committee was sent to Kansas "clothed with ample powers to make a thorough investigation of the alleged frauds in that territory. This committee, in an able and lengthy report, showed conclusively that no fair election had been held there at all. An army appropriation bill, with a proviso forbidding the use of the army in the interests of the pro-slavery legislature of Kansas, was passed by the House. The proviso was rejected by the Senate. Before the two Houses could come to an agreement the time for an adjournment (August 18, 1856) came, leaving the army bill unpassed. At an extra session of Congress, immediately called by the President, the army bill was passed without the proviso, and Congress again adjourned, August 30, 1856.

KANSAS WAR.

In a special message to Congress, sent January 24, 1856, the President recognized the pro-slavery legislature, and characterized the attempt to form a free-state government in the territories, without the consent of the federal authorities, as an act of rebellion. He then issued a proclamation advising all persons engaged in disturbing the peace of Kansas to retire to their homes; and United States troops were placed at the disposal of Governor Shannon to enforce the laws of the pro-slavery legislature. Forces were mustered on both sides,