Gov. Walker and the Administration

Governor Walker’s proclamation of the 10th October, throwing out the pretended votes returned from Oxford precinct, thereby giving to the Free State Party a majority in the Legislature, must commend itself to every reasonable mind. By the law, it is made the duty of the Secretary to examine the returns in the presence of the Governor, and to give to the persons having the highest number of votes, in their respective districts, certificates of their election to the Legislative Assembly. If the returns on their face be illegal, it would follow that the votes ought not to be received. The returns from Oxford precinct on their face were illegal; but both the Governor and Secretary, unwilling to deprive any portion of the People of their votes on account of technicalities, visited Oxford, went through Johnson county, and ascertained that the votes were not real, but simulated and fictitious. This was conclusive. Their obligations to the law, to the principles of Republicanism, good faith to the People of the Territory, a regard for the Peace of the Territory, and common honesty, required that they reject the returns. An opposite course would have stamped them as unscrupulous tools of Party, and would have justified the People of the Territory in any necessary measures to obtain justice. A community that would suffer itself to be stripped of its rights by so barefaced a fraud, would deserve to be enslaved.

Telegraphic dispatches from Washington report that the Administration is much exercised by this conduct of Governor Walker- that he has transcended his instruction- that he and Mr. Stanton will be removed, or at least reprimanded. Perhaps- but we do not believe it. Reprimand two officials for doing their duty- for refusing their sanction to an infamous fraud- for not counting votes which were never given! Should the Administration be guilty of such an indecency, it would deserve universal contempt and execration.