The Arkansas banner., 1848-03-14
PErER skES SMITH, Esq.
The Wilmst Proylso.

nSVernHfefltt at pest, fS Dut necessary etkAs that government is the best under which the people the authors and origin of power, retain to themselves nearly possible under their own control the power of legislation. This Is the true essence and spirit of Democracy, and every unnecessary delega- ton of this power removes sill farther from the objects of republican form of government, by in- ercasng that greatest of all dangers to fhe tights and liberties of the people, the consolidation of power. The present Cong will probably be called upon to decide question regarding this delegation or power, of much more Importance to every republi can citizen than the justice the injustice of the Mxican war, the propriety of acquiring territory; question involving States rights in the decision of which, precedent Is to be established, which will determine whether :he people of each State. as aa individual member of the union, have the right to legsIa,e and establish for themselves particular and independent policy for thcir internal regulation; or whether the general government has inherent in it. self the power to annul, modify dictate the laws by which the internal policy of each State shall be regulated. The Wilmo, Proviso, which will pro. bably be again brought before Congress in connec- ton with the settlement of the terms of peace with Msxico will, ifnot Immediately at least medately, present the question.
 The answer appears plain. for he would d. once be "written down an ass,'' who would pretend to deny the broad proposition, 10 assert that the General governmnt has any constitutional right to interfere with the established relations of husband and wife in Massachusetts, or of parent and child in Psnnsyl- vana, yet the sapient advocates of the Wimot Pro- viso have made distinction too nice for any but themselves to perceive, between these "rights of persons" and insist that the general government has the right to alter or amend the relations between master and servant n e territories belonging to the United States. If the right exists with regard the territories why not we'll with regard to the States! Have the Inhabitants of the terrtnies net rights well as those who live in constituted Sta,es7 The executive power in the government of the territories is doubtless vested in the general government, but the legislative power iih regard to their internal guiati36 of right as nat ,Fiiiy pertains Co these who are to be governed as 10 any other set of men who constitute portion ot the Union. The first principles of Democracy, the spirit of our national constitution teach us that a men are born free ani equal" and capable of selfgovernment nor is it ne cessary for the enjoy ment of the benefits of this de- claratioa that their numbers should be sufficient for
 
 them to be erected into State. It sa boo;iess ar gument to say that the government has acted thus ani so, and therefore should aci so asainone wrong never justify anothCrand it ma tsrs not whether there be one hundred thousand or but one hundred forming the population of separate jurisdiction, they still have theirrights men, as citizens of free republic to adopt for themselves the system by which their personal rights and relations shall be regulated Ii this doctrine of the power in the general govern
 ent ocxeesc entire control the persons of the inhabitants of the territories be allowed to prevail oriiori it will apply with eqaal force to c ahab tants of the States and our States rights our oer ties men and sseemen are taken from us, and we are made the mere tools and puppets of an cleo tive dcsp,iism Many of the people of the NORTH blind ed by their zeal for the abolition of evil that sxsts and without any fault of ours, and with the sanction of the fathers Of the repubiic has, from the begin ing existed among us. madly urging ihe adoption of this Proyiso. Let every republican examine it carefully. not only in the abstract but in Its practical effects and consequences and, when tested by that ioach.stooe of Democratic faith. 'the people have the light to gcvern," it's dangerous tendency will be as plain and iti nsuiriency and aliaey as clear as the sun at noon.