Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-08


distinctly understood that it took the ground have
taken, that the inhabitants of Territory have right subject
Of the limitations Of the constitution, regulate the
subject of slavery for themselves and especially the
peal directed to the Southern Senators who here the
time the letter appeared of whom, and especially the
Senator from South Carolina (Mr BUTLER) and the Sena-
tor from Mississippi, Mr. DAvI) sigHifed their to my
proposition. will read portion of the letter show that
ought not to be misunderstood Speaking s the right 10
establish Territorial Government, say;
But certain il is that the principle Of interference should
not be carried beyond the necessary implication which
ernments for countries acquired seed and to the
necessary provision tor their eventual admission the
Union leaving, the mean ine to the people inlabihng
them TO regulate their Internal IN their Icay
Is there this floor who has now any doubt
to the true Interpretation Of this letter Now that the excite
ment OF election passed away and all look cooy
at things they there any here elsewhere who
can any other construction upon this letter than that which
Its words plainly import that in the mean time, during the
tendency OF the Territorial Governments :" they should be
allowed to manage their in their own way"
Does not slavery come within this category Is not do
mestic concern Il that the doctrine of the South, Of
common sense, indeed No Territorial Government was
ever established which had power regulate the domes
tic relations of husband and wife, Of parent and child and
OF guardian and ward and if the inhabitants competent
TO manage these great interests and indeed the interests be-
longing all the departments Of society," including The issues
OF life and DEATH they not competent manage the ea-
ton OF master and servant, involving the condition Of
slavery
the subject Of the rights of the Territories going
into the discussion Of that subject all have already
cuPied full share of the attention Of the Senate the
PLANTATION of my views respecting The distinguished Sena-
tor from Massachusetts (Mr WEBsrER) says have
reignty over the Territories. not to be led from my
path BY that word sovereignty which have often heard
invoked here as though kind Of open sesame, which
opened all power to the General Government you
find that word in the constitution, which you cannot and
that il confers any authority upon Congress- be III there is
an end OF the question, and may lawfully exercise what
Is thus granted. But If the word 10 not there, what
night have you introduce here the foundation of
gressional power My doctrine is ths-I have already
planned il length aHd shall but briefly refer it, the
subject IN my way-my doctrine, say, is this that there is
no provision in the constitution providing for the establish
ment of Territorial Governments and without going into the
matter at ALL would only remark that the various clauses and
considerations, in the constitution and out of the consu
ton, which have been adverted in support Of the power
think classification of them makes theenand the reasons
quite as various, urged to establish them, enough
were there other reasons, call in question the right in
Congress to regulate this subject few plain words would
have settled the matter for ever had the convention intend
ed to grant the power They not there any thing
like them and driven to forced interpretation and
remote analoges for great political power instead of being
able TO put finger upon the grant itself My position is,
that, tor certain reasons which will not recapituate as
have already explained them at length the necessity of pro-
vidng Governments for Territories neither oreseen
provided for such Governments having already been nstut
ed by the old Congress in all the Territory belonging to the
United State and acquisitions being within the
contemplation of the statesmen Of that period My doctrine
further s that it the moral duty Of any country making
acquisitions, to take that they supplied with govern
ments agreeaby to the nature Of their institutions one
OF the duties OF sovereignty you pea-or that using
the word to legitimate pupoe-dening, does certain
relations, and not being made convey power any de-
partment OF Government owing its existence the popular
will, and deriving its authority from written constitution
which w,hholds all that not granted The American peo
pie the true soveregns of this country and entitled
such to exercise all power which fairly belongs that rea
| ton But no department of their Government can have
such powers under this attribute of sovereignty unless it
expressly conferred upon them If not granted is reserved
to the people, Now, have said acknowledge the duty of
providing Governments for the Territories bu. the people
have granted that authority, when the arises and
Congress acts upon it. they yield pressing necessity and
must throw themselves upon their constituents for ustca
ton they believe there just necessity for action, they
will be supported if not, they must fall. In such
should not hesitate thus to act and would cheeruy leave
my constituents to approve condemn my This
the very necessity which induced the Congress of the
Conderacy institute Governments for the Northwestern
Territory as there was not particle of power in the articles
of confederation upon the subject and which, in the opinion of
Mr. Madison, justified their action and it the inevitable
sequence in the opinion Judge Marshall where he deuces the
right rather the duty, of Government from the power
QUESTION similar necessity, growing out Of the cir
cumances Of the country which induced Mr. Jefferson to
the completion of the arrangements for the acquisition
Of louisiana while he warrant in the constitution for
the act
Now, sir your power il founded upon the necessity of
the cae it should be carried further than that necessity
qures 1t is government which is necessary for the Terrific
res not Congressional legislation their concens
and should therefore stop at the former and leave the lat
ter to the people To show that there s not the slightest
cesy for Congress act the part of Territorial Legsa
cessty for Congress to act the part of Territorial Legsa
ure, is enough say they have done The Ter
toes have always legislated for themselves and the few
Of interference with their internal by Con-
gres to be found upon the statute books useless aud
unnecessary exceptions which but the forcbly establish
the general principle. The Territories have always been
found competent to egsate for themselves and life liberty,
and property have been well protected there elsewhere
Ihen where the necessity ceases action should
My views another point being misunderstood will brief
y refer them My doctrine was and that the people Of
the Territories have right to egsae forthemseves. was
speaking formerly Of Territories organized into political
munes by the action Of Congress- and the process by which
deduced this attribute of selfgovernment have just
planned But sir where the United States refuse neglect
institute for Acquisitions hold to be the
right OF the people TO provide governments for Themselves.
do not intend to argue that point with any He who
does not feel and acknowledge that clear right of self pser
vaton as inherent in every community when neglected by its
sovereign, have one entertans views different from
mine the great question of human rights that have
common ground on which argue So far agree fully with
the doctrine advanced by the President his that
communities thus situated have the right provide for their
government, though dissent totally from the
dation to leave them in that condition
The honorable Senator om Mississippi (Mr DAvs says
sovereign seeks deuce from that
relation And, sir soveregn-thas is we the people
But there rights of sovereignty there also duties OF
sovereignty. That relation is not all slde These
duties ought TO fulfil, and, if we do not, the people
must fulfil them for themselves. My honorable friend asks
whether all men have a right to form Government Mr. Pre-
pect to find definite boundary WALL in fact to which
and where he Moral questions