Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-04-02

tain relations with the United States which Congress
alone define and regulate. 1t was impossihis for
efconsttuted government 10 put itself in that po
son, with its laws and officers controlled by federal
authority without the action offhat authority. Moth
ing else left 10 the people but to do as they did
to lay the foundation of their own government, and
then come 10 Congress with their work. Conce
ding, them that they had the right provide for their
indispensable political wants by this course what lin
itaton there upon the exercise of their powers
in framing their government? Why, SIR if they could
do anything, they could do everything, not in conflict
with the Constitution of the United States And this
brings back TO the original question, whether the
Constitution does expressly by necessary implica
tion prohibit the exercise of this contested power
whether it grants any rights which render lis action
incompatible with their superior obligation. have
already said can fnd for myself no such provision
in that instrument. 1t will be recollected that the
whole basis of my argument, whether right wrong,
founded the ndefeasible right OF every distinct
political community, 10 regulate it's government.
when not rightfuily controlled by some superior
hority. The only superior authority which. in this
country could limit this right. must be derived from
the Constitution of the United Sates and therefore,
every political power, not thus limited belongs TO the
peope OF the Territories That was and is nv view.
Al 10 the term squatter sovereignty" g land
lord sovereignty and the reproach it is intended 10
carry with il, they become neither age coun-
try Men are entitled to government, even if they
landless and human life and human happiness are
|
NAV be the great landlord, holding vast domains in
stale of nature which it neither grants governs
Many of the doctrines upon this subject carry US lack
| TO the middle ages when land was everything and man
nothing We have arrived at period when better
views prevail; when human nature asserts its rights,
and the exercise of political power does not depend up
on the accident of property. but upon the great prnci
pies of freedom and just equality. One of two things
is inevitable Either the people Of California had the
right to establish government for then selves, with
out reference to "squGtter sovereignty" or land
lord sovereignty" they necessarily condemn
ed to live without government or rather 10 die with
out one for human life, under such circumstances
would be far more precarIous than in the boodes bat
lie on record They chose to do what refused tc
found political system, afording protection TO The
great objects of human society; and know nothing
of the character of my countrymen, North or South
if, on calm reflection, they DO not approve the proceed
ing. Nor do believe there is of them, matter
| where, who had he been in California in such per
ous crisis, would have hesitaed 10 substitute estab
shed law for lawless violence and physical strength
| | observe, what had not struck before, that II
an extract from his speech, which Colonel Davis re
fers to- he says that spoke of the fanatlcism of TIT
South Sir that is deduction from my remarks, ant
one which, / think, their tenor does not justify.
used no such term. | made such charge, | dit
indeed complain of too prevalent indisposion anon!
Southern brethren TO make just allowance for tn
position and natural opinions of Northern men, Ii VA
not enough that they should recognize and defend tht
constitutional rights of the South zeaousy and hon
esty, and, | may add, under circumstances of GOO
deal of personal difficulty, those of their sec
ton of country but they were almost denounced d
Abolitionists, Northern fanatics, said, in som
quarters unless they avowed and believed that SLAYER
was the best condition of human Society. This is til
substance OF my remarks upon that topic and know
that this sentiment of regret was participated in b.
some of the most steadfast friends of the South upo
this floor and certainly those remarks made nc
in spirit of hostility, but with feelings of pain tina
so little confidence placed in exertons rightfu
and honestly made.