Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1852-05-13


deed, by the devoufing element. They
established government, and | am not
going 10 argue with any man, who de-
MES their right to have done SO. | as
sumo il as a self e, ident proposition, in
this middle OF the nineteenth century.
1t " as not, as it has been called, an act
of revolution, for how can there be a
revolution, when there has been no
pre-eXisting government. Il D-25 81
act OF political organization, essential
TO the very existence Of society. v ELI
sir, if they had 10 establish govern
ment, what kind OF one must il have
been! Some say territorial. But, sir.
that was impossible, for that kind CT
government preSupposes certain re-
ations with the United States, which
Congress can alone define and reg
ulate. 1t was impossible for a self
constituted government TO pat itself
in that position, with its laws and otti-
GERS controlled by federal authority,
without the action OF that authority
Nothing else was left TO the people bot
to dc Is they did, to iay the foundation
of their own government, aud then
come TO Congress with their work.
Conceding, then, that they had the
right TO provide for their Indispensable
political wants by this course, what
Limitation was there upon the exercise
OF their powers. in framing their gov
ernment! Why, Sir, il they could do
anything, they could do everything,
not in conflict with the Constitution OF
the United States. And this brings
me back TO the originaiquestion,whe
er the Constitution does expressly, or
| by necessary implication, prohibit the
exercise OF this contested power, or
whether it grants any rights, which
render its action incompatible with
their superior obligation. | have al
ready said, | cal find, for myself, no
such provision in that instrument. 1t
will be recollected, that the whole ba-
sis OF my argument, whether right or
wrong, was founded on the indefeasi-
bic right OF every distinct political com
munity, TO regulate its own government,
when not rightfully controlled by some
superior authority. The only superior
authority which, in this country, could
limit this right, must he derived from
| the Constitution oI ,he United States;
and, therefore, every political power,
not thus limited belongs to the peo-
pie Of the Territories. This was and IS
my view.
/ As To the term "squatter sovereign
ty," or Landlord sovereignty" and
the reproach it is intended TO carry
with it, they become neither our age nor
country. Men are entitled to govern
ments, even if they are landless. and
human life and human happiness are
worth protection, Notwithstanding i
remote authority may be the great
landlord, holding vast domains in a
state OF nature, which ii neither grants
nor governs. Many of the doctrines
upon this subject carry Us back 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 upon the accident of prop
erty, but upon the great principles Of
freedom and just equality. One of two
things is inevitable: Either the people
of California had the right 10 establish
u government for themselves, without
reference TO "squatter sovereignty" or
"landlord sovereignty" or trey were
necessarily condemned to live without
a government, or rather to die without
one for human life, under such circum-
stances, would be far more precarious
than the bloodiest battle on record
They choosed to do what we refused;
to found political system, aiiordins
protection to ;he great objects OF hu-
) man society; and know nothing of
the character of my countrymen,
| North or South, if on calm reflection,
they do not approve the proceeding
: Nor do | believe there is oae OF them,
: no matter where, who, had he been in
t California in such a perilous crisis,
: would have hesitated TO substitute es-
/ tablished law for lawless violence and
t physical strength.
5 ! observe, what had not struck me be
f fore, that in an extract from his speech
which Colonel Davis refers to, be says that
: | spoke of The fanaticism of he South. SIR
that is deduction from Iny remarks, and
one which, think, their tenor does not Jus
tify, / used no such term. ] made ne
such charge. / did indeed complain OF 3
/, too prevalent indisposition among ouI
? Southern brethren 10 make Just allowance
/ for the position and natural opinions o
t Northern men. 1t was not enough tha
e they should recognize and defend the con
: stitutional rights of the South as zealousi,
4 and honestly, and | may add, under cir
! cumstances of a good deal Of personal diff
e Guilty, as those OF their own section Of coun
: try; but they were almost denounced a
u Aboli.ionists, as Northern fanatics, | said
; in some e<larters, unless they avowed anC
q believed that slavery was the best condition
J of human society. This IS the substance
It Of nny remarks upon this topic; and know
h that this sentiment Of regret was participa
Y ted in BIZ some of the most steadfast friend
: of the South upon this floor; and certainl,
: those remarks were made rot in spin
; of hostility, but with feelings Of pain tha
SO little confidence was place in exertion
:. rightfully and honestly made.
TIE New CAPITOL OF TExAs.--Th'