The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-03-02
IT BEING 4HE-TRuE INTENT AsD'mEANrsc O.

1T BEING THETRUE INTENT AND MEANING OF
THIS ACT NOT TO LEGIsLATE SLAVERY INTO ANY
TERRITORY OR STATE, NOR To EXCLUDE 1T
THERErRoM, BUT TO LEAVE THE PEOPLE THERE
OF PERFECTLY FREE TO FORM and REGULATE
THEIR DOMESTIC INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR OWN
WAY, sUBJErT ONLY TO THE CONSTITUTION or
THE UNITED STATEs.-Eatract from the Ne
braska Bill Of Judge Douglass.
The above extract, as the pith and marrow
OF The bill relating 10 the Nebraska and Kan
sas Territories, will occupy the position of
standing motto at The editorial head of our
paper, until the public shall fully understand
the issue, and the vexed questiou be again
set at rest
At a time when The couniry is ugiated
throughout lis whole length by aTubjecl
that has been source Of danger and alarm
TO the peace an security of the republic, we
believe ii the duty of every good citizen TO
raise bis hand and voice on the side oc pa.
lriolism. Most assuredly, the press that
feeds, anmates and thrills the public mind,
has da;J d;Js te- tie- ,,..sform in this matter; aud
while we assume the position and rights of
public journalist, we wilinevsr shrink from
the discharge of our reciprocal duty.
The principle Of seI-gosernment is The
very basis OF all republicanism and den6c-
rncy. Il is that which mainly distinguishes
our government from others, and VIII ich
forms the PRIDE and boast of the American
citizen. II that which gives him the free.
dom 10 inspise energy, enterprise and digni-
iy into all pursuits of life. The feeling that
he has a share and interest III the affairs Of
government, gives new impetus and secu-
rity 10 commerce, and new life and en-
joymeni 10 The amenities OF social intercourse.
II inspires the confidence which is the very
foundation of all society. The first Presi-
dent of the Union sad 81 think every ma
tion has right 10 establish that form OF gov
eminent undes which il eoueeiEea il can live
most happy % and Mr.. Fillmore uttered the
same idea in his message in language not
less foiclble. "Lel every people," said he,
"choose for itself, and make aud alter It's po-
lilical institutions 10 suit its own convent
ence." The constitution of the country is
based upon this principle all dit applies as
we'll 10 municipal as 10 national policy. The
fac, that this right is conceded 10 the people
of the states is the strongest reason for adopt
ing the same rule in the organization Of Ter
rifories. In fact, TO fetter the people of ter.
ritory-to prescribe their municipal laws
and 10 exclude any class of American citi.
zsns from It's bounds by the practical opera.
lion of an act of Congress; is an ef1r! 10 mould
and form the state Constitution which his
territory shall generate The stale must
spring from the territory, aud grapes cannot
grow from thorns, nor figs if we plant this
Ties
But the cry 10 exclude slavery from this
territory is not originated by any devotion 10
ths cause oil freedom. There is not an old
Federalisi or aholiioEisi in the land that does
not from inslic! chime in; and yet such men
rs Senators Everett Smith and Badger, con-
fess that slavery can never 60 into Nebraska
or Kansas, because it is excluded by the
highest laws Of climate, productions, and
physical geograpy. Il is then mere alb
slracion ;hat is in contest, and if II can be
called a principle, ii is the principle oil self
govemmen,--the right OF republican Amer.
leans 10 make their own municipal ragula-
tions.
j: is not true that ihis agitation could have
been avoided, no matter in what shape ter
rorial bill mighi.have been proposed. The
Missouri Compromise was opposed by The
same C. lass of men who fought against the
Compromise OF 1850; and Clay, Webster,
and Cass have met all the denuncialon
now heaped upon Douglass, Like them, he
may never come 10 be President, but like
them, too, he will be known for all time as
one Of the .grea, pillars of the Republic
But if he even shall never reach the Presi-
dental seat. he will be richer, higher, and
happier far in the proud satisfaction of hav-
ing given peace 10 his county, and Of en-
joying The grateful thanks of every patriotic
heart among his counIrymen.
The principle OF self-govenment in the
admission of new territories into the Union
was as well established an6 as fully adopted
in 1875 0 as any principle can be under our
system of government. Althe old Feder-
alist, conservative and abolition elements of
The country wore hostile 10 thai settlement
OF the subject, and are ready al any eoase-
MEN, time to renew the contest. The great
Wing party Of the country has been sorely
defeated, and, having nolavilab.e. issue just
now, naturally grasps for the first straw that
floats indicating discord And although il
gave cold acguiescence TO the compromise
measures OF 1850, its afiinilies are we'll
known 10 be on the side of aboisionism.--
In free country Of so many million varying
minds, and such free iuierch dnge and dis
cussion of political questions as ours, an agi.
iatiou like this is Unavoidable But while il
does come as il has now, the true course of
duty and patriotism is to rule il by the we'll
established and fundamental landmarks of
American republican ism and self-govern.
ment. That course alone has been and will
be the safe one. e
---sss s-<--l---
vThe Lehigh Register states that abou,
twenty gentlemen have associated thern-1
selves under the general manufacturing law,
with capital of 5000 900, and have pur-
chased one hundred and eighty acres Of land
lying three miles north OF Allentown, al $500