Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-02
JUDGE douglas AND THE SENATE


Southern politicians are not apt to forego an
immediate and practical triumph, for the
sake Of an abstraction. They differ radically
from Judge Douglas as to the powers Of Ter
ritorial Legislature, but they are willing to 20
with him, and even adopt his maxim of Nom
Intervention, for the purpose Of abrogating the
Missouri Compromise, and instituting policy
in regard to Slavery which will make future
annexation of Territory safe for the South
True, they do not believe that Slavery is the
mere creature Of local law; they hold that the
Consultation Of the United States recognises
slaves as property just as it recognises other
property; that this property has motive
power under the Constitution, may be carried
into any portion Of United States territory, and
is entitled to protection therein by the General
Government; that Congress has no right to
interfere with it except to protect It; that the
Legislative and judicial powers Of . Territory
cannot act against it, but are bound to provide,
if necessary, safeguards for it; and the People
Of Territory have no inherent right Of self
government, but derive their right from Con-
gress, which may determine its extent and
qualification. And yet they rally with Judge
Douglas and his friends, under the standard
Of Non Intervention, determined to secure by
their alliance signal triumph now, leaving
the terms Of the bargain to be settled here
after.
Meantime, we shall continue to expose the
game Of deception thus boldly played.
The Omnibus Bill, as ii was called in 1850,
contained clause expressly prohibiting any
Territorial legislation in relation to Slavery.
The Southern members disliked this, not be-
cause il forbade legislation to introduce or ex-
clude Slavery, but because it prohibited any
law for its protection. To obviate this objec-
ton, Mr.. Davis (now Secretary Of War; moved
an amendment providing that the Territorial
Legislatures should have the power to protect
the right Of property Of any kind" 3held
in or introduced into the Territories" soon
formally to the Constitution Of the United
States.n An examination Of the debate that
sprung up on this amendment June Sd, 1850,
in the Senate, will show the radical differences
Of opinion that divide Southern and Northern
politicians who style themselves Democrats.
Mr.. Douglas regretted the existence Of such
q CLAUSE in the bill g | do not see, = he said,
show those Of US who have taken the position
we have taken, THAT Of Non-Interference,) and
have argued in favor Of the right Of the People
to legislate for themselves on this question: can
support such provision without abandoning
all the arguments we urged in the Presidential
campaign in the year ls4s, and the principles
set forth by the honorable Senator from Mich
igan, in the letter known as the Nicholson
letter.
MIR. Downs, Of Louisiana, (now Collector at
the port Of New Orleana) was sorry to hear
the Senator from Illinois intimate that the pro-
hibitory clause was in violation Of the princi-
Piles Of the Nicholson Letter. ~ thought sir,
il was the very thing" He commended that to
change the CLAUSE would remove the very foun-
dation of the Bill. al submit to him now, to
refect0 added Mr.. Downs whatever may
have been our impressions on this principle
heretofore, whether he oonceives, under the
practice that he had under it for twelve months
that the people Of the Territory under any cir
cumstances could form Constitution and ex-
clude emigration from the South. ask him
if it can be supposed likely that the South will
calmly acquiesce in principle which would
certainly exclude them"
Mr.. DAVIS, (now member Of the Admins
tration which is urging the Nebraska Bill)
said
~ ask that the Territorial Legislature shall
protect property Of every kind. My opinion is,
that under tie Constitution and lacs Of the UNI.
ted States, slape property may go into the Terri
tories but do not ask Congress to decide
whether my opinion is correct or not"
That is, he asked no law on tho subject,
knowing that, should the Territorial Legisla-
ture pass laws against such property" Con-
gress had the revisionary power over them, and
should it fail to veto them, the courts, the
composition Of which would be determined by q
Pro-Slayery Administration, might annul them.
Mr.. Davis has not changed his opinions.
Mr. DAVIS was sorry to hear the statement
made by the Senator from Illinois concerning
the doctrine Of Non-Intervention.
aIfn said he, athis Federal Government to
which the States have transferred their author
ity over the property belonging to them in the
Territories Of the United States, is stopped by
such principle as is here declared by the
Senator from Illinois, from exercising that au-
thority would ask, what is the value Of the
trust What the power Of our Government :
II stands at the mercy Of every group Of men,
who may find themselves conglomerated in
any Territory of the United States and is rem
dsred unable TO discharge the trust which has
been conferred upon it"
Mr.. Douglas replied in speech, containing
declarations Of opinion which, whatever the
result Of his present movement must forever
prevent the South from placing full trust in
his orthodoxy.
Gle (Mr. Davis) desired said he, ian
amendment which he thinks win recognise