The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-10-31
TUESDAY MORNING.:::::::::::OCT. 81
Southern squatter Sovereignty.


Those who have any doubts about the
Douglas Democracy Of the North being bad.
ly "sold," in the recent campaign, can now be
supplied with the necessary evidence, from
the "open and above board" manner in
which the Southern press avow their senti-
ments and understanding of the great Prin-
ciple of popular sovereignty" and the right
of Congress to legislate for the territories.
The Douglas organs of the North, fought
the late battle upon the ground that the PEG.
pie of the territories, ander the Nebraska and
Kansas bill, were to form their own institu.
tions in their own way, subject only to the
constitution.
Had the Democracy of the North succeed.
ed, we have no doubt that strict construc.
ton of the acts of Congress for the organi.
cation Of Nebraska and Kansas, would have
rendered their application all that the South
desired for the protection of slave property
ty in those territories.
The oPposers OF these measures alledged
that they contained this Stumbling provision,
and the very fact that the Southern press
generally, kept their silence during the late
campaign, proves that they were cognzant
OF such provision, and that the true intent
and meaning of the Nebraska and Kanzas
acts were not inimical to their "peculiar in.
stitution," but would permit their property"
the desired protection, in any territory of the
United States where it might 20.
The defeat of the Douglas Democracy
North, has compelled the Southern press to
break their ominous silence, and put the de-
fence and protection of their property" on
an entirely d fferent ground from that occu-
pied by their doughface allies of the North,
for the purposes Of single campaign, and Of
securing its endorsement by the people.
1t will be seen the Richmond Enquirer not
only recognizes the right Of Congress to leg.
isate for the territories, but prescribe- the
manner, which in the opinion of the South,
it can only legislate:
We Of the South contend not simply that
Congress may, but that Congress must, Leg
Islate respecting slavery in the territories,
." SSasesu ShSumSsouCSS ouu uuucT CSttoiu
limitations. We not only affirm the power,
but we claim its exercise, when necessary.
as matter Of right with US, and of duty on
the part of Congress. Slavery is species
OF property. and is entitled to all the safe
guards and securities which protect other
kinds OF property. and Congress, as the SUI
preme legislative authority in the territories,
must guarantee to it all the immunities of
property. Thus, il a sla .eh older from the
South settles in territory in which there is
no adequate protection to his property
against the violence of the abolitonists, il
becomes the duty Of Congress to interpose
for his security. So, likewise, il there be any
artificial barrier of foreign law which repels
slavery from the common domain, Congress
must interpose to remove the Obstacle
Hence, in 1850, the present Secretary Of
War, then Senator from Mississippi, pro-
posed that Congress should repeal the Mexi-
can laws which prohibited slavery in Utah
and New Mexico-contending,n nevertheless,
as we do, that the constitution proprio uigore
effected their repeal. and carried slavery into
the forbidden territory.
Congress may in.
terfere to protect slavery in the territories, but
not to prohibit it,