The daily union., 1854-02-08
TERRITORIAL LEGISLATION.


In Mr. Douglass Nebraska and Kansas bill the fol-
lowing the seclioss having reference to slavery
"Thal, order avoid all mi.consuctlon Il is hereby
declared 10 be the true intent and meaning act
lar as ihe question OF slavery is concerned, carry
practical operation the following propositions and prin.
eipes established by the compromise measures OF 1850
witt
First That all questions pertaining to slavery In the
Territories and the the refron
10 be left 10 the decision OF the people residing therein
through aPpropre'e fepressntstves
Second Tnst ali cases involving the title of slaves aud
questions Of personal freedom referred the adiudca
ton OF the local tribunals with hr rgbi appeal the
Suprems Court Of the United States.
Third Tnst The provisions Of the constitution and
laws oi The United ates IA respect 70 iasves lon
vice 70 be carried into aitbiu in all the or.
ganizsd Territories the same IA the StaIcs."
Are these SQUAD principles Are they in conformity
with those on which the government OF these United
States is basedl Are members OF the government acting
under the constitution bound to sustain and carry out lis
principles legislators irrespective OF their own opinions
OF abstract moral right rather OF what the constitution
ought 10 bel Living and acting under the constitution
sworn to support il, we, when acting officially NOR
ally bound 10 sustain 10 spirit we'll in letter. or
The other hand, ought may be guided by our
own moral convictions Of right 10 depart rom its scope
and design so long violate no express mandalel
Tbese questions which every politician, stsesuan
and legislator must sometimes ask and answer in his
own mind.
The theory Of government is, that the opinion OF
the majority OF the electors controls lis action within the
limits oil certain fundamental rules which cireumscrbe
the power OF that majority. The DIVISION into separate
States, each having separate, absoute and uncontrolled
political powers and rights within its limits, subject
only 10 those OF the Union in the prescribed in the
common constitution, is another fundamental principle
This division Of our great country into local eomnuni.
es exercising The functions Of government so far as
they affect the individual in his elaons TO the society
IN which he hves is the Leading conservative feature OF
our institutions without which il would be impossible
TO exist as nation, except under the concentrated ener-
gies OF despotsm.
1t u the duty OF the general government ia the exsr-
else OF It's prescribed powers do so n eonormly as
far possible. with The theory OF allowing every munic
pay to regulate IFS AFFAIRS and to Judge for itself
what are expedient for is own interests There are
some cases where, Tor want Of or preparatory To- local
organizaton The powers and duties Of municipal govern
ment for that location devolyed upon the national
government. such is the District OF Columbia Sueh
the Territories and dependencies In every such in
stance The theory OF our institutions clearly demands that
the general government should exercise those powers in
conformity, a. lar possible, with the will ol the
people Of the particular location. Where tha, will
has organized method of manifestations the gem
erai government has the right 10 step in and make
local regulations, and ace TO their execution In exs,c.
ing these ancons, - bound 10 conform to he will of
the government as far OF knowledge OF tina, will
are within iis reach, and beyond that to form iust
judgment in respect 10 H. The theory of self cavern.
nent lies al the foundation OF institutions aud should
be departed from where is pracucabe When il
cannot be carried out, tue approximation possible
should be adopted II The people Of The locality have no
organized mode OF expressing their wlll then the tesr
judgment which be formed OF what ,ba, will is
should control the National government in acting for
them II may be the opinion OF The people korb
that slavery ought TO be abolished every where While
this may be their CONVICTION, should remember that
other. may think differently, spd IN morals. ssch IL