Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-02-22
Senator Douglass-Squatter Sove-
reigntV,

reignty. :
THE Boston Post in commenting upon this
gentleman's speech. takes much pleasure in
finding as it asserts, its favorite doctriae of
squatter sovereignty, or the right of the peo.
pie of the territory to legislate absolutely
upon all local subjects, and thereby to ex-
clude slavery, fully maintained aud viudica.
ted. We cannot assen, to any such con-
struction of the speech, and Of the bill which
it sustains, without imputing duplcity to the
former, and IN unconstitutional character to
the latter. ForiTit is intended to ke argued
by Senator Douglas, that in creating terri
torial Govornmcnts invested with the usual
powers, they can legislate so as to exclude
and abolish slavery; when the very law which
organizes them declares the territories open
to the immigration and settlement of the
STAKEHOLDER, wesmust reject such PROPOSE
lion as not only Unconstitutional, but as con-
tanning upon itsvrry face the mark Of treach-
cry. 1t would inducdiybe the climax Of spe-
cious Justice, TO proclaim non:intervention on
the part of Congress as the principle Of fair
ness and the Constitution, yet that it should
pass a law comforting upon tentlul of hun
tiers and outlaws The right to intervene in the
most absolute and sovereign manner. If the
Compromise of 1850 and the present bill for
the admission Of Nebraska, really mean any.
thing of fairness and justice to the South, if
the latter be not intended as a trap to catch
her support for principle seemingly Of value
to her, we are not in error in saying to slave
holders, here lies this territory, go into it with
your property if you will, and you shall be
safe, until as sovereign State, the people
decide for or against the institution. Other
wise the Nebraska bill is a worthless aud de-
ceptive truce.
But we mistake Mr.. Douglas if such an
inference can be properly drawn from his
argument and bill. Indeed, whatever may
be his own views on the subject, the bill it.
self provides in the first place that all laws
passed by the territorial government, shall
be submitted to the Congress of the U. s.,
and if ,lisapproved shall be null and of no
effect" And secondly, that call cases in.
volving title to slaves, and questions OF per-
sonal freedom" shall be subject to the uti.
mate decision of the Supreme Court OF the
United States. So far therefore from these
governments being empowered to exclude
slavery, any action they may take upon the
subject would be a matter for discussion aud
csdfE 81 RG5h hx G49ssssss AND esHpaa a iBes
sue arise upon a law excluding or abolishing
slavery, the question of the power to pass
such a law would be the first enquiry; and
decision which acknowledged that power
in the teeth of proclaimed non.intervent'on,
and the rights of the shareholder would he as
inquitous as it is absurd. 1t would be Con-
gressional Intervention one step removed, not
so direct as the Missouri Compromise or the
Wilmot proviso but more insidious and fatal,
because while protesting equality in theory,
Congress and the Supreme Court would be-
come the instruments of wrong, welded by
the hands of others.-Charleston Mercury.
DrAru OF THE Hon. TIos. S. Mays
1t is with pain that we have read the follow
ing announcement in the Montgomery Jour
nal Of the I'll, instant:
"DEAru OF JUICE MAYs.-lt is with in
expressible regret that in the line of duty, We
announce the death of Jud ge Il. S. Mays, a
we'll known, much loved, aud much valued
citizen of our community. He died on Sat
urday at his residence, about five miles from
this city, of Pneumonia.
"The refined, true and gentlemanly char
acter of the deceased made him many friends,
and his loss will be deeply mourned BY q
community in which he had long resided, and
in which he had emo enemies" This is
the true test of a just man for probity, kind,
ness aud gen,lennanly instincts are recognl-
zed and appreciated by all men, and there is
no truth in the abominable doctrine, that
lust man must have enemies. Judge Mays
had held many responsible Offices in this
county and performed their duties with ablll.
ty, which secured the respect aud esteem of
all. He was the editor of the Journal in
80 81 and '33, and exercised a large influence
at that exciting period.
Judge Mays was for several years asso-
ciated in the practice Of law, with the pre-
sent able and accomplished Attorney Gene.
raj of South Caroiua, the Hon. Isaac w
Hayne, then a citizens of Alabama. In the
wear lS45 he was on the Polk and Dallas
ELECTORAL ticket; and well do we recollec'
discussion which camo off during thai
campaign, between himself aud the Hon. ii
w. billiard, two OF the hdndsomest speak
ers whom we have ever heard.
Judge Mays was native Of South Caro-
lima. Several of his brothers now reside II
Florida, one of whom, the Hon, d. ii. Mays
was President of the Senate Of that State
few years since.
LOUIS NAPOLEON SURPRISING RELIGIOUS
EsrABL1sHMENrs.-The New York Journa
of Commerce states that private letter iron
St. Etienne, France, mentions the suppres
sion, by the Emperor, of the establishment
of the Jesuts in the commune of Montaud
the suburbs Of that city, which had produced
great commotion, but that the popular feel
inc was in favor. of the Emperor:
ast. Etienne is, like Lyons, an importan
manufacturing place, the principal article
of production being ribbons and fire arms
and the Government has here one OF its mos
important armories. The population is prln
cipally composed of working people, who
though Catholic, are bitterly opposed to tn
Jesuits, on account of the wrongs which ar
n. 4 - .Lon, throuoh thn offensive in