Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-12-04
OBJ 3.la1Ip 2pp,
MONDAY, DECEMnER 4. 1854.
squaiter Sovereignty.

cSnuVCI AIchlsuh RoS oeen, recently, UeVel-
oping TO the Missourians, his peculiar views
on Squatter Sovereignty" They are some
what singular views but not more so than
might have been expected from the man who
claims to be the author of the Kanzas Nebrss-
ka territorial bill.
Senator Atchison says that he took the in
itiative in abrogating the Missouri Compact.
lie had made up his mind never to vote for a
territorial government for kanzas or Nebraska
unless the Compact was repealed. He want
ed the people of the territories to regulate their
own municipal government, without any re-
striction whatever; and, unless they could
have the opportunity to do so, a5 origiae, he
determined never to consent to the legal set
Element Of the territories With these views
he approached Senator Douglas, Chairman of
the Committee on Territories and, to these
views that Committee, and, finally, Congress,
consented. The Kanzas- Nebraska territorial
bill was passed, the prohibition of Slavery
was removed, and "squatter sovereignty"
was established Now "squatter sovereign
ty' is mere rhetorical phrase. Senator At
Gibson attaches one meaning to it, and some
body else attaches some other meaning to 1t.
1t is figure of speech, capable of numerous
interpretation. Let us see how Senator At
Gibson interprets it. We can do better by an
illustration than by an argument. He is now
agltating Missouri, for the purpose of organ
izing an army Of squatters, which shall invade
Kanzas when the vote upon its CONSTITUTIONS
taken, and; which shall vote down the bona
tide inhabitants, upon the question of the in-
PRODUCTION Of Slavery. In a recent speech,
made in Platte county, Mo-, which is publish
ed in the Missouri papers, he laid down the
programme of proceedings which he desired
the friends ofthe peculiar institution to follow.
He said " that his mission there that day was,
if possible, to awaken the people of this coun-
ty to their danger, land to suggest the means to
elections, would decide the question, whether
or not the Stakeholder was to be excluded,
and it depended upon a majority of the votes
cast at the polls. Now, ifa set offanatics and
ford to advance their money and exert every
nerve to abolitionize the territory and exclude
the STAKEHOLDER, when they have not the least
personal interest, what is your duty? When
you reside in one days journey of the Terri
tory, and 'ohen yo,y peace, your quiet, aud your
property, depend upon yoer action, go" can,
aoithout an erertion send fee h'adred Of yoar
young men, eo5o ,ci5l cote in tavor Of yow j'asti,
tuioR8,"
Senator Atchison's army of Squatters does
not mean to remain in Kanzas. The men
composing it do not mean TO give up their citi-
zenship as Missourians. Their sole end and
aim is to control the votes of the true settlers,
and impose an internal governmentsupon
them, obnoxious to their principles, and, ut
terly subyersive of their interests This is
"squatter sovereignty" as now developed by
the man who was so loudly eloquent, last
session of Congress, in proclaiming the idea
that the people Of the territories had the right
to regulate their own internal affairs without
interference, either from Congress, or, their
neighbors.
Senator Atchison urges the Missourians to
go into this rascally business as matter of
protection. He says that slave property in
Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, will depreciate
in value if Kanzas is established as free
State; and, therefore, it is imperative upon
the people of those States to prevent. by any
means, such contingency. The whole of
thisssscheme propounded by Senator Atchison,
shows the true motives which impelled the
Slavery propaganda to abolish the Missouri
restriction, and to loist upon the country their
.'squatter sovereignty" falsehoods. 1t shows,
also, how utterly destitute of honor, manli-
ness, and truth, that propaganda is. 1t finds
that freedom, on fair field and with no favor,
can meet it and overthrow it; and, therefore,
it bellies its own professions, ignores its own
propositions, and plots and cheats to gain its
infamous ends. Squatter Sovereignty, accord
ing to Senator Atchison, means the sovereign.
ty of slavery by any means and all means. 1t
remains to be seen how his schemes will pros
per in the territory.