The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-25
For the Union.
THOUGHTS FOR THE PEoPLE.-YO. 4.
Popular Sovereignty.

Popular Sovereignty.
have said that popular soeeregny the right of the
people legislate for themselves put directly in
in the American revolutions it was literally the easus Jelh
And yetith such before u.s. is II not singular that
in the legislation for our Territories we have
in respects at least adhered TO the practice en-
phacally condemned by fathers. The British SOW
eregn and Parliament said the American colonies There
certain things which you may and others which you
may not certain laws which you may pass and yet others
which restrain you from enacng we are your masters
and in rest both the general and local sovereignty and
you of right may only and far permit Against
this doctrine fathers rebeled and effected revolution
they planting themselves upon the doctrine that all men
have certain inalienable rights that sefgovernment
the right Of people to regulate their affairs their
own judgment dictated, natural God-gyen right,
necessary the enjoyment Of liberty and the pursuit
ofhappnes that government derived It's just powers from
the of the governed The issue thus made up
The sword the arber and victory remained with the
colonies and hcnceor,h they free and independent
States with the power do all things which independent
States may OF right do
IL the Parliament Of England had no right TO dictate 10
the American coouiesno right regulate their local
affairs and legisate for themwhat right has the Con-
gre Of this nation to legisate for the Territories
not discover difference in the principle On the part of
Parliament the power defended arbitrary one and
which belonged TO 1t the supreme authority and SUCH
doubtless the theory Of the British govern
ment; and yet fathers resisted the thing rs wrong
and we all say their action But In tho case OF
Congress the interference Is clearly assumption Of right
not legiimatey belonging TO the body, anywhere
given, either by express grant or implication. The dspo
son Of property Of the esmpe Of the soil and the reg
ulaon legislation for Gree people as wide apart in
nature design and effect Is the cold clay Of the valley
and the living responsible soul Of man the two things
viz the disposition property and political government
are essentially different and have possible connection
with each other and have Congress has power
expressly granted by the constitution TO regulate and dis
pose Of The territory and other property Of the naon Ii
may establish land Offices order surveys appoint receivers
effect sales and the money received but well egs
late for the other property for the Territories The
thing incompatible with the objects Of legislation and Is
so manifcsy absurd that Il needs TO show il
But in addition to the absence Of all express power the
interference the part Of Congress with the govern
ment Of the people Of Territories is in direct conravenon
with the spirit and aim Of the republic Popular sovereign
never surrendered by the States or the people of
the States Congress- and being surrendered il is
expressly reserved and retained where il Of right belongs
with the States and the people
II may be asked, what right then has Congress,
to organize territorial government at al7 In term,
such right exists yet TO exercise Il does no,
conflict with the higher and inalienabe right to
selfgoycrnment II is act Of general soveroion,v
which perhaps pertains to the government of the Union
the general guardian and protector Of all the American
people Ours Is peculiar government and the political
relations Of our people peculiar We are a nation Of indie
pendent States communities independent Of the
other and also Of the general government in many csscn
tial features and particulars We are likewise growing
people we invite emigration have vast territories Of
land unpcoped and uncultivated Community follows
community and State Is added State; each and ali are
American citizens and yet each and all claim exercise
the right Of selfgovcrnmcnt IT is out OF this state ~
facts and singular that the right or power of Con-
gress to organize territorial governments for new or in
choae communities settlements is found but with the
framework with the general outlines II stop When
Congress has gone thus far II has gone to the extreme
verge Of its authority The rights Of the people now come
in play and IL is for them to institute the rules and reQu
a'ons by which they are to live and be ruled by which
their local police internal relations and domestic policy are