The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-06

THOUGHTS FOR THE pEorIH.~so' - i ''
Non-Iaieyesnt,oa

THOUGHTS FOR THE PEoPLE.-No. l.
Nom Lsieypent,oa
The term intervention is Of great significance
which il vol becomes the American citizen and states
man 70 study and reflect upon Ii involves both in theory
and in practice vital principles upon whose user or non
user depends the very existence OF the republic The fact
not affected by the Of Mr. Benton changed by his
silly coinage of words express his contempt When ar
gument cannot denunciaton is sometimes used 10 kill
measure Intervention on the part of the general govern
ment with the internal affairs of the States or with the
sovereignty Of the people by attempt to control local
legislation and institutions is after ALL great danger 10
our republic il poisons the very lebiood strikes at e
very seat OF ygor and Of safety II this fact that makes
Recommendation SO important for that is but the refusal
do what would be SO dangerous when done
The government Of the United States although power
fui is yet simple II has few clearly defined OBJ
eets and is characterized by few prominent aims beyond
which II was not designed should and beyond which
safely il cannot GO
among The powers conferred upon il by express grant
land II has none except such derived is not
FOUND Me rg 10 !gtstae prescribe rules for he mere local
Poee and municipal regulation and gopRaent Of The people
either IN the States Territories Indeed is expressly
restrained from doing by the constitution for the rights
and powers not delegated reserved the States and
the people Popular sovereignty thus eonsituonally
cured and the doctrine of nonintevenon fully sanctioned
BY the organic law Of the United States.
II is not noe seriously claimed by any that Con-
has the right interfere with the local Of
the States. True it is that here and there may be found
honest ruc-hcarted federast who truly believes that
Congress has and ought to have full power over the
Sates-that strong government is the safest govern
ment but these are if not obsolete yet unpopular ideas
and few have the hardwood to express them And
yet If Congress may not interfere in the local affairs of the
Sates to do would be subvesive of the foundation
principles Of our system of and result in great
and lasting cr-how, we ask it be done to with
our Territories The rights of man fixed and permanent
not subject to be changed reversed to suit circumstances
and localities. State, political community,
aggregation ofindividuas has the innate right make its
own laws and be governed by its regulations This
is not only right to be yielded but its exercise is
only safety have people Subject all the people
all the States to head, to apply to them
general rule and revolution would end the very
The strength Of our system Of is in the
local soveregness in the practical working Of the doc
trine of non-interventon
But Col Benton and Others the people of the Terri
tories have rights they infants and must submit to
be governed, instead Of governing themselves This is
strange doctrine II is without foundation in truth and
right and lacks the base Of justice and principle sustain
it. In the unorganzed Territories of the Union there is
provision for civil government; the constitution gives
power the territory and other property" of the
Union and it gives other power and says other
word the subject In the absence then, of authority
the and the citizen falls back upon his innate and
aenabe rights and of right claims the high and sacred
prerogative of segovenment 1t then becomes matter
Of constitutional guarantee, but Of admitted natural
rights prerogatve and powers; and why take from five
thousand located in Territory their natural right
while you deny the power right TO do with fifty thou
sand citizens of Stae The fact of numbers surely
make the difference; the circumstance Of
locality either take away confer the right to sefgovern
ment.
boundaries restricted by artificial fixed limits but
applies far Congress concerned all communities
whether less in numbers only they are free
Congress may, and have assumed TO- organize terri
toral governments; but this power is arising of
the necessity Of the and not from any real grant of
authority But this assumption founded necessity may
not go beyond the want which calls for its exercise II
may, perhaps, extend TO general organizationa
outline of government but II cannot upon any principle
either Of necessity of right go inch beyond the
chnery or framework When it assumes the power TO
regulate the internal police and to dictate the municipal
affairs Of States Of communities unorganzed by State
authority, it is treadng forbidden ground and
leaping legitimate authority.
II TO well that TO first principles at
this time and where do stand and where the path
Of duty and Of safety lies If in the past have departed
from the right and have exercised only doubtful but
dangerous powers 1t is time that understood and de-
parted from the evil course.
Intervention has only produced dlscord and trouble and
il continue do. Ii is unsafe dependenoe-a
dangerous policy supsryenes OF the cardinal prn
cpes Of our system Of government and poty
ton wranglings and hcart-burnings and win result
from it. II is time then, 10 abandon the evil course and
20 back to the doctrine Of strict construction of
Intervention There is safeyeurire and perfect safety
in that and in nothing short OF IT. Upon no other basis
can peace-permancnt and healthy peace-exist and the
doctrine Of non-nterventon indifference in local and
popular sorereignfu CqrssS faithfully carried ont and
religiousIy adhered TO, win produce fixed and lasting
tranquy-one based immutable justice and eyerlast-
ing truths Let the people rule should be the moto II
Is safe one should distinction be between the
hardy pioneer in civilization the honest upright back
woodsman Of the West and the favored dcnizen Of
the cultivated States
Let the people think Of these things let them apply their
good to The subject and their Judgment win be
just A DEMOCRAT
YArTs COUNTY, New York, Maya