Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-02-24
Who are the Peopla?

WEU hIE TIC 1COp1S!
The Kenosha Democrat either wilful-
" or otherwise, misunderstanding the oues-
ton we proposed at the head of this ar
tiele; and Misunderstanding, fails entire
~ to answer it.
Admitting the position claimed, that
the people Of the territories, whether in
numbers ten or ten thousand have Alright
to make just such laws as they please, the
question-who compose the people that
are to exercise this power. becomes real
" the fundamental point, and it is incum-
bent on these men to answer it.
1t is the question, in coed faith. we as
ked; it is the question the Democrat
finds it mich more convenient to bury up
ina multiplicity of words, than to answer.
KS yet, the Missouri compromise is I'M
repealed. Itprohibits slavery in the ter
ritory of Nebraska. Every man who is
there, whateverh his nation or color, stands
upon precisely the same footing in the
eye of the law; and it would seem to fol-
low that in organizing q government by
the people, no distinction of color or ma
ton could or should be made Is this
what these men who are so anxious to
have the people rule are striving to accom-
prsh? Are they fearful that Guido and
Pompey and Cuifee, who in the eye of
the law occupy the same position with
those who claim to be their masters will
be deprived Of their rights, unless it be
enacted forthwith that the people shall
-Iulc? We fear, from the history and
character ofthe men, that suchis not their
motive. On the contrary it glares like
.1he noon day sun, that under this pretext
they seek directly the opposite-seek to
prevent, instead Of to permit, govern
mcnt Of the people.
1t is the very fact chat Guido and Pom
pey and CulIee are now people. in the eye
Of the law, that stimulates this effort. 1t
is not to assert any right on the part Of
the people but it is to enact that certain
people shall be people no longer. This
is manifest
Is there n sane man III the nation who
believes that Douglass is urging this mat
ter to assert the abstract right of the peo
pie 70 self government? Ifso, how does
it happen that this light has just dawrcd
on him? Less us than a year ago he does
not seem to have comprehended or apprc-
cated it; for Mt that time he urged the
passage of bill for this very territory,
which was entirely destitute of this great
fundamental principle.
Why cannot Senator Douglass and his
hackers, be Men, and boldly avow their
purposes, instead of skulking behind such
1imsy su5tcrfuges as they dc!
BY the practice Gin violation Of the
Constitution ofthe Government Slavery
is allowed to go and fasten itself WHEREBY
er it is not positively prohibited. In Ne
braska tits positively prohibited. There
arc Shareholders there with their Slaves.
The prohibition is inconycnent to them
it makes their property insecure, and
they want it repealed to giYctheir slave
~ an implied legal sanction and q pcrma-
nent existence. Senator Douglass is a
small man with very large ambition; he
thinks as domost others, that the golden
cup Of the Presidency lies down deep in
the dirty pool of slavery, and The man
who can dive the deepest stands the best
chance Of securing ii. Herein is involved
tho whole matter.
Speeches may be made and printed
newspaper extracts collated to al indeti-
mite cxteut-and reamS Of paper spoiled
on both sides of the question, but the
point is. after all, very narrow one and
easily understood. 1t IS simply permit
ting slavery 70 enter ard become legal
zcd in territory heretofore consecratedt to
freedom; and We earnestly entrcat every
person and all persons, while debating IN
their own minds the position they Sf2!!
take on this question, 10 discard all So
phistry-all specious appeals, and keep IN
view the real point involved, which VIC
have stated. and which Is palpable.