The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-23
Mr.. RedftLd's Letter.

NV YoRK, Wednesday, March Is, 1854
GENTLEMEN, Your the 7th instant inviting me to
attend meeting Of the democracy of The city OF New
York. Old rammsny, the Ieh, has been received.
While IL be my poweTro attend and address the
needing yeti desire to join with you ia responding the
geattrushs OF the rights OF the people control their
domestic affairs approve entirely OF the principle Of the
bill pending 10 Congress. for the organization OF the
Territories OF Nebraska and kansss Il Is by means
new principle on this side Of the Atlantic
The legislature of the colony Massachusetts Bay at
early day. declares that 'by The Of Of ma
lions by the voice Of universal and Of God By the
statute Law and ne common law they the power
Of local lcgisisuon They med that he authority
Of Parliament is circunscnbed by bounds which, II ex
eeeded their acts become mere power without right and
consequently void"
The people Of the Territories OF the United States who
like the early coonists this county, left their homes
for the wilderness, have the right stand upon
these principles.
lam pleased TO see that advocates OF the right or Com
egisae upon the subject Of slavery in the Terri
tories changed their Of reasoning or Of deca
nation upon this subject. Their fret position was that
the prior legislation OF Congress upon subject was Ia.
so,abls and binding upon the country through ali time 70
The sbsurdiy Of this proposition, and s inconss
eney with democratic principles and progress soon
discovered The ground taken Is thar the bin
Doug does not far enoughths II does allow
the people Of Territory privileges Of self
government.
prominent member Of the constitutional convention OF
this State, in 1871 used often relate anecdote which
hink not Inappropriate 70 the present occasion He sad
that dnfing the discussions and the efforts the
side Of toe convention the amendment TO extend
the elective franchise, and 10 abolish the council Of appoint
mens Distinguished federal member said Ia whisper
Sir. when yon have rode popular hobby you
think proper, we mean get end ride iuriher" The
proceedings OF the show same men who
al first opposed the amendments proposed by the
demecrs party afterwards submitted the most ultra
propositions, and especially extend the elective fran
ehise Al well a. whites The original o,ponsnts
Of Mr. Douglas, biwhethsr sincere or not ID /. not 10,
ssy-now propose to 'fde furthern They propose
TO amend the bill throw OF all congregational re-
arsint
do not mean 70 say that the support OF this bin in Il,
present shape should be considered democratic tes,fr
from H. There Of provisions hope 10 see changed
In the House Of Representatives. and especially that which
limits the suffrage under the territorial government to ma
iysborn and naturslizsd citizens can see no objection
10 giving aliens WHO mar have DECLARED ,hsr intention OF
becoming citizens, the privilege Of voting But do me an
say that the principle Of the bill which claims for the
people OF Territory the right egsate for In
everything that aPpertains 70 their local and domestic
fairs, including the subject Of slavery should be made a
test Of democratic slthbecause the constitution copfer
no power upon Congress eElsse for the people o Ter
ory upon these ssbj-es And cannot too often epsat
that all power expressly granted by the constitution is
ieseryed TO the people This is platform upon which
every true deihoeraf Wheeler hard or 'sohn whether
IRON The South or the North. from the East or the West
can stand Its the old platform erected by our fathers A.
The birth Of the nation, and upon which great bntes
OF The democracy against advocates 81 power and The
Peen'on Of arsocraoy have been since fought and won