Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-04
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY IN The SOUTH.


POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY IN THE SOUTH.
Our daily political experience is constant
tribute to the doctrine OF popular sovereignty
While Abolitionism derides the principle from
which it has most to fear--for in nothing is
the American sentiment 80 unanimous as in
iis adherence of the precepts and examples Of
that fanaticism--the whole country bears wit
ness to its potent influence. Nowhere have its
triumphs been more frequent and more sub
stantial than in the Southern States. In the
teeth Of the bitter taunts and threats Of crazy
zcalots, we aee both parties rapidly, in that
part of tho Union, liberalizing suffrage popu-
iarizing elections, breaking up life Offices, and
opening wide the doors Of distinction to the
ambition Of all The rule Of the people-the
voice Of tho mases-the resstless power OF
republican principles-is nowhere more ardent
ly and gratefully acknowledged than in the
South Such fact is invigorating, after hear
ing the doctrine Of popular sovereignty assail-
ed by those who affect to be for all Democrat
10 measures Washington Union
The Union speaks vaguely What does it
mean by Popular Sovereignty =" The right
of the People to rule themselves What People
The People Of the whole Union, or the People
Of the States separately? What number--the
whole, n majority, or two-thirds? Who-the
whites, or tho whites and free blacks or white
and black, bond and free Hop-directly, by
their owl, immediate action, or indirectly,
through their representatives and agents. If
by representatives and agents, how chosen-by
themselves, directly, or by other agents, select
ed by them
Let US see--the Judges Of the Supreme Court
arc appointed by the Presdeat, for life, OF
during good behaviour The President Is elect
by the People Of the States; in South Carolina
by the Legislature; and they cast their votes
for candidates who have been selected by the
packed Conventions of two great political or
CARNATIONS, in one OF which the majority prin.
ciple is strangled by the two-thirds rule, and
both OF which always make their selections
with paramount view to availability. Now,
will any one be good enough to tell us how
much Popular Sovereignty has had to do with
the appointments &C the supreme Bench?
By the ratio Of representation, the South il
deprived Of the privilege Of representation for
two-6ftbs Of its black people for slaves
and in the choice OF Representatives three mil
lions Of these people have no voice
Is this Popular Sovereignty?
Under the Constitution, each State, whether
numbering three million, or the tenth Of n mil.
lion, is entitled to two Senators; in legislation
tho little Stale Of Delaware, with it, ninety one
thousand people, has an equal voice in the Sen
ate with New York, with its three millions
IL this Popular Sovereignty
Sixteen States Of this Union, numbering all
told, Some four and half million souls, have
a much weight in the Senate M fifteen States,
with an aggregate population &c eighteen and
half millions and their thirty-two Senators,
representing four and half millions can veto
any act passed through the popular branch .oi
Congress by the Representatives Of eighteen
and half millions.
IL this Popular Sovereignty
Tho President Of the United States, chosen
by electors elected by some OF tho People Of
the States, in obcdience 10 the decisions Of
Convention, in which one-third Of the mem
bcrs may have dictated tho candidate has the
veto power on legislation which can be over
come only by vote Of two-thirds Of the mem
bcrs OF each branch Of Congress In other
words, under the Constitution, he, one man,
chosen as il often happens, by a minority Of
the People Of tho United States, has power
10 Legislation greater than that Of I55 men,
bsrs in House of 234, and than that of forty
Senators in Chamber Of sixty two
Il this Popular Sovereignty
South Carolina contains 66s. 900 People,
$4,000 OF whom have nothing TO do with the
government Of themselves, politically or per-
sonalIy; and Mississippi has 100000 People,
only 295, 900 &C whom rule, whilo 900 900, so
fsr ffem having any control over themselves
do not oven own themselves. u It thus that
the rcsistlcss power Of Popular Sovereignty Is
acknowledged IN the South
10 South Carolina no person can be q Rep
rescntaiivc. unless he owns settled freehold
estate Of 500 acres, and ten human bcings or
. real estate clear a debt, worth $50 pounds
sterling; no penon can he Senator, unless
he owns freehold estate worth 400 pounds
sterling: and no perscn can he Governor, unless
he owns . freehold estate worth 500 pounds
sl6rl;ng And in Virginia there arc two class
- Of people, numbering more than five hun
dred thousand people, whom the remaining
eixl> hundred thousand are 90 determined to
keep ID ignorance, that they punish with fine
and imprisonment any one who attempts to
tesch them 70 read or wsissi
Bshola 10 the language Of the Unicn the