Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-03

ing omitted in the representation or all the disni6e
characters who figured In it remains at the close
sovereignty Of the settlers; and the curtain falls he
is found upon the stage and makes his bow to the
audience the sole survivor Of the play Truly sir it has
had most comical catastrophe!
Just before the passage Of the Senate BILL aud to com-
plete the modification, not to say humiliation OF the
South the usual clause providing that the acts Of the
Legislature should be sent to Congress for
vision, and declaring that they should be void If dsap-
proved, stricken out Not word Of remonstrance
was heard; not voice was raised in opposition. But
it is answered why should not the settlers have the pr
yilege of governing themselves? Themselves! Sir, it is
the privilege Of governing others Congress is comforting
upon them 1t is the privilege of governing us, and
sisting the control Of the United States which the
owners Of the country AL persons to extent pos
sess the right OF selfgovernment Even the child and
the idiot must remain uncontrolled in the exercise Of
some personal rights and determine for themselves ques
tons that no other properly interfere with But,
under color of recognising the right of e inhabitants Of
Territory belonging to govern themselves, powers
OF legislation are conceded to them independent Of
controthe power to legisate for others the power
impress their will upon Others and exact and enforce
| obedience to it.
power to govern the Terrtories In what part Of the
Constitution is it found! Sir where do get the pow
to be economical and Industrious? In wht part of the
Constitution is it found? These things fall under the
head o obligations rather than Of rights powers The
right to acquire territory, which NOBODY disputes,
imposes upon us the duty TO manage it and TO manage
1t Tor the best interest OF those tor whom 1t acquired
and who can only govern it through In doing of
course we must always act in subseryency to the Con-
sttuon
Sir, how any doubt the authority of Congress
to egslate for the Territories and govern the people who
there? Do not exert this power in every act by
which provide Government for them? Do we not
appoint their governor, and judges and MARSHALL and
other officers? Do not declare how many represen
atves they may elect and prescribe what subjects they
may and what they may not legisate upon Is not all
this But taxation without representation
Why, even there, does any doubt that have
pie power to tax them TO the extent that tax
everybody else; though they have voice in laying
the taxes? Has been pretended that the people
of the Territories have the rghtto receive their merchan
disc free of our duties and mposs because Of their in
aenabe right TO govern themselves and Of the absence
of all authority part to govern them? How far
they should be left TO regulate their local and inter-
nal affairs is matter within discretion think the
largest latitude should be given consistently with the
rights Of whole people and the proper supremacy of
the States The Senate bill give them uncheck-
ed discretion to form and regulate their domestic in
sutions subject only to the Constitution. OF course
they must be subject to the Constitution All of are
TO the Constitution oay And yet there Southern
gentlemen who think that valuable privilege is secured
to the South ia the opportunity of obtaining from the
people Of these Territories the admission of slavery Sir
it is apriyege have always had every where. 1t is
privilege enjoy to Vermont apd Massachusetts,
These States can admit slavery if they please; and
compel them to do so, by emieratng to them
and out-votng them, grounded go SUFFICIENT numbers.
Is any thing conceded to Nebraska than
enjoy to Vermont and Massachusetts,. We cannot
take slaves with to these States and trust have
shown that just little protection would be given by
the Senate bill if should take them Nebraska
Kansas .as.