The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-09-01


said higher power may, in its mightness
think best suited for the people. Let us
compare our own with the government Of the
new territories. The people of the territory
must have governor. II the principle of
sclf-9orcrnment is recognized they will, of
course, do as we do--elect one by vote Of
all the citizens Of the territories--the can
dida,e having the majority of all the votes
cast, to be declared elected. Now mark the
contrast! The fact OF their wanting Gov
erhor reaches the ears of the President, di.
rectly or indirectly-and he in the super-ex.
celence of his benevolence sends them one.
Yes, the President Of the United States, liv-
ing at Washington, hundreds of miles from
the territory, and knowing probably as much
OF its pecuiarities as Mrs. Jellyby of phlan.
,hropic memory know of the wids and the
unkempt savages of Baribook Cha, selects a
man, in all probability as ignorant of the
country as HIMSELF to 90 there and act as
Governor. This creature of the President
has power to veto acts Of the Legislature, and
no doubt would not be at all sverse, in ma
| jority of instances, to exercise this high pre-.
rogative. This then is the species Of self
government that is fundamental to Democ.
racy."
| Again--broken laws, and loose state Of
morals demand judiciary. Were we in like
circumstances we would again resort to the
ballot box, and it should be oui arbiter.---
This ue do, and ,re govern ourselves. But,
say the Democracy (D of Belmont, the peo-
pie of Nebraska govern themselves. Then
of course they elect their judges! The rec-
ord shows that of course, they do no such
thing! The kind Offices of the President are
again in requistion, and again he sends men
there to sit in judgment on the people of the
territories who are entire strangers, and who
have not the slightest sympathies with the
Inhabitants! This may be Democratic (!)
self.government, but if il is it i'll accords with
our notions Of the true intent aid meaning o!
the term.
But, say the supporters Of the Bill, trium'
phantly, they elect their own legislators--is
not that self.gorernmenn Well, perhaps il
is, and perhaps il is not These legislators
when elected, and qualified, make laws, as
they think, for the good of the people al
large. Living among the people and being
of the people, these men know what the me-
cessities of the people are, and nre prepares
to provide for them. Very good, so far, but
when these laws are passed they are submit.
ted to the imported governor for his approval
or veto. Every enactment of the Legislature
must be submitted to the scrutiny Of the Gov
ernor, and if the energy Of northern slavery
haters succeeds in peopling the territory with
free men, and Legislature passes a Bill
providing that Slavery, or involuntary servi-
tude except for the punishment of crime shall
be prohibited, this law must 60 TO the COVER
nor for his approval or Usto, end il such be
the case, God help the poor inhabitants, for
we believe, the law will be vetoed as surely
as the Missouri Compromise has been re-
pealed.
Bu. there is one particular point in which
the Democracy are right in saying the peo.
pie can govern mselves-and such point!
Before this Bill was passed it was as impos-
sibe for Slavery to 60 to Nebraska lawfully
as it is for the present Administration to do q
grea; and praiseworthy action. Thatrestric.
tion Congress broke down, and now the peo-
pie of the territories can by their votes bring
slavery into the territory--we, the people of
Ohio cannot. Thanks to the Continental
Congress which passed the ordinance of 1887
and the LIST Congress under the Constitution
which ratified it. In the new territories
Congress interferes in every single domestic
arrangement of the territory, and il they wish
to prohibit slavery, we are justified in saying
tHdt VIII lHltTleT6 prevent tne
prohibition.
II this be self.government, we care no,
how soon the internal doctrine is wiped from
our statute books anddriven from the world,
1t would ensla'e the very citizens of Ohio
Under the pretence of ofintroducing the princi
pie of se!-goUernment more thoroughly into
our State, Congress would repeal the ordi
nance of 'S7, and open up the great North
Western territory, (now formed into grea
ndpowerful States) to the pollution of sla
very. 1t was supporter of this same prin
clple Of self government who prayed to Sc,
the day when he might "call the roll of hi,
slaves beneath Bunker III II Monument" i
was another supporter of the same p-incipl,
who declared that he ",oould sooner see Ne
brasks sank in hell than CONS into the Uaio,
a free State" 1t is the Supporters of th