The daily union., 1854-02-25
Prom tho Pontae mica Jssksonian.
New Territories.


Agiiaiors and fsconists sndeavonx to mysty and
misepresea this issue, which. when understood, VIII
only be regarded harmless in its practical elect
but correct ia theory. The acts organizing Uish and
New Mexico. which constituted part OF the late meas
ares OF compromise established principle applicable to
all territorial organizations where the slavery consrover
~ could by possibility arise. That principle was ncor
poraied into this billwhieh. by implication would, and
BY subsequent amendment expressly snnuls and renders
imperative the Missouri Compromise Of 1890 The
simple question presented this shall the people OF
these Territories have the right decide upon the ques
ton OF slavery Tor themselves renewal Of the slavery
agitation If this matter understood is likely 10 re-
salt and it will be WE'LL therefore, before prejudice or
partisan feelings aroused. kenty examine the
question al issue. and dispassionalely decide.
| The fundamental axiom OF the Declaration OF lnds
pendence upon which forsfathers justified forcble
resistance 10 the mother country, was that covERH-
MEnTs INSTITUTED AMONG MEN, DERlvISG THEN
JUST THE GovERSEp."
This principle lies the very foundation, not only of our
national existence, but OF free institutions aud form
of government. The people here recognised, well
the source the repositories OF all power and all con-
s,iuions and legal authority derived from the popu
uar consent, expressed either directly through repre-
sentaves Ills this recognition OF the will OF the peo
ple-his consent OF the goyerned"tha is the peculiar
characteristic Of our institutions and their real merit
No principle better established than that the several
States OF this Union sovereign and such have full
authority regulate their internal and domestic policy,
abolish establish slavery, and TO control all similar
subjects of legislation. This is universally acknowl
edged by the and constitutional OF this
country, and is called State sovereignty. MIR. Clay,
upon this point speaking OF the Wilmot poviso. says
'f it adopted and applied TO any Territory, il
wous TO have any obligatory force such
Territory admitted State into the Union"
Congress might to-day admit State into the Union with
constitution forever prohibiting slavery, and
the people OF that State might assemble and change
their constitution TO establish slavery. This is the
consequence and result OF the self-governng principle
II capable OF self-goyernment, they fully
competent to determine their domestic institutions for
themselves, and in DOING Just and logical distine
ton be drawn between the inherent rights of the in
habians living within the bounds OF State Terri
tory.
"The meaning and inten, of this act" is declared TO be
the bill itself "no 10 legisate slavery into any Terri
tory State 10 exclude therefrom, bat TO leavs
the people thereof perfectly free 10 form and requisite
their domestic institutions in their way, subject to
the constitution of the United States'
Gan tnefe De planeT endorsement tpe demo-
cratic doctrines before alluded to than is here found
And if there is difference in the rights Of the people
Of ate or Territory, this bill assumes, and as rea
teaches, then the people can, constitutions y and
rghtfny, determine the question of slavery for hem
selves and should be permitted TO do so.
The doctrine OF the Nicholson letter. which is con.
gressional interference with the internal policy Of
the Territories, is the only safe course can ever
sk>I
compromise of 1885, that just and equal rule
which should govern the legislation of Congress in ref
erence 10 our Territories. II Congress should not and
does NOT inermeddle the management, Of territorial
matters. these subjects viii be left to the people. and
where can ii be safely consledi They certainly
will best know how promote their prosperity. aad
best their own advantage.
The principle of self government is plainly nui6ed By
rendering perpetual the Missouri Compromise line 1t
prohibits slavery beyond certain geographical line.
which. by deprivpg the people OF the privilege Of
choosing clearly opposed to the theory OF govern
men and to its adopted policy, expressed by the Coz
promise acts of 1850. The triumphant election OF Gen.
Pierce was an unmis,akabe endorsement Of these se,s
and we do not believe that the democracy OF this Union
will un wisely disregard them and aSitaoo by
assuming control the question Of slavery Whenever
Territory be organized, State admitted into the
Union
Gov Parsons, of this State, in letter recently pub
lshed, says
If Congress has the establish arbitrary line
beyond which slavery shall not 60, IL also have
power TO establish line to which 1t may co.
This proposition appeals to the good sense Of every
man. IT, then, deprecate slavery. as all most A.
IDENTIFY do should oppose the adoption of principle
which will, by possibility, fas,en upon any people An
evil which is beyond their power to abolish This illas
aies the incorrect principle upon which is based the
right FIX geographical line Of slavery prohibition.
II will be objected and is in fact the main argument
in opposition to this bill, that it overihrows a soemn
compact II should be recoec,ed that no compact is
binding in deroga,ion of the inherent right Of selfEov
ernment and besides, Congress, in essablshng pro-
hbng slavery, if not exceeding its powers s sxercis
ing an unwse authority. We regard bes. TO abide
BY every compromise, FIRST and last, sacredy and faith
fully; but, if they are wrong, shoud have no NOR
bid scfuples in repeating annuling them What hes
been is not necessarily right Every compromiss aad
every law answers present purpose and u just ~
competent to anna the and repeal the other, II
originally was to them II il said that the Mis-
sour Compromise is inconsistent with the late compso
mi.e acts and hence imperative. We need not dscas
this questions for il il 10 inconsistent with the principle
~ .olI ,o Il shopld he renealed