Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-07
LET US HAVE LIGHT.

We have heretofore avowed our opposition to
any effort to keep alive agitation with view to
any such impracticable and useless result as the
repeal of the Nebraska act; but we confess we are
at loss to conceive what there is in the annexed
resolution of the New York Wing Convention to
draw down on it such vehement denunciation on
the part Of some Southern Wing journals Read
the resolution and give US its point
Rssolred That against the principles involved il the
Nebraska BILL in their application either to territory now
belonging the Union hereafter to be acquired the
wings OF New York viii struggle with equal resolution
and confidence that they cannot receive the saIction
of the American people and in this struggle we invite
the operation Of equality and fraternity OF
all sincere and champions OF free labor ard Tree
soil"
In this resolution the Wings of New York pledge
themselves to struggle against the "principes in
volved in the Nebraska bill" Now, what are these
principles? According TO the Interpretation Of
Northern Democrats there is but one principle in
the bal, viz Popular Sovereignty, as explained
by them, or "Sauattar Sovereignty" as denounced
by both Wings and Democrats Of the South since
lS4S, when it was proclaimed by Gen. CAss in his
Nicholson letter That this g great principle about
which the official paper and its adjuncts talk so
fuently, is far from being palatable to the South
ern Democracy, cannot be denied by any one who
Is familiar with the almost universal denunciation
OF the doctrine in that quarter The Democracy
there are not to be mised by the honied phrase Of
popular sovereignty" particularly since it is the
boast of the presses and politicians in the North and
West that the measure is practically adverse to the
spread Of slavery. The metropolitan organ has
played SO strongly upon what it fancied to be a
popular key that it has provoked the Richmond En-
quirer to the following indignant reputation and
emphatic warning:
FROM THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER ocroBER g.
Sqsaaer Sopaegny.--A Ntp Plank in the Platform
The indscreet zeal with which the Washington Union
laboring to incorporate the Cass dogma Of Squa Sore
ygnty into the creed of the Democratic party excites
universal regret among the Democracy of the South For
ourselves enter earnest protest against any sud-
mischievous innovation.
In l848 when Gen. Cass promulgated this doctrine Of
squatter sovereignty in tmid and ambiguous phrase
ology, the Democratic parry in the South rejected the prs-
cPe Nth unanimous and indignant protest They went
20 far to dispute its paternity and to maintain with
much show of reason that Gen. Cass did entertain
any such heresy His words susceptible Of dou-
BILE meaning, and unwilling to impugn either his
or his soundness we gave him the benefit of charitable
interpretation. In truth, could not believe that
Statesman in whom reposed implicit trust was really
the victim of absurd delusion. The Democracy of
ths South viii forget with what rude shock they
we're awakened from their stupid confidence The cleo
tion over Gen. Cass favored the country with common
fary the obscure text of his Nicholson letter. and with
emphasis and rankness Of explanation which shud
der to recoec actually disputed the sanity of any
who could not Sqaher Sovereignty in his oracuar
epistle For oil nice distinction and laborous expo
ston got the reward Of contempt for stupidity
If Gen. CAss had honestly avowed his meaning before
the election doubt he oud hare rcceired the vote of
sgls State the South, SO UNIVERSAL WAS THE REPUDIA-
TON Of his squater sovereignty dogma THE STATE
RIGHrs DEAocKAcY Time and reflection have but con-
6rmed its MIscHIEvoUs TENDENCY; and yet the Wash
ington Union proposes nterpoae into the platform
OF the party Names do not alter the nature of things
and the heresy is still the same and the less mon
strous although give the advantage Of attractive
label The principle that the Territories have the right
as to determine the character Of their institutions is
the less repusve the State Rights Democracy for
the captivating phrase popular sovereignty.
The Union processes to find authority for the doc
trine Of squatter sovereignty in the terms Of the Ne
braska bill and must confess there is too much rea-
in the allegation To say the least the Nebraska
bill like the Nicholson letter. is susceptible of construc-
ton favorable to the principle Of squatter sovereignty
and was for this very that entreated the
Of the State Rights Democracy procure
amendment Of its phraseology They did not heed
our suggestion and now the attempt is made to quote
their own language in justification of principle quite
iodioss as the Missouri restriction.
The Union" ayails itself Of unfair advantage and
If it has any regard for the feelings Of the Southern De-
ocracy win desst from its effort to incorporate squat
ter sovereignty into the platform Of the party The pre-
rogative Of defining authsratvey the principles of the
Democratic party belongs exclusively TO the National
Conventions Congress- much less to any faction
indiyidua BY its present the " Union viii not
only fail Of its object but viii scatter dissatisfaction and
dissension into the ranks Of the party. We Of the South
sru nepv submit 10 squatter sovereignty.
In the Northern States, as our readers have been
repeatedly informed, the Nebraska bill is sustained
almost exclusively upon this doctrine of squatter
sovereignty In Michigan, especially, where the
views of Gen. CAss are fully understood, the Free
Press is absolutely trying to prove the Wing can
didate friend to slavery. Does any one doubt
this anomalous position of the Western wing of the
Democracy? Here is the proof:
FROM THE DETROIT FREE PRESS OF SEPT. 2S
We cannot doubt that the Detroit Tribune speaks by
authority when it announces, it did Tuesday, that
Mr. william A. Howard sis in favor Of repeating the
Nebraska actn The Tribune is Mr.. Howard peculiar
organ and it would hardly make material statement
without the knowledge and consent of the person most
interested.
Ins:. L.. NJ Tynrvo vI 10 In faynr a