Squatter sovereign., 1855-10-16

Constitution and the laws of Nature TO the
settlement Of our Territories, or by retain
ing the restriction indirectly to abolish Sla-
very in Missouri. If the latter alterna-
tive had to be selected, it would have been
an act of charity and mercy to the slave
holders of Missouri to warn them In time
of the necessity of abandoning their homes,
or manumitting or selling their slaves
to give them ample time to determine the
sacrifice Of fifty millions of slave property
or seventy-fve millions of landed estate.
Direct legislation would have been prefer
able to indirect Legislation leading to the
same result, and the enforcement of the re-
strietion in the settlement of Kansas was
virtually the abolition of Slavery in Mis-
souri,. But Congress acted more wisely,
as we think, and with greater fidelity to
the Constitution and the Union
The history of the Kansas-Nebraska
bill is known to the country. 1t abolished
the geographical line of So deg. 80 min.,
by which the limits of Slavery were re-
stricted, and substituted constitutional
and just principle, which left to the people
of the Territories to adopt such domestic
institutions as suited themselves. If ever
there was a principle calculated to CONF
mend itself to all reasonable men, and rec
oncile all conflicting interests, this would
seem to have been the one. It was the
principle Unpopular sovereignty-the basis
upon which our indepence has been schiv-
ed-and it was therefore supposed to be
justly dear to every American, Of every
latitude and every creed. But fanaticism
was not satisfied. The Abolitionists and
their allies moved heaven and earth to ac-
complish its defeat. and although unsuc-
cessful they did not therefore despair
Out-voted in Congress, receiving no counte-
eancs from the Executive, they retired to
another theatre of action, and strange to
say, they yprostituted an ancient and respec-
table Commonwealth = one of the Old
Thirtsen-to commence in her sovereign
capacity as State, with the means and
imposing attitude incident to such a posi-
ton, crusade against Slavery, novel in
its character, more alarming in its features
and likely to. be more fatal in its consequent
ces, than all the fanatical movements hith-
erto attempted, since the appearance of Alb
olitionism as political party in 1885,
They originated and matured scheme
never before heard Of or thought OF in this
country, the object and effect of which was
to evade the principle Of the Kansas-Ne-
braska bill, and in lieu of fnon-intervention
by Congress to substitute active interven-
ton by the States. An act of incorpo-
ration was passed; company with cap
ital Of five millions was chartered; and
this company was authorized to enlist an
army of mercinary fanatics and transport
them to Kansas. Recruiting officers were
stationed in places most likely to furnish
the proper material; premiums were Of
fered for recruits; the public mind was
stimulated by glowing and false descrip-
tions of the country proposed to be occupi-
ed and a Hessian band of mercenaries
was thus prepared and forwarded, to COM
merce and carry on a war Of externiina-
ton against Slavery.
To call these people emigrants is a
sheer perversion of language. They are
not sent to cultivate the soil, to better theil
social condition, to add to their Individual
comforts, or the aggregate wealth Of the
nation. They do not move from choice OF
taste, or from any motive affecting, or sup
posed to affect. themselves or their fami-
lies. They have none of the marks of the
old pioneers who cut down the forests oI
Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, or leEelled
the canebrakes of Tennessee and Mississ.
ippi. or broke up the plains of Illinois and
Missouri. They are mostly ignorant %
agriculture; picked up IN cities and villa.
ges. they of course have no experience a.
farmers, and ifleft to their unaided resour.
ces-if. not clothed and fed by the. same
power which has effected their transporta,
tion-they would starve or freeze. They
are hirelings-an army Of hirehngs-re
cruited and shipped indirectly by sover
eign State of this Union TO make war up
on an institution now existing in the Ter
ritory to which they are transplanted, ane
thence to infliet fatal blow upon the re
sources, the prosperity, and the place of
neighboring State. They are military col
onies, planted by a-State Government 1
subdue Territory opened to settlemen
by Congress, and take exclusive possession
{ thereof In addition to that esprit da corps
which Of necessity pervades s,.ch AN Oh
ganizauon, they have In common a .reck
| less and desperate fanasicisiD. whlea teaelie