Squatter sovereign., 1855-02-13
THE soUATTER.

An idea has prevailed hitherto, that the
Squatter was kind of demi-savage, that
vas not only incable of legislating for HIM
self, but really needed none, that he was
only kind of half civilized hunter, or trap
per, who recognized no law, and only de-
sired to be let alone. And although
Congress by solemn enactment declared
that he was capable of self government,
and of right ought to be permitted the ex-
ercise of it. Yet tine great truth seems
but little understood by some of the great
men from beyond the Mississippi. We
have, since October last, had Governor,
sundry Judges, an Attorney General Sec
retary Of State, Marshall, &C., said to be
in the Territory. But ifthere is any place
where, or time when, Court meets, or
any laws in force through the operations
of which, man could recover of another
a debt due,we have yet to hear Of it, and
this too, IN the face of the fact that over
three thousand votes have been polled, at
an election held since the time when these
finctionaries were said to have arrived.
We have no desire to do the Governor,
or his Official brethren, any injustice, but
would simply call their attention tothe fact,
that here, as well as in the States, the
Squatter is the Sovereign and the officers
only the ssruants, different idea seems
to prevail, and disposition to reverse the,
great truth, in making the Officers the SOW
ereign, and the people the servants. We
the Squatters assert, and intend to insist,
upon our souereignty, and will tolerate no
usurpation Of our rights. The first thing
we insist upon, is an early session of the
Territorial Legislature, that we may be
enabled to frame such laws as we will
be willing to support, and be governed by.
ing subject to what some lawyer-J Judge-
Governor, may think to be law, and which
no one else can understand. In short we
are tired of living without law, or what
is worse, being subject to what one man
thinks is the law, and yet knows of no.
means of enforcing.
The Squatter is law abiding citizen,
when he knows the law, but in our present
condition, subject at all times to be insulted,
and injured, in person and property, and
no method ofredress known to us. The only
wonder is, that scenes ofviolence and blood
shed are not matters of daily occurrence.
The non-occurence Of these, is a fact that
speaks volumes in favor of the character
of our citizens: and it is matter Of con-
graduation to the westernman, that nearly
every scene of violence has occurred
among the emigrant aid gentry.
1t is historical fact that almost all the
contentious which result in bloodshed in
the settlement of a new country, have their
origin in some dispute about land claims
(the great apple of discord) hence the
urgent necessity for Legislation on that
particular subject, that difficulties between
claimants may be settled by law, and not
by mob violence.
We understand the Governor intends
to order an election in FEBRUARY, we hope
it is true, it is indeed high time. In Ne
| braska, further north, with much larger
Territory, and not half the population, they
have been organized for some time past
and are now at work making their own
laws, and going on quietly, and prosper
ously; while we are in a perfect state Of
anarchy: practically giving the lie to the
spirit of our bill, which recognizes oul
right, and ability to legislate for ourselves.