The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-09-13

r uey are notth ho uouoio VI "ohh5 III
! reference true one.
/ = have no sympathy with this plan o! pc
lnical ,rganization--none whatever neilhe
with the mi, ans it employs nor the objects
seeks 10 a,tai,,. Its secrecy, its oath boun
obligations, its cocto!, of the ballot box, il
system of prescription, striking both at polit
ical rights and religious dulles, ana lis lhev
liable tendency 10 array one portion oi Tue
community against another, and 10 carr,
deadly feuds into every corner of the land, o.
which we have just had terrible proof, writ
ten in characters of blood: and are doomed
10 have many more if this movement goes
on, for this is but The first inslalmsnt of
death, and bow many others are to follow
and 10 what extent, and when the last is to
be paid and after what amentable vicissi-
ludes, is known only to Him who foresses
events and can control lhem-lhese charac-
| lerisics mark it as the most dangerous
scheme which has ever been introduced in
| 70 our country to reg ulate It's public action
or its social condition. 1t is the organism Of
republic, scarcely better IN principle than
its ,nonarchial prolotype-of republic whose
fIeedom and equality justify as little as they
invite the introduction Of machinery whose
! operation is concealed from public observa-
tion, but whose consequences are as clear as
they are alarming.
I Gen. Houston gives credence to the reports
that approve "ihe platform of the American
order, as proclaimed to the world by the con-
ven,on at Philadelphia" | am aware that
changes have been made both in the name
and in some of the principles Of this new or
galizalion. But these changes do not re-
move my objections TO it, liz spirit of exclu-
sion and intolerance remains, and with H. its
evils and dangers. l, is book to which
cannot be reconciled, whatever addition,
whether the new one or the old one, is offer
ed to me. There is, indeed, one principle
[ laid down in that convention which meets
| my concurrence, and that is, the declaration
that " Congress ought not to lesislate upon
The subiec. of slavery, within the territory of
the United States" regret, however, that
the body which thus pronounced against the
exercise Of the power did not also pronounce
| agars, It's existence, but carefully permitted
10 use its own words-the expression of
any opinion upon that point Still, approve
it's action upon the subject, so far as 1t goes.
1t is a step in the right direction, and should
rejoice 10 see i, followed by every political
party in The country. 1t is a step, too, to-
wards the security of political rghts-ihis op-
position to the Legislation of Congress over
the internal affairs Of The people ol the terri
tories, ard among others, over The relation of
master and servant, or hat OF husband aud
wife, or parent aud child; for these matters
domestic policy are subjects which should
be left 10 The Territorial communities, and TO
dvest them of the power 10 regulate them is
an act OF unmiiiga,ed despolism. The mega
lion of all power OF interference by Congress
in the internal government of the Territories,
is ,he true constitutional doctrine, and the on
ly safe and practical one, and am rejoced
that, after years oil oppositon-of obloquy,
indeed-it is fast establishing itself upon I'M
presnable grounds. The misapprehension
which has prevailed upon This grave subject
| 10 among the most extraordinary political
! events Of my time. One would naturally
suppose that in this country the dogma OF the
righ. Of internal sovernmen, by an irrespon.
siblc Legislature over distant community,
unrepresented in the ruling body, would find
but little favor, and put in operation gov
eminent might as well be defended, while
the power 10 control all The concerns OF hui
man life world be left without an advocate.
The difference is broad aud practical, and
should be dearer 10 US, as il was the very
consideration urged by our revolutionary ia
| lhers in their contest with the mother coun-
try, which began BY argument, but ended by
arms. II was asserted as early as l774. when
| the Continental Congress declared that the
English colonists "are entitled 10 free and
exclusive power of Legislation in their sever
al provincial legislatures, where there might
of representation can alone be preserved, in
all cases of taxation and internal polly, &c."
In that great struggle the patriots VINO con-
ducted II c0nceueu 10 tne DIitisH Idtiidineht
the authority 10 organize colonial govern
ments, but denied their right 10 touch the in
ternal polily of the people; and for the sup
port of the great principle, denied and derided
as ii is now they went TO war.
! observe ,liat q highly respectable and in
telligent gentleman, Gov. Hunt, of New York,
in letter just published, speaks of the Ne
braska bill as "based on The absurd theory
of territorial sovereignty" / never heard
man support that measure or approve II ior
such a reason. Gov. Hunt has mistaken the
sneers OF its enemies for the views OF It's
friends. The Nebraska bill rests upon no
such theoy--upon 60 theosy aiall, but upon
the stable foundation Of the federal constu-
lion, and Of the natural nights of man.
know of no one who claims sovereignty
for The Territories. All concede their de-
peudence upon the United States. But with
| in this relation there are mutual rights and