Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-02-23

Michigan on the Slave Question:
General Cass refuses to obey In.
observation-disclosures to. resign---
Popular Sovereignty vetoed
On tho 10Th ult.. the Senate OF
Michigan passed, by vote Of &c to 8,
q series of strong resolutions upon the
question Of slavery. and instructing
their Senators and Representatives in
Congress TO vote for the immediate
repeal Of so much Of the Kansas and
Nebraska Bills as abrogate the Mis-
souri, Compromise Act. and also to vote
for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave
Law. The same resolutions subse-
quently passed the House nearly
unanimously. and were sent to Wash
ington. And what, gentle reader, do
you imagine was their fate? Would
you not suppose that democratic Sena-
tors. like those from Michigan. would
at once bow to the mandates Of the
people? Would not Gen. Cas-, al
laast. who exulted soin the passage oil
the Nebraska Bill, because il was a
triumph Of popular Sovereignty
would he not respond TO his constitu.
ents by a humble bow. and say. "Your
obedient servant, sirs?" Ono would
have thought so. from the numerous
speeches he made last summer in be-
half Of popular rights. But what are
the facts? Simply these; Mr.. Stew
art, the junior Senator. coolly remark.
ed that when the time came for action.
he would define his position; but Gen.
cass-the father Of the phrase. squat
ter soyereignty"-sent word, by tele-
graph. to his constituents. and to all
the nation besides, that HE WOULD
NEITHER OBEY INSTRUCTIONS
NOR RESIGN
We have among our readers hun
dreds of honest Democrats whose OPP
position 10 the spread Of slavery is
fixed and abiding. and who very re-
luctantly cast their votes last fall, for
those who favorsd the repeal of the
restriction line which said to slavery.
"Thus far thou mayest come. but no
farther" But they love the rights oil
the people. and intend to guard those
rights jealously. For this wo do not
blame them. II is right. In our very
heart Of hearts we love the doctrine
Of popular rights, and we love those
who love il. and no act Of ours shall
ever favor any other doctrine.
During the canvass last summer we
more than once contended that the
plea Of popular rights was q mere
humbug, got up TO deceive honest but
too credulous men. The repeal Of
that boundary was for the extension
Of slavery. and every subsequent
event has proved it to be so. The
MODS Of Missourians that took pos.
session Of the polls proveit. The de.
votion OF Gen. Atchison TO the slave
interests proves it. And the acts o.
Congress this winter prove that popu'
lar rights or squatter rights are not &c
be regarded.
As we said last week. wo think Con
gress did right in reviewing the act,
Of the Minnesota legislature. and ia
annulling whatever II thought wrong
therein. This is consistent with al
precedent, and with the constitution
and with common sense. Territories
are minors. The parent-the Genera
Government-is responsible for theil
behavior and their expenses-appoint'
their officers and removes them a
pleasure, and always will control then
in every thing, except on the SLAYER!
question: On that. the new-fanglet
doctrine is. they must be sovsrsignsi
We hope now. to hear no more pratt
ing about squatter rights, or popala'
fights. When as grave Senator a
Gen. Cass. impudently says to hi
constituents that he will neither OBEY
instructions nor resign. we think pop
ular rights are gone. II the peopl,
may not instruct their Senators, thro
their legislatures. on measures Of tn
most vital importance. especially when
as in this case. they were unlooke'
for at the time of the election Of sen
ator, then is the United States Senat
an irresponsible body. differing in n
important sense from the Britis
House Of Lords. Farewell, then.
American Libertyl Farewell to tn
Rights Of the Peoplel
FUNNY, VERY.-0ur Office was neal