Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-10

agltated the question, or if the representatives
OF the squatters agitated it, or touched it. il
must be presented in some questionable shape,
and he knew the resolutions denounced it
under ,ohaterer shape or color the attempt
may be made" If the Legislature passed any
law or regulation to introduce it, or to abolish
it, it was presenting it in color and shape
odious to one side or other of the conflicting
parties, exercising power not delegated, be-
cause not possessed by the authority from
which the delegated powers sprung, and agi-
tating the whole country, both in and out of
Congress, in manner dangerous to the public
peace and to the stability of our government.
The series of resolutions adopted by the De-
mocracy, recognized the principle contained in
the organic laws establishing the Territories of
Kansas and Nebraska, as embodying the only
sound and safe solution of the slavery ques.
tion-the principle 'cf acknowledgements by
Congress pM slape,y IN States and Terrific
ries;;' and it is stated expressly that ait was
rightly applied to the organization of Terrific
ries in 1854" Now, how could Mr. BUCHANAN,
by possibility, conceive that a noninterference
by Congress with slavery in States and Terri
tories in anywise comported with grant by
Congress to its agents in the Territories to
make regulations concerning slavery? How
could he conceive that it was rightfully applied
in the organization of the Territory of Kansas
in 1854, if Congress granted the power to
interfere with the subject then? We contend,
and we think with irresistible force, if it was
not granted by Congress then, the legislature
and the squatters who are but the agents of
Congress to make the needful rules and regu.
lations respecting the Territory, cannot obtain
the power from any other source and have no
right under any color or shape TO exercise it,
The Democratic party recognized the right
of the people of all the Territories, including
Kansas and Nebraska, acting through the
fairly expressed viii of the majority of actual
residents, and whenever the number of their
inhabitants justifes IT, to form constitution
with or without domestic slavery"
Now, in this resolution, Mr.. BUCHANAN could
not fail to discover these propositions, that the
people of a Territory have the right to form
their constitution with or without slavery.
How? When such is their will, fairly ex-
pressed-when it is.expressed by majority of
actual residents-and when the number Of
their inhabitants justifes it. You must note
these propositions distinctly and bear them in
mind when you apply the test of this resolution
to Mr.. BrcHANAS's letter Of acceptance. Does
the resolution maintain that the people have
the right, by their legislature, to provide that
the Territory shall be with or without domestic
slavery at their mere will? Does it maintain
the doctrine that nonresidents have the right
to thrust themselves into the Territory and
vote for or against slavery at every election, or
to obtain possession of the legislature and
pass such regulations2 The resolution speaks
of actual residents, of a majority of these, that
their will must be fairly expressed, and then
they have no such rights, no power to act until
| they come to form their constitution after OBJ.
tanning number of inhabitants sufficient to
entitle them to one member of Congress Who
can recognize the doctrine of squatter sover-
eighty here? He who can, must be a latitude
marian in construction beyond anything ever
assumed or contended for by the widest vision.
airy in his vaguest ideas Of unlimited powers.
Now these we're the circumstances by which
Dir. BUCHANAN was surrounded, and the plat.
form upon which be was asked 10 place him.
self fairly and squarely.
The act organizing the Territories OF Ne
braska and Kansas confers upon the Govern
ment established, the powers which are to be
exercised, and that Government can possess
no rights or powers not conferred The act
provides that the legislative power of the
Territory shall extend 10 all rightful subjects
OF legislation consistent with the Constitution
Of the United States and the provisions OF this
act They must be rightfia subjects of leeis-
lation, and consistent Nth The Constitution.
But for fear that unrigbteous, wrongful sub
jects might be introduced under the word
:" rightful," inasmuch as men differ as 10
what is rightful and wrongful, and even though
they know the right, will the wrong pursue,
it is provided, "That the Constitution and all
laws Of the United States which are not locally
inapplicable, shall have the same force and effect
within the said Territory Of Kansas as else.
where within the United States, except that the
9Th section Of the act preparatory to the admis-
sion Of Missouri into the Union, approved
March 9Th, 1920, which being inconsistent with
the principle Of non-intervention by Congress
with slavery in the States and Territories as
recognised by the leghlation Of 1850, com.
monty called the compromise measures, is
hereby declared imperative and void, it being
the true intent and meaning of this act not TO
legislate slavery into any Territory or State,
nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the
people perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their own way, subject
only to the Constitution Of the United States.r
Here, the principle is again asserted Of the
non-intervention by Congress with slavery in
the States and Territories as principle here