The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-10-18

was Qenled by none VI OUT DrANe Ahu laIthluA
Benjamins of the South-not a Senator!
But if this phrase; "subject to the Consti-
tuition" does restrain or prevent the people OF
the Territories from exercising this power, it
only adds more disgrace to the already infa-
nous act, and to the men who voted for it.
They would be relieved from squatter sovereign
ty, only at the expense d their honor or brains.
II, while giving power in such full and explicit
terms, they knew the phrase had such effect,
they "thimblerigged the people Of the Terri
%tories!' II the phrase hsN such meaning, and
they did not know it, ~ should be at school,
or at the plow, and mott Congress.
Now having shown from the plain reading
of the Kansas bill, as well as from the incon-
testible evidence of its trainers, that from the
beginning to the epd of the Terrific nggani-
%zation, the people have, under san +. the
right to permit or prohibit slavery ; let us see
what the Democratic platform says, for t is
relied on to relieve the Democratic ty
(" from the body of this death"
1t declares that " the American Demo- acy
recognise and adopt the principles eontaineu y,
the organic laos establishing the Territories Of
Nebraska and K ansas,'' etc. What Democrat
now can have the assurance and hardihood to
deny that squatter sovereignty is Democratic
principle?
But they point to til following, which does
not touch or even hj6itt At the question. 1t is
o separate and subseqnSnt resolution, pertain.
ing to, and providing 6r, another subject.
" Resolved that VS. cognize the right Of the
people Of all the Territories, including Kansas
and Nebraska, acting through the fairly ex-
pressed will of the majority Of actual residents,
and whenever the number of their inhabitants
%justifes it, to form a Constitution, nth or
wlthot1t domestic Slavery, and to be admitted
into the Union, on terms Of perfect equality
with the other States"
This simply recognizes "the right Of the
people" of a Territory, when they are nu-
merous enough, to form a Constitution, and
be admitted into the Union, with or without
slavery.
1t does not even hint at the power they have
exercised before this period--say for five, ten,
twenty, or fifty years--while remaining in a
Territorial condition. 1t has no reference to
this time, but refers solely to the time and act
of forming a State" Constitution.
But we must conclude for the present. Is
it strange that Senator Benjamin should have
refrained from the discussion and defense Of
this baleful heresy-he being one of the here.
siarchs? Is it strange that he should stand
selEconvicted, silent and ashamed, before an
indignant constituency, who charge him with
having sacrificed their rights on the altar of
fanaticism? Is it strange that he should be
lodging, all over the State, the Paixhan guns
Of sqmtter sovereignty, and alien suffrage
though still, with his Sancho Pauza, bravely
fighting wind-mills and locks Of sheep? Ought
a man ever to show his head again in the
South, who established against her, the grab
game in the Territories, and imported aliens to
play it against native citizens-giving the
former in every case the advantage? Finally,
is it strange that the Democratic party South
should try to disrobe itself of the Messiah shirt
Of squatter s~overeignty-a filthy shirt! which
is torturing its body and poisoning its life
blood? More anon. B. j. S.