Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-07
WASHINGTON, d. G.
MONDAY, JANUARY Z. 1866.
Vrpp SIAN ELLIS
s snsr 4f,c G. B aET'Y Editors
al IfaIse Issue.

fishes detached portions OF an address issued
by the Democratic State Committee of Iowa.
in which, amongst other questions, the doctrine
of "squatter sovereignty" is thus discussed:
"This Is a brief outline Of the legislation on the
Nebraska Kansas issue The principle which
finally governed this Legislation Is the very princi-
pie that induced our fathers to throw off the Brit
ish yoke. 1t is that which places the States on an
equality which goes further, and secures to every
American citizen equality Of rights, live on what
American soil he may. Whether in Florida or
Maine, Louisiana or Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas
the republican right Of participating in the pre-
scripton of the rules that are to govern his do
mestic affairs is guaranteed to him--yea, the con-
sttutional right to be entitled TO all the privileges
and immunities Of citizens 1t mattereth not
where any of US may live--whether on this or that
side of a river--on this or that side OF an imagi
nary or a marked line--in this or that State or
Territory, so that we are on american SOLVE
have the same right, the same immunities, the
same privileges, in the pursuit OF happiness ana
possession and enjoyment OF property II is this
republican and constitutional right which guaran-
ties to our sons, neighbors, and friends who may
choose to leave us and settle elsewhere, the same
rights we enjoy.
"They carry with them every right and every
privilege which they possessed while in our midst,
and were among us and OF US. The division OF
American soil by political lines does not un Amer
icanize any portion Of our common country or any
of the people who occupy 1t and whether the Gre
alton of State or Territory may be the result
of that division the citizens of every portion retain
their republican privileges and immunities.' AS
there can be no law where there are no subjects for
it TO act upon, it results that the right to make
laws accompanies the Individual and hence citi-
zens removing from States to Territories retain
that right as much as ii they were to remove from
one State to another State. The right, then, to de-
termine the question Of African slavery rests with
the citizen wherever he may go. In the States the
right to abolish slavery has never been questioned,
nor can the correatve right to establish it be ques
toned New York, and all but one of the old
Northern States have exercised the one and main
tanned the other. What power, then, can prevent
the citizens of these States from exercising the
same rights If they choose to settle elsewhere on
soil in which they have an undivided interest~
The principle Of "squatterJ sovereignty is
falsely stated in the above extract if the pro-
visions of the Kansas-Nebraska act contain
the true doctrines Of "squatter sovereignty"
as is alleged and maintained by all who assert
this doctrine in Congress. Our readers will
perceive that throughout the whole Of the,
above extract, the term "citizens" is used,
and not inhabitants. There is palpable dis
tinction between "citizens" and inhabitants.
/" Citizens" Of the United States are those only
who were born within the country, or have
been naturaEed under the act Of Congress.
Inhabitants is term which may embrace all
classes OF persons, Of all descriptions felons,
patpers, and others inhabiting any given To-
cality.
If the doctrine of ''squatter sovereignty
were limited to "citizens" Of the United States,
it would be far less objectionable But as re-
CARDS Kansas and Nebraska 1t has no such
limitation. The Kansas-N ebraska act section
reads, "that eusry free tohite male inhabit-
ant above the Hge of 81 years, &c, &C., shall
be entitled to vote" &c. BY an express pro-
vision in the same section, "those soho shall
hare declared on cath their intention to be-
come citizens" &C., shall be entitled to the
right of suffrage and OF holding office in the
Territory Under this law, aliens not
Ave days in the country, criminals whose
shackles were knocked off upon their landing
on our shores, and patpers shipped hither at
public expense, arc made equal to native-born
Americans the moment they reach the Terri
tory and take the oath prescribed, and may
not only pote, but hold c1fcel
This is that "squatter sovereignty" which
the present administration has inaugurated,
and which it now maintains. Is the country
prepared for tho adoption of this nefarious
doctrinep Are the naturalization laws thus
to be violated Instead of extending the term
of probation for foreigners, all barriers are
thrown down, and people of all kindreds,
tongues, and languages, are invited to become
american citizens by the mere act of kissing
the book! If this principle of "squatter
sovereignty" is endorsed by members of the
+" American party" this party might as well be
dissolved and destroyed.
No considerations Of policy will induce US
to consent to this doctrine, nor can we consent
that the administration shall mislead the pub
lie mind, by the publication Of such an exposi-
ton Of the doctrine as is found In the Iowa
Democratic address from which we copy the
above extract We repeat that this address
seeks to make false issue by representing
that citizens of the United States only, are
to exercise suffrage under that revolutionary
and mobocratic doctrine, called "squatter SOY.
ereignty." This administration, bold and daring
as it is, in its vilanies, dare not present this
doctrine in its naked deformity and attempt to
vindicate it.
Richmond (va.) Resolutions.
The American party of Richmond, Virginia,