Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-04-25
Squatter Sovereignty.

Squatter Sovereignty.
From an article in yesterdays Enquirer, this
subject we begin to indulge the hope that doctrine
more odious than the Wilmot Proviso, will not be
formally incorporated in the Democratic creed AT
Cincinnati without struggle on the part of por-
ton, at least of the Southern delegates We have,
from time to time, exhibited the most conclusive and
overwhelming evidence, that almost the entire De
mocracy of the North are the apologists and advo-
Gates Of this foul and dangerous political heresy-s
hercsy which would inevitably bind the South hand
and foot crush all her rights in the Territories
restrict slavery forever to its present limits and H.
naly result by thus calming and combining 1t, in It's
overthrow in the States where it now exists. We
say the whole of the Democratic party at the North
with here and there an individual exception, are
committed to this doctrine; and yet they are contn
uav represented by their allies of the South
sentative national States Rights men, sound TO the
core all questions pertaining TO the rights of the
slave-hodcr. That this assumption is entirely un-
founded and false is now sufficiently demonstrated
by the article in the Enquirer to which have al
luded an extract from which we here subjon. Our
neighbor thus berates and denounces the doctrine al
most universally maintained by his Northern breth-
rem:
Among the fair but false and fatal theories of the day.
none much homage the Squatter Sovereign
ty' courtezan. There are radiant with meretr
cious charms none ready with decetiu promise aud
none 80 sure to cover victim with shame and reprosch
The sovereignty OF the people is noble principle, and
should command universal homage Squatter Sovereign
ty' is imposture-a counterfeit copy-an ugly idol
wrought by mems hands-and should be kicked off the
pedestal where it sits in mock majesty and courts the ad
Grafton of fools and dcmagogues."
Now, we contend that if 'Squatter Sovereignty"
is the thing il is here represented TO be by the Enq"
Ter-if it is 'imposture" cheat, fraud-if 1t is
odious to the South, and more etectually sub
versive of her rights than Wilmot Provisoism-then
those politicians, of whatever party or section, who
advocate and maintain it, necessarily enemies of
the South unworthy of her confidence and deserving
her severest denuncations. In what category, then,
according TO the EHqairer's own statement of the
case should we place Messrs Cass, Douglass, Pierce
Richardson and all the other Democratic politicians
at the North Is il not notorious that each and all
Of them are the open and boastfu advocates OF the
'false and fatal theory" which the Enquirer pro
pery and yehemently condemns? And this being so,
does it not necessarily follow from our neighbOr'S
own premises that they not sound on the subject
most nearly and vitality affecting the rights OF the
South aud should therefore be repudiaed and scout
ed by the Enquirer and all other Southern men ,
We submit that this conclusion is inevitable from
the Eaguirers reasoning 1t has indeed, furnished
an argument against the South trusting these dis
tingushed Northern Democrats, which defy either
itself or any of its party to successfully meet
But not only is the dangerous heresy denounced
by the Enquirer, almost universally prevalent
mong its party at the North, but il likewise has it,
advocates and defenders among leading men of its
party here at the South The following extract from
4 speech of the Hon. q. w Jones, of Tennessee, de-
lvered in the House of Representatives December
2sth, 1855 will emphatcaly enough attest the truth
Of what We assert. He said
ain his opinion the Kansas and Nebraska act recog-
Missed th full force and power in all its vigor of the
rights OF thepeople of the Territories egsate t-
subject slavery prior their organization State
srnJnent fully and completely recognised the pow
Of the people Of the States the subject of all do
mestic questions delegated the government Cen
tlemen might call il what they pleased non.inerv, qon
squaIter sovereignty popular sovereignty pow
Of the people which they had delegated the
government and in his opinion, they, and they alone
should exercise it, ioeH rhie in Territorial cond-
ton in a State Government"
There is the judgment Of appointment Southern De.
mocrat in relation to the "nposture the ugly idol
the "fase and fatal theory, which provokes the a
nathemAs of the Richmond Enquirer There is his
construction, too of the Kansas Nebraska act which
he afrms, recognizes the right Of the people Of the
Territories to legisate the subject of slavery ri.
or TO their organization state Gorernmenn
Now, how do Mr. Jones views on the subject OF
"squatter sovereignty" square with those promulga
ted by the Enguirerl lie maintains that the people
Gas well whHe in Territorial condition a. in II
State government, have the unquestionabe right to
La. a.. IL.
practical application" TO his doctrine. that dor
en- or twenty vagnbonds sent to Kansas by the Emi
grant Aid Societies Of the North have the right the
moment they reach there to determine that the slave
holder with his property shall never be allowed to
enter that Territory The Enquirer, on the contra.
~, maintains that, "if Tcrritordtiegislaturew were
to attempt TO abolish slavery within the limits o
any territory, It would be the imperative duty Of tn,
Federal government to interfere and protect the &c.
curities Of property'-that only "whcn a tcrrtor,
becomes an independent political organization. ana
assumes the rights and responsibilities Of State.
II sovereign and master Of its own institutions
But we must leave the Tennessee Democrat and Oh,
Enquirer TO reconcile their differences Of opinion on
this important Question, as best they may.
We submit in conclusion, that it is simply impos
sible for the Eaghscr 10 support the nominee Of h
Cincinnati convention, without first requiring O
him frank and open avowal Of his views in repsr
TO the false and fatal theory to which it so strenu
ously objects. We shall therefore, look for the Gin
cinnad confession Of faith with no little interest
satisfied that unless it contains an emphatic denun
citation Of the doctrine Of "squatter sovereignty tn
EHquirer and its party in the South will promptly
and Indignantly refuse to sustain the candidates tina
may be put upon H.
Pointed Rebuke.
IN the proceedings of Democratic meeting bel,
IT Nichols Court House. aud which we find q
lished ~ the Richmond EHquir,r we obsei g.. IL