M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-09-04
COUNTY TICKET.
SelC-Governnent n "New idea ~

SeiE-G0VernIneut II NEW ANcd !
Some of our opponents declare that the
principle for which the democracy now con-
tend is altogether new! Only think of it.,
reader principle enunciated in the de-
claratiOn Of independence and fought for in
the Revolutionary war, a "new idea -
governments derive their just powers from
the consent Of the governed"--this, say the
freedom shriekers, is new doctrine! To
leave the people of the territories free to
regulate their own domestic concerns, sub.
ject to the federal constitution, something
"new under the sun" isit! Let US see.
The treaty which secured to the United
States the vast territory Of Louisiana, left
the question of slavery with tAe people.
The act organizing the territories of Or
leans and Louisiana did not prohibit slavery,
but left the subject where it justly be long
ed, with the inhabitants. ......
In 1870, Congress passed territorial act
for the Territory of Tennessee, which North
Carolina had ceded to the Union. The Or.
jinance Of 1887, with the exception Of the
clause prohibiting slavery, was applied to
it,and the people were left free have slave
ry or not, as a majority ofthem might deter
mine.
In 1898, a territorial act was framed for
Mississippi. The subject of slavery was
placed in the hands Uf the people, whom
Congress at that time considered compe-
tent to regulate their own domestic con-
Germs. The democracy think that they are
still competent.
In 1917, Alabama was organized as ter.
ritory, but there is nothing in the act which
prohibits slavery-that question, as we'll as
other local matters, being left with the
people.
In 1919, Arkansas was put under terrific
rial government, but there was no prohibit
tion of slavery.
1t is true that Congress passed laws for
carrying into effect the Ordinance Of 1887,
by which the North Western Territory was
to be divided into not less than two nor more
than five States, and which prohibited sla.
very therein, but it is also true that the Or
dinance was nullity in respect to the Inter
provision. Slavery existed in Indiana and
Illinois, not twithstanaing the ordnance
The territorial Legislature of Illinois passed
law after law protecting slavery, and the
first constitution OF that State recognized
the institution. The people declared, that
Congress had no right to- interfere in their
domestic concerns; and, in 1918, when II,
linois applied for admission as State, ant
when her constitution was objected to be
cause it recognized slavery, Gen. Harrison
coniended that the States of the Nortl
western Territory had as perfect sovereign
ty as other States, and that Illinois, in tn
face Of any law Congress had passed, ha
the right to hold slaves if her people willie
TO do so. Illinois was admitted with he
slaves by vote Of 1T to "a.
Thus, up to 1920. Congress had passe'
no original law interfering with the subjec
of slavery in the territories. Then came tn
dangerous agitation of the subject-the cor
VulsiOn OF the country by the abolition fec
eial leaders shrieking for freedom! Th
agitation was somewhat quieted by the pai
sage of the Missouri Compromise, an az
to which both Jefferson and Madison wei
opposed. President Monroe believed it VI
constitutional; but as there was room for
doubt, his extreme anxiety to give repose
the country finally induced him to sign th
Bill.