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


ask is there anything m0nstrous in this 7 Does
It Justify squatter sovereignty?
Mr.. BUCHANAN continues: 1.-THE Kansas
Nebraska act does no more than give the
force of law to this elementary principle OF
selfgovernment, declaring it to be the true in
tent and meaning of this act, not to legislate
slavery into any Territory or State, nor to ex-
clude it therefrom; but TO leave the people
thereof free to form and regulate their domestic
institutions in their own way, subject only to
the Constitution of the United States" This
principle will surely not be controversial by
any individual of any party protesting devotion
to the popular government
We have already explained in what sense
the words to form and regulate their institu-
tions must be taken, to give to them a fair
construction, one in accordance with the scope
of the whole platform from which he does not
mean to depart, and with the tenor of his whole
letter, in which he intends to raise no new
issues not raised in the platform itself
Mr.. BUCHANAN says: Chow vain and illusory
would any other principle prove in practice in
regard to the Territories" Take the doctrine
for instance of squatter sovereignty how un-
stable would such q doctrine prove. Say that
the people of a Territory, by the ordinary Lee
gisatnre, have the right to abolish or establish
slavery. One Legislature establishes, the Emf
grant Aid Societies pour in legion of emf
grants in time to authorize them to vote, q
new Legislature is elected by Free-soil advo-
Gates, slavery is abolished. The Southern Aid
Societies pour in several legons of emigrants,
the abolition is abolished and slavery is again
established. Instability, irritability, desruc-
ton of property, violation of rights, anarchy
and confusion would reign, civil war would be
inevitable, and the principle would indeed
prove illusory and vain. If Congress possesses
the power, as is claimed by the North, they
might establish or abolish it, they might inter
vene to render it unstable. Mr.. BUCHANAN
continues: "This is apparent from the fact,
admitted by all, that after Territory shall
have entered the Union and become State,
no constitutional power would then exist which
could prevent it from either abolishing or
establishing slavery, as the case may be, &C
cording to its sovereign will and pleasure"
AS much as to clinch the argument we have
made by saying, ~ am not speaking of what
may be done in the Territorial State, because,
whatever they may do would be vain and ilu-
sorry. am talking of what they may do when
they come to form their institutions, then
when they become State no constitutional
power exists to prevent them from doing in
this matter what to them seems goodn
We have written this article to show our
construction of Mr.. BUcHANAN's letter, to prove
how closely he follows with his commentary
the Democratic platform, how he clings to
every plank, and adheres to his determination
in nothing to deviate from it or to change its
issues. If any man can accept that platform
and reject Mr.. BUCHANAN for not adhering to
it, he possesses mind to draw too nice dis
tinctions for US. We are willing to take them
both together, as harmonizing in every par
ticular, and as avowing principles at least on
the subject of slavery satisfactory to us, and
by which we are willing to abide.
Let us hear no more of this stupid cry of
squatter sovereignty. Let us, by electing Mr..
BUCHANAN, terminate this agitation. "Most
happy" says he, "would it be for the country
if this long agitation were at an end During
its whole progress it has produced no practical
good to any human being, whilst it has been
the source Of great and dangerous evils. 1t
has alienated and estranged one portion of the
Union from the other, and has even seriously
threatened its very existence. To my personal
knowledge, it has produced the impression
among foreign nations that our great and glo
rious Confederacy is in constant danger of dis.
solution. This does us serious injury, because
acknowledged power and stability always com
mand respect among nations, and are among
the best securities against unjust aggression
and in favor Of the maintenance Of honorable
peace"
This is the language Of statesman; let the
Democratic party see to it that he is elevated
to the position to which his long services and
just merits so eminently entitle HIM.