Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-07-30
ssssnatter soyersixntY,ss =

ssssuatfer Soyerei1nfy.sa ~
We are indebssd Is : highly teIligeht fie1dfm
the following conmanic alton, setting forth some
teresng facts ii, relation to popular sovereignty
This doctrine-or the right of selfgoyernment,
STYLED by the K. N. leaders ''squatter sovereignty
was incorporated into the territorial act of Louisiana
and it will also be observed that the clause estab-
fishing the qualification of voters in the Louisiana
act not stringent as the clauses in the Wash
ington and Kansas and Nebraska acts.
We have already shown, from the Kansas act it.
self, that the people-not the Legislature of that
Territory-have the right to establish prohibit
slavery and that they can do this only when they
come to form constitution and apply for admission
into the Union. This is the doctrine of the Demo.
cratic party North and Souhit is the doctrine set
forth and approved by Mr.. Buchanan in his admira.
BILE letter of acceptance; and it is the doctrine an
nounced by Mr. Fillmore in his Lockport speech
Mr.. Buchanan, in his letter of acceptance, says:
"The people of Territory, like those of State shall
decide whether slavery shall shall exist within their
! borders"
Mr.. Fillmore, in his recent speech at Lockport
said:
Ellis rule that the people several States should
regulate their domestic concerns in their way, but
they had right to interfere with the affairs of each other
protected regulating their concerns imdependent of
foreign influence from any quarter These my views
and have hestated to express them they
have been desired"
The people of Territory, like those of State"
says Mr. Buchanan. How "like those of State? ?"
Why the people of State have power in Conoen-
ton assembled, and not otherw ise to establish or
abolish slavery. Their Legislatures cannot do it.;
and If State Legislature cannot do it, surely no
such power can be exercised by Territorial Legis-
lature. 1t is sovereign power. The people of
New York, for example, in Convention assembled,
could establish slavery, and the people of North
Carolina in Convention assembled could abolish it;
but one will assert that their Legislatures could
exercise such power. What becomes, then, of all
the Know Nothing statements and arguments that
twenty five or three hundred foreigners in Kansas
can prohibit slavery? What says the Signal to this
view Of the matter. Tit be not conclusive let that
paper show it. But we are OBTAINING our readers
from the communication referred to-
For the Standard.
MEssRs. ED1roRs The Kansas-Nebraska act having en-
conntered the mast violent opposition,
prnvson which allows foreigners who have declared
OATH their intention become citizens of the United States
and have taken the oath support the constitution of the
United States to exercise the right of suffrage and
hold office; propose call the attention of your readers
certain proceedings Of the eighth Congress "a bill
! for erecting Louisiana into territorial government
This bill brought from the Senate the House
the 10th Feb. Its fourth section which embraced
the leading feature of the bill proposed confer upon
President the power of appointing Governor and is fit
and discreet persons a~nauy among the holders of
real said Territory whose shall tend
altering modifying repeating laws then in foce-o
all rigtful powers of legislation Inconsistent with the
| laws constitution Of the United STATES
under restraint burhen or disability ON account of his re-
ligous opinions professions OF scorshp; in all which he
Sonfan he hova
| vene and prorouge the legi slatve council &c
This section met with The most violent opposition, from
various members, one of whom moved its commitment
with the view of giving to the people of louisiana the
eectiee franchise, when Mr. Speaker Macon suggested
that it be struck out The question having been put
motion to strike out carriedyeas 50, l-a
markable unanmity, and an imposing authority for the
principle Of self government by The people of Terri
Mr.. G. W. Campbell then moved a substitute, requir
ing for representative property qualification, citizenship
ofhe United States, and residence the country; but
allowing eseJy having been citizen of the United
States, having resided the Territory
This substitute being objectionable other Of its Details
agreed to-yeas 81, nays l3. On the l4h March
(Which provided for the choice of legislative body by
people of Louisiana the 18th this passedyeas 49,
or o as @ the
that limiting the duration of the bill to year. The
except It's first viz: Striking out The 4th section which
they resolved to insist upon Conference had
which, the Esd the House receded by the meagre
ority Of 6yeas 81. nays A. So that the BILL with its
antrepublican features, passed but its history proves
with what tenacy the branch of Congress adhered
| to Il principle of " self government"
The effect of this bill excite the people of Lous
to such degree that President jefferson called the
attention of Congress the p0prety of modification of
the act OF the last Congress- which subject referred to
u committee, at the head of which Mr. j. Randolph.
Petitions also sent impugning the good faith of
Congress, which also referred. On 18th January
1905, Mr. Randolph, after ably vndicang Congress from
the mpntaton of bad faith reported among other things
the following: Their object is to give to Louisiana
government of its choice administered by officers of its
appointment " but there ought restrictions
against violations Of the liberty of conscence and resolv
ing that provision ought 10 be made by law, for extend
ing the Inhabitants vi Louisiana tie rt Of self q0yern-
"Thc record from which extract having been mutt
early period forced refer contempOraneOus his
Accordingly find in Martins history of LOUISE
ana, vol chap ~ reference tn the amended law of the
Territory, in which the author says: The effect of the
amendment "he election of the House of Representa-
tives Immediately and legislative council Immediately by
the peope " The qualifications of the electors, citi-
zenshp of the United States and residence the Terri
two residence in the Territory These quail
ications it will be seen, coincide with, and embody the
principles of the House amendment to the original BILL
well the principles of Mr. Randophs report and resou-
ton. From this is clear that citizen, residing in the
might the right OF suffrage, subject decar.
alton, oath of intention to become citizen and
this be it remembered, when our-fths- probably
larger proporon-of the population Frenchmen and
Spanads wuse laws and social habits could not fail to
draw large numbers from abroad eager enjoy at
the blessing of truly republican form of government and
the fruits Il" the most genial cline and productive SOIL
hitherto opened to the enterprise of man, Nor did the law,
in its original amended form, prohibit persons in the
service the of the United States from the
right of suffrage. In every particular it less restrictive
than either of the late territorial bills and in stage OF