Daily American organ., 1856-05-02
~ Wanted Immediately at this office two
or three active and reliable press-boys, who can
have permanent employment.
The Richmond Euquirer.--Squatter Sow
erefgufy.


The Richmond Enquirer.-Squatter Sow
ereigniy.
The Richmond Enquirer denounces the doc
trine Of "Squatter Sovereignty in unmeasured
language Of severity and adherence, and yet
that press announces that Frank Pierce is the
acknowledged leader of the present Democratic
party, and that no candidate of that party can
be elected to the Presidency except upon the
popularity of his administration. The follow
ing extract from that press, of Gath ultimo,
presents its views of "Squatter Sovereignty
II reads
Among the fair, but false and fatal theories of
the day, none attracts 30 much homage as the
''Squatter Sovereignty" courtezan. There are none
90 radiant with meretricious charms, none ready
with decetful promise, and none 80 sure TO cover
their victim with shame and reproach. The SOW
ereignty Of the people Is noble principle, and
should command universal homage. "Squatter
Sovereignty" is an imposture-a counterfeit copy
an ngly idol wrought by mems hands-and should
be kicked off the pedestal where 1t sits in mock
majesty and courts the alteration of fools aud dem
agogues"
After this declaration Of war upon the obi
GUS doctrine of Squatter Sovereignty one
would naturally inquire hoto the Enquirer
reconciles its opposition thereto, with its sup
port of Frank Pierce and his administration
Can anybody imagine hoao this is done2 Why
it is done by a bold denial that either Frank
Pierce, Senator Douglas, or the Cabinet main
tains the doctrine of "Squattcr Sovereignty"
But are Pierce, or Douglas, or the Cabinet,
opposed TO the Kansas Nebraska bill Oh no /!
is the answer, but that bill does not recognise
this doctrinei That is the position taken by
the Richmond Enquirer and to such diem
ma is it brought by its support OF the admins
tration, whilst it denounces "Squatter Sow
ereigntyl"
FIVE comprehend the meaning of "Squatter
Sovereignty" as defined by the Enquirer ITSELF
tits, that the people inhabiting Territory
hors the right to fir and decide tho character
oftheir domestic institutions--n other words,
the practical operation of this principle is that
the inhabitants eta Territory haze tho right,
to admit or exclude slSpery from such Terri
tory, as they may chooss, By Territorial legis-
iation. This, if we understand it, is what the
Enquirer means, and what the whole country
means, by the term "Squatter Sovereignty"
violently and 30 justly denounces, and it being
the doctrine which that press affirms is not
maintained by Pierce, Douglas, and Company,
we are led to look into the Kansas-N ebraska
act to ascertain what is the actual doctrine in
corporated therein. There would be no occa.
sion to look into the act ITSELF if tho declara-
tons of the parties named were to be regarded
as binding upon them, or if an obvious inter
probation of their declarations were allowable;
but as Frank Pierce especially gives too inter
pretations to that act, one ut the North and
another at the South, it becomes necessary, in
the solution of its meaning, to examine the
phraseology Of the act ITSELF
The sixth and fourteenth sections Of the
Kansas Nebraska act contain the pith and
marrow Of the legislation under which the
people Of those Territories are authorized to
regulate their own domestic institutions. The
sixth section provides:
That the legislative power Of the Territory
shall extend to all rightA subjects of legislation,
consistent with the Constitution Of the United
States and the provisions of this act-6sa no Law
shall be passed interfering with the primary dispo-
sal OF the soil no tar shall be imposed upon the
property Of the United States nor shall the lands
or other property Of non-residents be taxed high
er than the lands or other property Of residents.
Here is general grant of legislative power
over call rightful subjects Of Legislation" with
a few enumerated exceptions to its exercise,
and with no reservation Of the right in Con-
gress to supervise said legislation, as had been
usually made in bills for the organization of
Territories. Whatever power, therefore, Con-
gress itself possessed over the "rightful sub
jects of legislation" it intended by this act to
transfer to the Territorial Legislatures, except
in the cases specifically denied to said Legisla-
lures 1t may be considered as somewhat re-
markable that no reservation of the right of
supervision was made in the act--but such is
the fact
: he 14th section of the act, contains the
provision declaring the 9th section of the Mis-
souri, Compromise act imperative and void, /"
and then follows this explanatory provision, to
wit
"h being tie true istsnt and nsaaing of this
act not to egislote slavery into any Territory or
State, to ercllde IL terefro,n but TO leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate
their domestic iusfifntio,s in their o,cn way, su5
ject onfy TO the Conaitution Of the United States.
This provision contains clear and distinct
transfer by Congress, Of all its power, under
the constitution, over the domesfc institutions
Of these Territories, and it try frs such pow
er, in terms "to the people th:Ntt,," to wit, TO
the people Of tae Territories, whilst they are
Territories and makes no restriction as to the
time or manner in which the people thereof
may exercise this power to form and regu-