Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-12-19

~ We burthen our columns, at this
time. with the following speech. because
it contains a vast amount Of valuable in
formation, which should be in the hands
OF every person in the country.
RIGHTS UNDER THE LOUISIANA
PURCHASE. .....
Speech Of Hon. q. Kidt0eEs, Of Virginia, deliu-
cred in the House Of Representations, august
llth, sc, on our Territorial Rights under the
| Louisiana Purchase Of 1913.
The House being in the Committee Of
the Whole on the state Of the Union, on
the Presidents annual message
Mr.. Kidwell said
MIR. Chairman l propose to reply
to some OF the many attacks made
in THE Hall upon the oficitl conduct OF
the Representatives of the southern
States in Congressman their conduct
during this year, or last, but during a
long series Of years, reaching back, in
deed, 10 the formation of the Govern
ment.
1t is charged in many forms, and in al
most every political discussion. by nor.
thern political Puros. that the people Of
the southern States have property which
the people of the northern States prefer
they should not own that the southern
s aIes are SO unreasonable as 10 refuse to
sooIhe, appease. and satisfy this tender
sentiment" by surreuderiug. without
compensation. a property larger than all
The coin in Europe and America would
pay tor aud further. that the people Of
the southern States. instead Of chariIabiy
donating away property Of such extra
ordinary magnitude, in order to cure the
extraordinary sentiments Of their neigh
boss, have sought. during many years.
and ia many ways. to "enlarge the area"
upon which they may peacefully and le-
4alIy enjoy their property.
What shall be recognized. and protec-
ted as Iproperty," each nation in Europe
determines for itself. In the United
States. what shall be recognized and pro,
Iected as property" is not determined by
The nation. but by each State, and by each
Territory, for itself. No man legally
possesses and owns property" whether
1t is real, personal. or Mixed" but BY
virtue Of the laws OF the State or Terrific.
rY in which he resides. or in which the
property is held.
Many Of the ablest jurists hold that
property is possessed by men, indepen-
dent of the sanction even in the laws OF
States, Territories. or colonies. Wheth-
er that is SO or not. it is absolutely Ger
tain that the property Of citizens WAS { OF
placed at the mercy Of Congress. but for
Two purposes, viz for taxes. and for
sLch small quantities as might be actually
necessary for public use." first rendering
|" Just compensation" therefor.
Virginia cannot determine what shall
be " property" in Massachusetts nor
can Congress itself Massachusetts alone
through her legally constituted authori'
ties. can determine what shall, and what
shall not, be held as " property" within
her limits. So with every other State.
No State with or without the aid Of
Congress) can dictate to another STATE
what she shall recognize. define. regulate.
make inheriIable, and protect as proper
ty. '
If the enemies Of the Southern States,
filled with envy at southern prosperity.
intend TO charge that the southern States
seek to enlarge the area upon which they
may peacefully aud legally enjoy their
property, by efforts to change. or to sub
vert the laws a any sister State. the
charge is denied. and the production ot
proof demanded. When. and where,
and how have southern States. or their
representatives, sought to have the laws
Of any free State so changed as to allow
of the introd uction into such State OF
southern property What Legislature,
what large public assemblsge. wha. lea
ding aud wise men, Of southern State.
have ever passed resolutions, or uttered
public addresses. requesting any free
State, in the East. or the West TO so
change its laws as to allow the property
Of the South 20 be carried u. and enjoy
ed in, such free State? On the other
hand, what free State has not, ut some
time, passed resolutions. in some waysoE
another. interfering with. and injurious.
ly affecting. the property Of the people OF
the southern States {? % ssfa ;e
No southern State has ever attempted
to. interfere with. or 10 change, the insti-
tdtions of the free States, But. on the
other hand, no free State can be named
that has not, at some time. or IN some
way. attempted to interfere with. OF 70