Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-05-17

as the Enquirer says they arc, tnoh they equal
| III protect Southern Interests, and when the
Americans Of Virginia contend that the Kan
sas. Nebraska platform does, and ours does not
contsin "squatter sovereignty (Which the
Enquirer and the Americans Of Virginia are
both opposed to- the only complaint the En-
quiror has any right to make il, not that there
is "treachery to the South, manifested in
making an argument in favor Of our platform
and against the platform on which the Enqui-
rer stands, but that it is simply an act of i'm
justice to that press.
Now, let us see If these two platforms are
identical" in their meaning In the first
place, the Enquirer's platform. flor such we
will call the explanatory clause of the Kansas
Nebraska bilD gives whateosr political power
is granted therein to the people Of the Ter
ritories. The American platform (for the sake
Of the argument we for the present admit)
gives the same po@sr to "the natiye-born and
naturalized citizens Of the United States per-
mancntly residing in any Territory thereof"
&c. The difference Is too plain to require IL
lustration
To fix the difference between the two plat
forms more permanently in the minds Of our
readers, we will however say, that the Enqui-
rer's Kansas platform gives political power in
the Territories, to the people thereof --in
other words, to paupers and felons-to unnat-
ilralized foreigners-to the Z cargoes Of crime,
folly and wretchedncss, yearly shipped off to
America, y ESQ graphically described by Captain
Marryatt Of the British NavyD to those who
have not resided a month in the country Ito
those whose shackles were perhaps but two
weeks before knocked off, upon entering Sandy
Hook or the Balize--in fine, to all classes and
descriptions Of men, without regard 10 any
qualifications, deemed requisite in the several
States, or by the naturalization laws, to const-
tute an American citizen That is the En-
quirer's platform, and there is no escape from
il, except by Jumping from ID to the American
platform. The American platform was prepar-
ed with an especial view, to get rid of this
"squatter sovereignty feature, and yet to re-
tain all that was valuable in the Kansas Ne
braska bill
We did not propose, when we commenced
this article, to discuss that branch of the sub
iect which has reference to the question hoao
far the 7th section Of the American platform
sanctions the right Of the citizens ofths Uni
ted States permanently residing in any Terri
tory thereof, to regulate their domestic and so
cial affairs in their own way, PRIOR to TIL. for
nation of their State constitution, but we may
refer our readers to the precise phraseoogy
used therein, to wit
"The recognition Of the right of the native born
and naturalized citizens of the United States per-
manently residing in any Territory thereof to frame
their own constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social affairs in their own way
subject only to the provisions Of the Federal Con-
stitution, with the privilege Of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popua-
tionfor one Representative in Congress" &c.
1t has been alleged that the above language
is not sufficiently explicit, as to the time uhen
this right may be exercised We know of
none but political maniacs who assume that,
under the Federal Constitution, the people of
the organized Territories are sors7sig,. Con- 4
gress on nearly every occasion when organ
izing Territories, has reserved the right of SUI
pervsion over Territorial legislation. The SUI
preme Court has decided that Congress has
power over the Territorial governments
The 18th section was framed with full
knowledge Of these facts. 1t was framed in
accordance with, and not in opposition to. the
righynt powers Of Congress, and the decisions
of the Supreme Court. It does not, however,
follow, that Congress has the right 10 destroy
the property Of a citizen, recognised by the
constitutions Of all the States as such, when
the Federal Constitution was adopted, and pro-
tected by one of the provisions of this last
mentioned instrument The power of Con-
gress, under the Constitution, must be con-
strued with reference to the intent of those
who framed it, 1t was not intended that Con-
gress should decide that what was property in
twelve Of the thirteen States in 1887 should be
declared not to be property in the Territories
Keeping these points in view, plain reading
Of the 7th section will decide the time achea,
the citizens Of the Territories have the right to
regulate the question of slavery. 1t is schen
they frame their oaon constitution and laus"
They can pass no laos that are binding, as
against the will Of Congress, whilst they re-
main Territories They can frame a constitu-
ton under the permission of Congress, and
enact laws, prospectively to carry that consti-
tuition into effect, and when Congress shall
have admitted the Territory as a State with
their constitution, the constitution, and ou
la,cs passed TO carry into effect are operative. No
fair construction Of the 7th section can be
given, which will sanction the idea that any
laws enacted by a Territorial Legislature and
prior to the formation Of consolidation win be
valid in fixing tho question of slavery. "Con-