The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-19
A DEFINITION AT LAsT-IS MIR. DOUGLAS
sUsTATNED' WHAT OF POPULAR sovER.
EIGNTYf

SUSTAINED WHAT OF POPULAR sovER-
EIGHTY,
In our comments, last week, on the resolu-
tions of the Cincinnati Convention, we erred in
saying that the principles of the Nebraska bill
were endorsed, but not defined. On re-exam-
lining the platform, We find positive defni-
ton, pregnant also with a negative.
1t will be recollected that, ever since the
passage of that bill, the Northern and South
ern wings of the Democracy have taken oppo-
site views of its "principles the former con.
tending that they might all be summed up in
the proposition, That the People of Territory
have the right to determine their own domestic
institutions, and therefore to exclude or allow
Slavery the latter, insisting that they might
all be embraced in the proposition, That neither
Congress, nor the People of a Territory, has
any right to interfere, for the exclusion of Sla-
very therefrom, or its prohibition therein. In
other words, Northern Democrats asserted the
doctrine of Non-Interference by Congress, but
the right of Interference by the People of the
Territory-while the Southern asserted non-in.
reference both by Congress and the People.
The Richmond (Virginia) Enquirer, discuss
ing the question: some time before the meeting
of the Convention, said that this difference of
opinion was radical, and must be settled-and
that the Convention must define the "princi-
pies" of the Nebraska Bill, according to the
Southern doctrine. Remember, this was the
distinct question submitted for consideration to
the Committee on Platform. Now, let us see
how it has been decided.
81. The American Democracy recognise
and adopt the principles contained in the or
ganic laws establishing the Territories of Kan
sas and Nebraska as embodying the only sound
and safe solution of the Slavery question:
upon which the great national idea Of ne,
I nfWTr IN reayufafR "~'>~'orcH Poo
pie of this whole country can repose in its de-
termined conservatism Of the Union-NoN.IN.
rERFERENcE BY CONGRESS WITH SLAVERY IN
STATE AND TERRITORY, OR IN THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.
80. That this was the basis of the Compro-
misses of l850-confrmed by both the Demo
cratic and Wing parties in National Conven-
tions-ratifed by the people in the election of
l852-and rightly applied to the organization
of Territories in 1854
"3. That by the uniform application of this
Democratic principle to the organization of
Territories and to the admission of new States,
with or without domestic Slavery, as they may
elect-the equal rights of all the States will bed
preserved intact-the original compacts of the
Constitution maintained inviolate-and the per-
petuity and expansion of this Union insured to
its utmost capacity of embracing, in peace and
harmony, every future American State that NAV
be constituted or annexed, with q republican
form of Government
"Resolred, That we recognise the right of
the people of all the Territor es, including Kan.
sas and Nebraska, acting though the legally
and fairly expressed will of a majority of actual
residents, and whenever the number of their in.
habitants justifes it, to form a Constitution,
with or without Slavery, and be admitted into
the Union upon terms of perfect equality with
the other States"
Examine carefully. The first resolution re-
solves the "principles" of the bill, into sim
single principle, and this is,
NoN INTERFERENCE BY CONGRESS- WITH
SLAVERY IN STATE AND TERRITORY, OR IN THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA"
No other Principle is admitted to exist in
the bill. The talk about its +" Principles must
now cease. 1t has but one Principle, and that
is so clearly defined that it is impossible to
bubble about it-Congress has no right to in.
terfere with Slavery in State and Territory, or
in the District of Columbia. What has become
of the Principle of popular Sovereignty"
"Squatter Sovereignty" the right of the Peo-
pie of a Territory to determine their own do
nestle institutional" 1t is ignored-the de-
mand of the South, announced in advance by
the Richmond Enquirer, is complied with
Squatter Sovereignty is repudiated.
The second resolution is simply explanato-
reference was the basis of the Compromise of
l85O-conGrmed by both the Democratic and
Wing Parties in lS52-ratified by the People
in the election of l852-rightly applied to the
organization of Territories in 1854.
The third resolve expatiates on the benefits
pie.
The fourth is a faint attempt to propitiate
the Popular Sovereignty" tribe, but, as the
intelligent reader will perceive, it contains a
negative which cuts them up root and branch.
1t recognises the right of the People of Ter
ritory, aohen they come to form State, under
authority from Congress, to exclude or allow
Slavery; but not their right 10 exclude 1t during
their Territorial condition!
Mark-the question at issue, first, was, are
the Principles of the Nebraska Bill, "Non-In-
reference by Congress and "Squatter Sover
egnty?" The Convention answers, "Non-In-
reference by Congress this is the Principle
of the bill, not Squatter Sovereignty. The
Question next asked was, Have the People q
right to exclude Slavery during their Terrific
rial condition. The Convention answers, the
People have right, when they come to form a
State illegally" that is in pursuance of an act
of Congress, to exclude Slavery. The inevita-
bic implication is, they have no right to ex-
clude Slavery at any other time. Both ques-
tons arc decided against the Northern Democ-
racy-it submits to the demand of the Southern
Democracy-and the creed Of the whole Party
now is, Non-Iaterference by Congress, or the
People of Territory, NTH .Stacery therein.
This is the one Principle of the Nebraska Bill
| as defined by the Convention, and this under.
lies the Compromise of 1850, was confirmed by
Mig and Democratic Conventions in 1852,
was ratified by the People in the election of
1882, and was rightly applied to the organiza-
| ton of Territories in 1884,
Mr.. Buchanan accepts this Principle, most
heartily" although in 1850 he labored with all
his might to induce Congress to interfere ~ih
Slavery, so as to exclude it from all territory
| above the line of go 3O/, from the State of
Missouri to the Pacific Coast, and to allow it
below that line And Mr.. Douglas, too, exults