Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-03-27
TIE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TIE
TERRITORIES

His Excellency II. A. WISE, Governor Of Virginia.
TIE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TIE
TERRITORIES.
The Legitimate relationship and attitude of the
federal government, towards tho territories of the
United States, are too papabIe for the misapprehen
sion OF any understanding not subservient to the evil
influences Of disloyal heart And vet there are
difficulties constantly occurring, not ess from dis
poslton on the part OF people in the States to insist
upon such an interference of the federal
with the internal affairs Of the territories as would
anticipate and determine their constitutional chursc.
ters upon their advent into The Union, than from
usurpaton OF authority and resistance to tho jurs-
diction of the general government, as exercised with
in its peculiar provhce, by the people Of the terrific
res themselves IL 4ther instance. it devolvcs upon
the administration, a duty to itsel TO the Ststes
and to the territories, To that each citizen and
settler has his rights and that the laws are enforced
ilrmiy and npartaly, free from prejudice passion,
fear, favor or affection. The settlement of the Kansas
troubles has been assigned to several men Of repued
administrative abilities. But far they have all
failed TO fulfill their mission. That il is trying task
requiring calmness and courage and stoica indir.
troll the incongruous elements of society," already
arrayed in antagonisn by education aud almost by
instinct, We have only to revert to enacted scenes ia
be convinced. There are many men emnently emdow-
ed with any of the requisites for SUCCESS in such
all undertaking, but there arc few, very few, who
have the fortitude and iirmness, the rigor without
rashness the judgment without bias, TO render them
competent TO tho task. Some such person. however,
must be sought, and selected by the administration
for the GovernOrship Of Kansas who we trust will be
succeeded in turn by the Governor of sovereign
State admitted into the Union, with domestic poll.
cy fairly determined by the voice of its voters whe
ther in favor of slavery against it, II the people
OF the territory express preference for the nstitu-
tons of the South in the formation OF their cOnstitu
ton, justly and properly, we will welcome the new
State as an ally il otherwise, shall not repsl her
as an enemy.
But the attention of the nation seems about To be
attracted by troubles OF another character, and in
another quarter Of the country. The territory ol
UTAH, 80 often squinted at, is being bought more i'm
mediately under the optical contemplation OF the
country. The question of womans rights is assum.
ing new phase. II ia stated that Brigham Young is
in open rebellion against the authority OF the United
States; that he and his adherens have burned the
! government archives court records, &c, in Utah
and that his la Turkish Excellency is determined tC
be re-appointed, 10 resist his with bayo
net and ball. The question then arises, "a to wha
policy the administration will pursue towards these
unchristian outlaws. They are in occupancy Of the
territory; aud, with their social institutions, revolving
alike to civilization and law, it would be an impuia
tion upon the purity Of our people aud our govern
ment, Ia commune with them az equals or to recog
nlze them as entitled to the guardianship of our in
sttutons unless they can be made to relinqush lhe
barbarOus code Of laws and conform 10 the usages
civilized society. Since they have thrown dowr
the gauntlet of defiance, and opened warfare upor
the Federal Government, it is to be hoped that they
will he visited with something severcr than censure
aud il Brigham Young persists in his determination o
armed resistance 10 all action not in conformity will
his personal purposes, the sooner he is hing
traitor, the better it will be for his fanacal followers
and fur the reputation and peace of our country.
The Federal Government should never be allowed
to transcend its authority. But when necessary nl
tho interests and honor Of the people of the States
whom it serves. il should energeically exercise the
powers with which it s entrusted.
II the accounts of the condition of affairs in Utah
be true the administration will doubtless turn its at
tention to Brigham and his wives az speedily al
practicable. Old Buck. who has never had wife
can certainly have no fellow feeling for tho rebeou.
rsscals in Utah.