Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-01-07

pose of giving protection, the institution would
be of no value. can appeal to every gentle.
man upon this haor who represents slavehold-.
ing constituency. to attest the truth of what /
have stated upon that point.
"Ndw, the Legislative authority Of n Terrific
ry is invested with a discretion to vote for or
against laws We think they ought to pass
laws in every Territory, where the Territory Is
open TO settlement, and shareholders go'there,
10 protect slave property. But it they decline
to pass such laws, what's the remedy! None,
sir. Ii the majority Of the people are opposed
to Tie institution, and If they do not desire il,
inrralled upon their Turritory! all they have to
do is simply 10 decline 10 pass laws in the Ter
ritoria Legislature for its protection, and then
il is IA well excluded rs if,the power wasinvest-
ed in The Territorial Legislature, and exercised
by them, prohibit it,; Now, ask the gentle
lnan, wha: is the practical Importance TO result
from the agitation and discussion Of this question
rs to whether squatter sovereignty does, or does
not exist? Pracirally:it is matter of little
moment"
The language. of my friend amounts to thisi
that public option is paramountto law. That
tfers are occasions when public opinion does
and should restrain the penalties Of the law, Is
readily admitted, as il also is that laws passed
by the Representatives of the people are usual
ly the reflex of public opinion. u have already
remarked That no specified number of people
are requisite for a territorial government; and |
utterly repudiale the idea that The first few hun
drcd slragglcrs who may enter upon territory
should set up TO be the manufactures OF public.
opinion, o.of law, which may conflict with the
rights ofsa citizen underline Constitution; and
so do understand my friend. His position is,
that, if a Territorial Legislature 5fails to pass,
laws protecting and regulating property in slaves
there is no power TO compel it 10 do so, and
that, in The absence of such police regulations,
our slaves would not only be svalueless, but
curse to The community. and it is in this that |
think my colleague errs.
AS citizen OF sovereign State, have the
right to pass with my property into any State
or Territory whore the national flag is recog-
nizcd If lake my slave into u State where
public prejudice is against the institution, ! may
be robbed of my property, and, although my.
right ofproperty is intact, am'poweress if The
local llw.is ayerse3to my OBTAINING him. But
here ami sovercishn State, and, though
|.le State may be, inopen defiance of = conslltu-
bnal enactment of Congress. have not the
bower to enforce it, nor dol know where the
| power is to be found.
Asa citizen of South Carolina, go into q
Territory however, with goods, wares, and
merchandise, and, anterior to the passage by the
Territorial Legislature of a law regulating the
distribution of estates, die intestate. . What
becomes of my property? If isscertainly sub
t.iect 10 the statutesdfS the States Of which am
a resident, So, if take my property in slaves
into n Territory, which do under The Federal
Constitution and the Territorial Legislature
have failed to pass any law to regulate, dispose
of, or protect such property, then the localslaw
Of the, State of which ami aciti5en will apply
TO such. property, provided it does not confiicl
withihe Constitution and the laws Of Congress
made under it.
i presdme that my colleague and myself viii
coincdein the opinion that the Territorial Leg
islature has no authority 10 pass. laws prohibit
i ing the introduction Of slaves, or the. mannmis
j sion of them it inthe Territory, and any law
to that effect would beyoid. Thepoint Of diff
ference, between s is, as to the effect of n fsil
ure to make police regulations .He gives yirlu,
!. to public. opnonat too early aperiod. and hi
position would as effeetually the slay,
owner with his property as that of those gentle
men, WHO admit The right of d Territorial5 Leg
\ islature to excude He makes tiie general 0pin
], ion of .n.few stragglers moro efficacnus than
territorial law. IN the nanesof public opinion
I he prohibits.,tbe free exercise Of opinion; il
truth, his position is the squatter sovereignty
!, opinion. -. -.
} When Kansas comes to ussin the majesty 3
/, sovereign Twill regard. her opinion-not.b .be
: FORE Butithas been suggested that the; ;sq1al