The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-06-27
Senator Douglas speech.

Our hrst page IS occupied with the speech
recently delivered by Judge Douglas at
Springfield, which will be found to amply
repay a careful perusal. Starting with the
garbled reports Of the Springfield fusion
papers, this speech has been already made
the subject Of the grossest Misrepresentation
by the fusion papers, Labor of love" in
which the Ottawa Republican follows suit
with great JUNCTION. Judge D., by their
garbled reports, is represented as saying that
she had reversed his old opinion of squatter
sovereignty-he had now swung around and
taken an impartial ,iew-that when a peo-
pie were incapable of self-government it was
the duty of other governments TO lay hold
of that foolish people and govern them, will
ing or unwilling" The speech on our first
page, reported word for word as delivered,
ia the best contradiction we can offer to this
dishonest statement.
Are all Republican editors hopclessly dis
honest-entircly given over to delusion to
believe a lie-that they never will or neve:
can state fairly the position of the demo-
cratic party on the territorial question? Is
the editor Of the Republican SO great a
Ounce as really not to know, or is he so ire
claimably dishonest that understanding, lac
vet never can tell his readers, what kind Of
"squatter sovereignty" the democratic party
advocates Where did Judge d. or the de-
mocratic party ever deny all power of Con-
gress to leGislate in reference to the terrific
ries, These republican editors seem totally
unable to see medium between unlimited
power in Congress and no power at all
The democratic party, looking to the Cons:i-
ton, find that Congress has power to admit
new States; and the organization of a Ter
ritory is the first act in the admission Of a
State 1t is not difficult to see tina. unlimited
power Of legislation in Congress is not ne
cessary TO enable Territory to grow into a
State, and therefore such unlimited power is
not justified by this clause Of the ConStitu-
ton. 1t is moreover provided that Congress
"shall have power TO dispose Of and make
all needful rules and regulations for the Ter
ritories and other property belonging to the
/ United States" This certainly gives Con-
gress the power to survey the lands, TO
secure the titles, ind to protect the person
and property Of the purchaser, in the enjoy
! ment of hi purchase. Congress has contro!
! of the army al.'. Indian affairs, and can en-
/ ploy the former TO cnfOrce any constitutional
provision, and TIC latter according to lis
| best discretion.
! In Utah Judge Douglas learns JY news
paper reports l.at the people are 9-10;hs
aliens TO the L. S. in fact and in feeling, and
are in rebellion to the authority of the [.
States; and if they are aliens and rebels,
Judge d. holds there is no purpose Of max
ing them state, and a territorial organize
ton cannot be justified on that ground
which is the only one upon which a terrific
rial organization can be justified. The re
peal of the organic act there would be RICH
and proper as soon as the design Of maxim:
it a state in its present condition is abandon
ed. There is then no warrant for such al
organization in the federal constitution, ant
it ought to be expunged from the list Of ter
ritor;es. What change may be wrought b,
December next, and how far the reports c
lawlessness may he confirmed, Judge L
don't know; but presumes the state Of a
fairs there is not exas gerated, and there
not very fattering prospect that it will b
improved.
Such arc briefly and simply the views G
Judge d., and how this initiates against tn
democratic doctrine always heretofore held
that after territory is organized by Con
gross the people will be allowed to arrang
their local affairs for themselves "sul.ject {
the Constitution Of the L. :. and the law
OF Congress passed in pursuance thereof,
is a question We should like to see the astut
editor Of the Republican eluc;datc.