Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-06-23
Popular Sovereignty and Utah.


principle of squatter sovereignty, the short
sighted leaders of the Democratic party
had only in prospect the formation of one
or two slave states on the Missouri bor-
der. Blinded and bewildered by gazing
upon the glorious victory IN anticipation.
they saw nothing beyond the spoils they
hoped to catch; and the first practical APP
plication they pretended to make of this
political panacea, which was to be a g Jew
Davies Plaster" to heal all the diseases
of the governmental system, resulted, as
was foretod be every intelligent observ-
er, in a general disorganizatlon of the
whole system. Kansas was the fair field
where the e; pertinent was TO be laid; and
the total failure of the prescription is toe
evident to require any discussion. The
| hypocrisy of the advocates of this mis-
named popular sovereignty principle has
! been exposed the shallow pretenses of
| protecting the rights of the people, has
! given place to a tyranny of muskets and
bayonets; and in open defiance Of almost
unanimous popular opposition, the recent
/ " appointed Governor Walker has an
nounced that the bogus law must be en-
! forced. The great so called democratic
party DANGEROUSLY shrieking the war-cry
Of squatter sovereignty, stand with drawn
/ sword, threatening determination TO all
who refuse to bend the knee to the Baal
/ they have set up. They are virtually
saying to American freemen: Make
/ your own laws establish your own gov
eminent; but unless you submit to the
laws and government we have established
for you, you will be proclaimed and treat
ed as rebels and outlaws" The Duke of
Alva is said to have "shed tears as big
rs peas" over the misfortunes of those
he had most cruelty and uniustly condem-
] ed to death for avowed political offences.
Such would appear to be the sincerity of
those who now have the hardihood to talk
of popular rights, and at the same time
are laboring to establish government of
u minority in Kansas.
Avowed principles and practice, 80 an
tagonistic are easily reconciled to the con-
sciences of party leaders, especially when
the union 10 to be saved by extending the
area of human bondage. But the ques-
ton assumes very different aspect when
applied to the far off Kingdom of Brig
ham Young, territory governed consis-
tently according to the great democratic
principle of popular sovereignty. The
party seems to have acted in good faith
with the inhabitants Of the Desert, who
have murdered United States officers.
| driven inoffensive citizens into the wilder
ness, conficicated their property, ravished
I their wives and daughters, imposed upon
and lnsulted the Judiciary, broken up their
courts, compelling the Judges 20 resign;
and yet popular sovereignty" has shiel-
ded them from any interference on the
part of the United States. They have
established the most horrible and loath-
some system of social policy known to
any barbarous nation, rivalling the Turks
IN their disgraceful treatment of women,
whom they have reduced to be the mere
creatures Of their lust,-the number OF
whose wives or slaves is only limited bv
their means or wishes. The harem of
Brigham YotHag contains forty-three min
listers to his pleasure, having lately been
purged OF number of refractory inmates.
The secret order OF Danites are the swift
messengers Of his vengeance, executing
bis commands with blood thirsty fidelity.
And yet all this must Re allowed in ac-
cordance with popular sovereignty, which
prohibits the United States government
from interfering with the affairs of new
territory, except to establish slavery there
IN, and what can a Democratic admins
tranon do! Troops were sent to Kansas
to enforce submission to outrageous en-
actments; but the peculiar institution :"
had peculiar claims. 1t was right then
to interfere for the purpose of fastening
an institution upon people to which they
were opposed in principle and as a matter
OF public policy; but is inconsistent with
the platform on which Mr. Buchanan was
elected, TO protect citizens in Utah, or to
say that men shall not have as many wives
or concubines as their unbridled passions
shall dictate. And this may in some
measure explain the inexcusable course
OF an administration which can bully the
whole world, ut cannot afford protection
to It's own citizens treading The soil of
their own country.
Inc President and his advisers are in
dilemma; they have talked of popular
sovereignty SO much, and practiced on
the principle SO little, that they have al