Nebraska advertiser., 1858-02-18

NebrasEs' for printing common sized envelopes, with any
desired business eardEttached. Orders solicited.
nl FUSNAS &
T+Nemaha valley and western Exchange money
taken az par for indebtedness to this Office. Brownville
Hotel scrip at ten per cent premium. n
NebraSka-KanSaS-Judge Douglas
Tile AdminiStratiOn-The LIE.
compton Constitution.
1t may be thought and said that we in
Nebraska, have quite enough to do, look
ing after our own matters, without med
ding with Kansas affairs. Were we not
directly interested in the settlement of a
principle now involved, in the present
shape of Kansas difficulties, we too might
come to that conclusion, and remain silent.
But silence, which we know is said "to be
as harmless as a roses breath" may be
as p%eriIlous as the p~estilence," and to
none may be it be more as than to we of
Nebraska. Being made of the same clay,
and the breath of life being breathed into
our nostrils at the-same time and place,
and by the same power; our pathway
through life the same; our destiny inthe
end, one and the same; it is not strange
that we refuse to become idle spectators
of the scenes passing before us; but look
with longing, deep and abiding interest.
upon the settlement of the Kansas ques-
ZION, as it now stands. True, we have
not, nor do I'VE expect the great issue with
us, that has been, and to a great degree
yet exists in Kansas-the Slavery agita-
ton. But are there not other points In
the great and fundamental principle of
the Act of Congress organizing the Ter
ritories of Nebraska and Kansas
which has always been the cherished doc
.trine. of every American citizen, known
more particularly in these latter days as
POPULAR sovEREIGNTY-in which we are
interested? Does not that passage in
the Organic Act which says, ''to leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate their domestic institutions in
their own way" mean more than the
question of Slavery? If not, what and
where are the domestic institut ions" Of
States and Territories where Slavery does
not exist, or where it is not desirable thai
it should. We take it, that the term
a eYerythingjust expedient and legi-
innate. We maintain that 'the highest
refinement and greatest utility of Demo-
cratic pOlicy-the genius of our institi.
tions-is the right Of self government
And that this self government means the
will of the majority expressed. We main
tain that the doctrine has ever been re.
cognized in every part Of the ~confederacy
by the Democratic party, from the concep.
ton and forming of the Declaration Of
independence to the present day; has
been fixed in its national platforms; her.
aided to the world by its speakers and its
presses; reiterated by candidates; and
especially in the last Presidential can.
vass did this feature distinguish the De.
mocracy from its opponents, who main.
tanned the doctrine of Congressiona
Intervention, and that "the people are in.
capable of self-government"-a doctrine
as strongly tinctured with monarchica
forms of government as is tolerated under
the shadow of the stars and stripes
This popular doctrine in the hearts of the
people, led on to victory. To be found
recrean now, when the practical test i
upon US as a party, would be a gros.
breach of faith, and a disgraceful deser.
ton of duty from which there is no escape
from a just public condemnation.
It is not strange then that the patrio
STEPHEN A. DoUeLAs was caused TO say
when a Constitution IS presented to Con
gress, which the people of Kansas have
moi ''freely regulated in their own way
@Sir Ihave spent too much strength, and health too
20 establish this great principle in the popular heart
now to sec it frittered away by bringing it down to Al
exception that applies to the negro, and does not extern,
70 the benefit Of the white man" m
Let US hear this eminent and patriotic
statesman further upon this subject. We
quote his own words:
Nov, sir, what was the principle enuncisted BY tn,
authors and supporters Of that bill when 1t was broughl
forwardP Did we not come before the country and say
that we repealed the Missouri restriction for the purpose
o. submitting and carrying il out as a general rule the
great principle Of self government, which left the people
Of each State and each Territory free 70 form and regulate