The Yazoo Democrat., 1858-11-06
DoINGs IN THE LEGISLATURES.


In the proceedings of the Legislature published
in another column will be found the Resolutions oi
Hon, l. N. Davis, Senator from Panola, on national
politics. They are, in the main, commendable
enough, considering the politics Of the author. The
first resolve maintains that Kansas ought to have
been admitted under the Lecompton Constitution
and Senate bill. This, we think, viii be generally
admitted The second conteRds that no new State
should be hereafter admitted, unless she has the
requisite population to entitle her 10 Representa-
tive in Congress. This is sound doctrine, but with
all re spect for the intelligent author, we think i
stops short of the position which the sgns of the
times Indicate as the true one. Douglas declares
that if Kansas had enough population to enttle her
to admission under the Lecompton Constitution, she
had enough to come in under any other. This is
known to be the policy If the Douglas Democrats
and the Black Republicans, and it is very probable
that these two elements will control the next Con-
gess and if SO, Kansas will be proposed for admss
sion contrary 10 the rule laid down. both in the En-
gieh Conference bill and lhe above resolution.
Ought not Mississippi then, to anticipate this move
that emergenc We say she ought, and We hope
she will. The third holds that no person ought to
ba admitted to vote in the territories except native
and naturaized citizens of the United States. This
is undoubtedly the true principle and ought, we
think, to be adopted. To the fourth resolution we
have objection. "That the Territories Of the United
States are the common property Of all the States"
is unquestonable and that " each citizen thereof
has the right to take into the same such property a
he may desire, and be protected in all his rights and
immunnies therein" is good enough as far as it
goes, but who has the power to declare the extent
of the shareholders +" tight and immunity" 10 his
slave in territory Cong ess neither egislates
that species Of property into or out of territory
but leaves the subject to the people thereof to settle
their own way" consistent with the fedora
Constitution. Now some of our most distinguished
Constitutional expounders maintain that slavery can
be "kept out" of t'rritory by the /" unfrendl
legislation" and inhospable statutes Of the terrific
rial legislature that these rights and immunities
may be curtailed to this extent. What boots it for
us to declare that Congress cannot interfere in his
matter, when the territorial legislature is openly
avOwel to possess the power of Intervention to an
extent amply sufficient to wsrk the abolition cf sIa
very wilhn the limits of its jurisdiction7 Wha
advantageh it US to declare " that the doctrine O
a few rowing squalters, either by their own author
ity or the authority of Congress, can pass laws
prohibiting the introduction of slaves or any other
species of property into said territories is alike un
constitutional and dangerous" if We permit tie
wrongful assumption Of power by " few rowing
squatters' to so oppress slave prOperty, after its
by " unfrendy Legislation and police
regulations as 10 crush it outl
We think, therefore, that the resolution does not
go far enough in its efuitiOn Of the rights of the
savenoding States.
The fifth resolution calls lora repeal of the slave
trade laws. This will probably not pass, although
public opinion in the South is undergoing change
as to the expediency, justness and cOnstitutionay
of these laws.