The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-09-29
From the .SoUth CGrOiiui0n.
The Dred Scott Decision-Judge Doug
las and Col. Or.

telcnu JuuHe DOUsrdS, aJtemptS 10 INK
him 10 Gel Orr and other Southern men,
hoping thereby - Luoy up his po!itical
soundness. With this view, i, publishes
extracts from a speech of Col. Orr, deliv.
cred in December, 1856, before the deci
sion of the Supreme Court IN the bred
scott case Mas ever pronounced. So that
even # Col, Or's position then was iden.
titied with that of. Ju !go Douglas now,
which we deny, the charge Of repuGiating
the decision Of tie Supreme Court could
not he made against him. The main
point in issue is, whether "squatter sover
c'gnty" can prevail in tho Territory
Col. Orr in that speech, says ii am
one OF these who do not believe in the
doctrine OF squatter sovereigrtv." lie
denled that the people have any right to
.eg'%ate aud exclude slavery by positive
enactment. But he says, I'm every slave.
holding community OF this Union, We have
local legislation and local police regula-
iions appertaning to slavery, without
which the institution would net only be
vaiue!ess, but curse to the community"
lie goes on to say, "if the majority Of the
people are opposed to the institution all
they haye to do is simply TO decline to
pass laws for its protection, and then it is
as well excluded as If the power was in
vested in the Territorial Legislature, and
exercised bv them to prohibit it, With
out agreeing with him i'll the expression
OF this opinion, we quote IL, that our rea.
ders may perceive what really was his
position. lie denies shat the Territorial
Legislature possessed any positive right
20 exclude slavery, but .hought that by
negative Legislation refusing to ey.
isIate on the subject-it might be excu-
ded. As matter Of course, since the
bred Scott decision, the Federal Courts
are bound TO extend to it positive prote.-
49," lniarnnhant of ftarriior,nl a.,islat;ar
this decision furnishes police regulations,
projecting the institution and Col. Orr
could not--and we do not suppose for
moment wouid-now contend that the
institution would die out for want of pro.
lection.
Judge Douglas, on the other hand,
contends that slavery may he excluded
by positive Legislation, and this decIara
ton he has made in the teeth of the Ia
nous decision. He declares that slavery
requires protection, and then denies that
this is furnished by the decision. For,
says he, speaking since the decision was
llade, these local and police regulations
can only be furnished ey local egisa.
ton" In the Territory, under this deci
sion, mans slave is his property. and he
can enforce his claim independent Of ter
rltoria Legislation.
This Judge Douglas denies, and says
that, Notwithstanding this decision, the
people Of the Territory may exclude il bv
PoStttre enactment. His position is not
one whit b0ttei thai that Of WiImot-
and, whatever he may call himself, he
cannot be considered n State Riphts
D,mocrat- and the highest motives of
policy AMI setprotection must prompt
the South to repuliate him. Under the
Nebraska act, many democrats differed AS
!" the position OF slavery it, the Territory
some advocating squat,er sovereignty,
others opposing it. 70 settle this point,
the Drcd Scctt Decision came in and
threw the protection OF the Federal
Courts over tho institution. 1t was the
most important act in the entire series Of
Congressional acts on the subject of slave
rv. 1t supplied that which Col. Orr and
Judge Douglas both assert slavery re
q'ires. Hence, the Object Of Lincoln's
queries,
This 'mport.ut protection Judge Doug
las now denies, an say S that the people
OF the Territory have the full power and
Tho full authority over. the subject of
slavery, negative and affirmative, to intro.
luce or exclude" And. of course, this
sets aside the protection of the Federal
Courts. We aympathse with the axigem.
c'es of the States, when it resorts to such
eypedients to prop up Judge Douglas. 1t
ctmEot think tie South so obtuse us 20 be
deceived by It {; and therefore makes the
effort in desperation. 1t can mislead none
but those who are really willing TO be mis-.
10 l.. 1t will fail to do Judge Douglas any
good-it will fail to do Col. Orr any injury.
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