Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-09-23
Judge Douglas squatter Sovereignty.

Nebraska bill, people have entertained DIFF
ierent opinions as 10 STRIFE intent and
meaning Of said bill. The National De-
mocraey swore by it, and talked fiippantly
Of squatter sovereignty. Douglas, the au-
thor OF the 'great measure" was extolled
IN the highest terms. He explained the
Kansas. Nebraska bill over and over, to the
entire satisfaction of his political friends
He recently explained it, at the instance OF
Mr.. Lincoln, his opponent in the canvass
now pending in Illinois, as follows:-
"The next question propounded to me by
Mr.. Lincoln is, can the people OF Terrific
ry in any lawful way, against the wishes
OF any citizen ofthe United States, exclude
slavery from their limits prior 10 the forma-
ticn OF State Constitution? answer en-
phatically, as Mr.. Lincoln has heard me
answer a hundred times from every stump
in Illinois, that In my opinion the people Of
a Territory can, by lawful means, exclude
slavery from their limits prior TO the for
nation OF a State Constitution. Enthusi-
astic applause.) Mr.. Lincoln knew that
had answered that question over and over
again. He heard me argue the Nebraska
bill on that principle all over the State in
1854, in 1855, and in 1856, and he has no
excuse for pretending 10 be in doubt as TO
nv position on that question. 1t matters
not in what way the Supreme Court may
hereafter decide as TO the abstract question.
whether slavery may or may not go into a
Territory under the Constitution, the people
have the lawful means 10 introduce it or ex-
ciude it, as they please, for the reason that
slavery cannot exist day or an hour any
where, unless it is supported by local po-
lice regulations. Fright, right.) Those
police regulations can only be established
by the local Legislature; and if the people
are opposed 10 slavery, they will elect
representatives 10 that who will, by un-
friendly legislation, eilectually prevent the
introduction of 1t into their midst. If, on
the contrary, they are for it, their legis'a-
ton will favor It's extension. Hence, no
matter what the decision of the Supreme
Court may be on the abstract question, still
the right of the people 10 make slave Ter
rltory or a free Territory is perfect and
conf ete under the Nebraska bill. | hope
Mr.. Lincoln deems my answer satisfactory
on that point"
Mr.. Neagle, an aspirant, we believe, for
Congress sional honors in Illinois, recently
made speech at Springfield, in which he
answered Mr.. Douglas, as iollows:--
"There is another thing Judge Douglas
announced very lately, in his Freepori
speech. He there sock the ground and it
surprised every body-that the Legislature
Of Territory could, by unfriendly lcgisla-
ton, infringe the right of the people 10
property in slaves. But still he says he
supports the bred Scott decision-that de-
cision says in express language that the
Constitution of the United States guaran-
tees and projects The right of property in
slaves in the Territory. That is the high
est law IN this land, and no Legislature can
pass any law infringing that right Of proper
ty. Suppose own negro in the Terrific
ry of Kansas, or any other Territory, and
the Legislature pass an act placing upon
that negro an exorbitant fax, or destroy or
infringe upon my right of property, what
have TO do but TO appeal 10 the Federal
Courts 10 protect my rights? Are they
bound by the Territorial law, or by the Con-
stitution? Which is the higher law? You
will answer, with me, they are bound by
the Constitution. If the Territorial law is
unconstitutional, clearly they are not bound
by it. If the Constitution of the United
States protects and guarantees this right OF
property, as enunciated in the bred Scott
decision, / want TO know how any Legs
lature can pass law infringing upon the
free enjoyment Of that property. They
can no more do it than they can infringe
upon my right TO the free enjoyment of my
horse. And can tell Mr.. Douglas that
popular sovereignty does moi mean that 4
Territorial Legislature has the unrestricted
right 10 make laws that are inconsistent
with the spiri, of the Federal Constitution.
The reason why Douglas took this position
was, that as he had been appealing to the
Republicans for their support, on the ground
of his hostility TO the Administration, they
therefore. in order 10 test his sincerity, put
TO him these questions. He fearing that he
would lose their support if he did not make
further concessions, responded 10 them as
he did. | ask YOU il the Charleston Con-
vention will sustain that doctrine? You
cannot find in another State of the Union
such case as Judge Douglas has presented
here"
Judge Douglas, however, has put a new
plank in his platform, TO supply the def
iency in the Kansas Nebraska bill, and at
the same time aid the bred Scott decision,
to-wit: A Congressional Code of Laws for
the Territories, which among other things,
shall look 10 the protection of Singer" as
well as a "hoss." Gov. Wise, Gov. Walk
er, the Richmond Enquirer, and other
southern democratic interests back Douglas
in his new plank, and are striving TO upset
Buchanan and his party. They will make
the administration, and the Charleston Con-
vention, come 10 their platform, and per-
haps, more, or continue the war, to exter-