The weekly Butte record., 1858-11-06
Governing for the Benefit of Those VINO
Govern.

Govern.
That The territories of the United States
are common property, in which all have
common interest, none, we believe pfetehu y
denv. That all have right TO emlgrate ihilh-
er none who respect the decision oil the chlet
;ndicia tribunal of the country pretend to de
nv But men and political parties differ con
cerDing the government Of the territories
partv favorable to certain institutions
would have national Congress plant those in
stitutions in the territories, and provide local
police regulations for their support. Another
party opposed to certain institutions, would
have Congress exclude them from the terrific
r;es forever Unfortunately for the prosperity
and peace of the nation, the institution upon
which these parties differ is sectional in lis
character, and It's agitation has sometimes
shaken the confidence Of our wisest statesmen
in the stability of the Federal Union. The
National Democratic party, generally the gov
erning party of the country, have coatended
for non-intervention by Congress in the local
affairs and domestic institutions Of territories,
and for the inaIienable right cf the people Of
the territories to determine the character Of
those institutions for themselves ; and hence
the repeal of the Missouri COMPROMISE and the
substitution Of the Kansas Nebraska bill. 1t
was not aske whether this last measure would
facilitate or prevent the adoption of Institutions
favorable to either section Of the Union. The
principle for determining the character of such
institutions was in harmony with our system
of government, aud there Congress rested the
matter
If we abandon the principle thus established
and determine that, because the territories are
the common property of the States, the Con
gress of those States, shall perform the local
legislation for the territories, the 'true intent
and meaning Of our republican form of govern
ment is abandoned, and we begin to legislate
for the benefit of those who govern, and not
for the benefit Of the governed.
The original and despotc governments of
the old world may have been instituted for the
benefit Of those who governed; but the first
step toward reversal of such a system of
government, occurred nearly seven centuries
siace, when the Barons met at Kenny -mede
and forced the Magma Charta from King John.
1t even then began 10 be understood that the
governed had rights, and the world has ap-
proved the act that forced their acknowledge
ment from an unwilling sovereign.
The American government was instituted
for the benefit and protection of the governed.
The original compact for the first civilized
government, was formed npon similar basis.
Cotton Mathcr informs lis that the pilgrims,
previous to their landing at Plymouth, entered
into compact to pass all necessary laws for
the benefit Of the governed, and not for those
who govern. It was this spirit that sustained
the patriots in Tie conflict that preceded the
formation OF cur government. 1t was in this
spirit that the trainers of the Constitution re-
mained silent upon the sectional issue since
raised by igno ant or designing demagogaes,
only requiring that Congress should adopt all
needful rules and regulations for the govern
ment of the territories. 1t was in the same
same spirit and in perfect consonance with that
requirement Of the constitution. that Congress
adopted the Kansas-Nebraska bill and placed
the power to determine their local Institutions
with the people thereof.
The demand now made, that Congress shall
establish or exclude certain institutions in
the territories, in accordance ith the desire Of
sectional States, is strange TO the American
continent and Government 1t is no reputation
of the principles and facts determined by the
Dred Scott decision, to permit the local insti-
tutions of embryo States to reflect the VIII of
the people thereof.