Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1859-10-15
a.o.rrER sorERE1errY.,

This phrase is a lucky invention for the
! clap trap politicians who, in the absence Of
ideas, deal in words. Il has been used as a
scsrecroW, and swered the purpose; but eX-
Derience has shown that a scarecrow will no;
last long even birds find out, after a while,
that the object Is harmless. II anything is
meant BY the phrase, it lie the right OF an or
gained community in a Territory, when, in
the Judgment Of Congress, there are people
enough TO make ard execute their own laws,
10 l~egfsiate for themselves, without the super
vision Of Congress. This is Squstter SoyeT-
eighty ; and this we are called upon to be very
much scared at In these latter days, after we
have followed the practice Of Squstter Sover-
eighty since the first landing Of the Pilgrims.
Tie first settlers Of this country fattered
themselves that they were the very people to
'egfslaie for themselves. From that day 70
his squatter sovereignty, in the sense il is now
Isei, If il be used in any sense, has prevailed
fn this country. Az the bsbble about the SOW
ereiEuty OF Congress over Territories, is Moth
ing but an idle theory, Rhs b has never been
acted on. Il asserts a power which its sdyo
Gates have uniformly found il ineXpedieut 20
exercise Congress once reserved the right to
nuiify any law a Territory might make
Well. If the people accept an organic act with
his provision in it, il will then be their con
sit-don ; il viii be part Of the compact; and
ct Congress has been always wise enough not
30 exercise he power. In the Kansas bill, as
L. was proposed to leave the people perfectly
free to regulate their own domestic affairs,
this power reserved to Congress was stricken
out. It made iittls practical difference, IS 1t
was but a nominal right Of Congress which
hat body never exercised.
Indeed, We don't see how Congress could re-
peal law which Ccngre's has no power to
pass. It is a ease which would be a puzzle to
a iuist, as Judge Campbell intimates. All
parties feel, when the case comes, that Con-
Eress had better let the subject alone; while
the people OF a Territory viii never be con-
WINGED BY any logic that they are not, Of right,
eoTsreign over their own Affairs. Aftsr al the
logic is over. they viii resist any interference F;
and they viii have the sympsthies Of this
country. We have been used TO this thing call
ed, with a sheer, "souatter so~vereignty.o It
has been always in practice in this country T;
and it always viii be. I'll not worth while to
be scared al this late day at what is meant BY
e.. Michigan and Arkansas undertook to
change their form Of government, from a Ter
ritorV to a state, without the assent Of Con
gress. Congress, instead Of being frightened
az b., sanctioned the proceedings California
took squ1tter sovereignty, 80 called, without
qualification, zane 70 Congress with IL, and
was approved. Kansas made Leeompton BY
sqaatter sovereignty, aud those vino now rail
at the name, thought the Leeompton work the
most perfect Job Of work. The President said
10 human authority had power to pronounce
r. a nullity. Kansas is again exercising this
squatter sovereignty. She comes again to
Congress, without The authority Of that body,
and against its authority. and yet the chances
are, that Kansas will be approved.
This power Of changing The form Of govern
ment is the highest act Of sovereignty and
vet Congress has again and again approved
even that-Louisriue Democrat.