Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-09-28
For The Standard.
For The standard.
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.

The doctrine of popular sovereignty in the Terri
tories of the United States, while in Territorial
condition, is humbug and cheat, AID can cxlS:
only in the imagination by wilful derection of
what | conceive to be an imperative duty OF the
Congress of the United States. If the Territorial
legislature can, at its pleasure by its laws OF other
wise, so embarrass omit to protect certain interest
or property as to drive it out of the Territory
prevent its going there, and thereby prevent such
property or interest from being represented in the
organization of State government for the Territory
then the majority of the citizens OF such Territory
is not oEly sovereignty but dcspotism; the
minority will be entirely at its mercy and without
protection or redress from any source whatever with
in its reach. Such an anomaly would he blot and
disgrace on the legislation of Congress; because
that body will have failed to carry out in good faith
the trust repnsed by the sovereign States. The
ConS,i ution of the United States gives 1.-The Con-
srcss the power to dispose of and make all needful
rules and regulat respecting the Territories or
other property belonging to the United States.
Then the evil will exist not because Congress (the
trustee of the States has no power to prevent it. but
because Of the eglect of plain duty imposed by
the Constitution.
This new land in some sections popular) doctrine
of "souat:er sovereignty" together with recent de-
velopmcnts in Territorial legislation, ought to ad-
monish Congress of its duty and make that body act
and e;raints to all suc. abuses and maegislation
Heretofore it seems Congress has not deemed it
necessary in the organic law creating Ter itorial
government, to incorporate any restrictions or in
functions except in general terms that its laws shall
COMO to and be consistent with the Constitution
of the Unitel States not because Congress had no
right to do under the Constitution, but most pro-
baby because that body supposed the community of
interest and raernal sympathy Of the people of the
Territory made it unnecessary. But now that it is
seen that partial and "unfrirndly" legislation is the
lever by which Territorial governments to hoist
themselves into scvereigntieS infctng gross abuses
and wrongs on both persons and property Of re-
e,ahlc portion of the people of the United States,
it will he mperitive duty on Congress in all flu
ture organization Of Territorial governments to i'm
pose both restrictions and obligations, lin the
language of the Constitution, all necdf,l rules and
rcgulatonS.) sufficiently comprehensive to compel
III Territorial legislature to pass laws to protect at
once equally alike and continually, all persons, pro-
Ecrty and interest recognized and protected by the
Constitution and laws Of the United States, that may
be within TIE bounds of said Territory, that may
at any time 90 there during its Territorial pupilage
falling or ncgecting for an unreasonable length of
time to carry ont in good faith the requirements of
their charter to be declared in state of anarchy and
revolt. Such a, ton of Congress will, think, rene
dy any imri oscr sectional influence or unricndly
legislation" toward any particular species of proper,
y in Terrt 'ria governments; and persons from any
or all of the Stes may 90 there with :hcr property
and remain equally secure in their persons and pro
perty. and with equal privilege in the elections for
representatives in the Territorial legislature, and
equally entitled to be heard and felt in the formation
of State Constitution when it may become proper
fer it to be admitted in the Union as a sovereign
State.
Here then is remedy, plain, simple efficient and
practicable, distinctly marked out by the constitution
for this miserable Yankee cheat and humhug called
"squatter sovereignty" which The people of tho
States should see to it is faithfully applied and en-
forced by their common agent and trustee the Con
grcss of the United States. There is no need tina
Congress should pass any slave code, horse code
liquor cofe, or any other code to compel the Terri
torial governments t, do justice to their interest
property. but simply to make mandatory, necden
rules and regulations to prevent any "unfriendly
legislation or other abuses affecting injurousv thu
persons or property of any of the people of tn
! United States to whom equally and alike belongs
the public domain; and TO which all have right t.
60 with their property free from restraint or ebar
rassmcnt by Territorial government. W.