Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1859-10-06
THE TERRITORIAL QUESTION.
The Division Line Between Fed
eraI AutEOrity--POpular SOVes
reignty i'm the Territories
BY STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.

[Concludcd.l

[Concludcd.l
Thus the policy of the Colonies on the
Slavery question had assumed a direct
antagonism to that Of the British Govern
ment; and this antagonisn not only add
ed TO the importance of the principle Of
local self-government in the Colonies, but
produced a general concurrence of OPT
mon and action in respect TO the question
of Slavery in the proceedings Of the Con-
tinental Congress, which assembled at
Philadelphia for the first time on the 9Th
of September, IVA.
On the 18th of October, the Congress
adopted a Bill of Rights for the Colonies,
in the form Of a series of resolutions, In
which, after conceding to the British Gov
ernment the power to regulate commerce
and do such other things as affected the
general welfare of the Empire without
interfering with the internal polity of the
Colonies, they declared, That they are
entitled 10 a free and exclusive power IN
their several provincial Legislatures.
where the right of representation can
alone be preserved, in all cases Of taxation
aud internal poHty." Having thus defn-
ed the principle for which they were con-
tending, the Congress proceeded to adopt
the peaceful Measures" which they
still hoped would be sufficient to induce
compliance with tn ir Just and reasonable
demands. These Peaceful Measure" 5"
consisted of addresses to the King, to the
Parliament, and to the people of Great
Britain, together with an Association Of
/ Nun-Intercourse to be observed and main
tanned so long as their grievances should
remain unredressed.
The second article of this Association,
which was adopted without opposition, and
signed by the Delegates from all the Col
onies, was in these words:
THAT VIC VIII neither import nor purchase any
slave imported after the Is day Of December next,
after which time we will wholly discontinue the
Slave-trade and we will neither be concerned in it
ourselves, Will we hire vessels, sell our
commodities or manufactures to those who cnga-
/ gcd in it."
The Bill Of Rights, together with these
Articles of Association, were subsequent
ly submitted to, and adopted by each of
the thirteen Colonies in their respective
Provincial Legislatures.
Thus was distinctly formed between
the Colonies and the parent country that
issue upon which the Declaration of In
dependence was founded and the battles
of the Revolution were fought. 1t invol-
we'd the specific claim on the part of the
/ Colonies-denied by the King aud Parli-
ament-to the exclusive right of legisla-
lion touching all local and internal con,
Germs, Slarery included. This being the
principle involved in the contest, a majo,
rity of the Colonies refused to permit
their Delegates to sign the Declaration o
Independence except upon the diStinc
con lition and express reservation to eacl
Colony Of the exclusive right to manage
and control its local concerns and police
regulations without the intervention o
any general Congress which might b,
established for the United Colonies.
Let us cite one Of those reservations a
: specimen of all, showing conclusivel,
that they were fighting for the inalienabl
right of local self-government, with th
clear understanding that when they ha,
succeeded IN throwing off the despotisn
of the British Parliament, no Congress
: sionaI deSpotisrn was to be substituted 70
il:
"We the Delegates Of Mary land, in Conventio
assembled, do declare that the King of Great Britai
has violated his compact with this people, and tbo
they owe 10 allegiance to him. We have therefor
thought il Just aud necessary to empower our Depu
ties in Congress TO join with ma jority Of the nit
cd Colonies in declaring them free and independen
, States In framing such further confederation be
/ tween them, in making foreign alliances, and /
adopting such other measures as shall be Judged nc
cessary for the preservation of their liberties
Provided The sole and exclusive right of regu
lating the internal pulity and government Of ;hi
Colony be reserved 10 the people thereof
We have also Thought proper 10 call a ncW Con
vention for the purpose Of establishing new gov
, ernment in this Colony.
No ambitious views no desire Of independents
induced the people Of Maryland to form unicn nit
the other Colonies. To procure an exemption troI
the Parliamentary taxation, and to continue to th
Legislatures of these Colonies the sole Ond eXcluSF
right of regulating their Internal Polity, was on
original and only motive. To MAINTAIN lnvlCate on
h liberties and 90 transmit them unimpaired to po;
tertv was our duty and first wish next, to cor
tinue connected with and dependent on Great Brit
ain. For the truth Of these assertions We appeal
that Almighty Being who is emphatiealy styled tn
Searcher Of hearts and from whose omniSciencc nor
is concealed Relying on His Divine protection an
assistance, and trusting to the justice of our eaus
we exhort and con jurc every virtnous cIlz to Jo
cordially in defence of our common rights, and
, maintenance Of the freedom Of this and her siSt
Colonies" .--
The first Plan of Federal Governmer
adopted for the United States was forme
during the Revolution, and is usual
: known as "The Articles cf Confedera
I ton" BY these Articles it was provide
r that "Each State retains its Sovereignty
Freedom and Independence, and ever
= power, Jurisdiction and right which is NJ
by this Confederation expressly delegate
: to the United States in Congress assent
led"
Il Art1oIy- ,of Topfadarr