Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-06-03
Ait9mon0 En4ulrer.
BY RITCHIE, DUNNAyAST. TYLER q WISE
FRIDAY MORNING. JUNE 3, 1859.
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY vs. sQUATTER soVE-
REIGNTY.

IoWHiS
lion. Linn Boyd, the candidate for Licuten-
ant Governor of Kentucky has been claimed
by the Louisville Courier as friendly TO the
proposition that Congress should be requested
to protect slavery in the Territories. II en-
tircly and thoroughly misrepresents him.
The Lexington Statesman says that Mr.
Boyd disapproves the whole movcmcnt-thinkS
it most unwisc, utterly barren of advantage TO
the South, and fraught with trouble to the
party and danger to the country. He believes
that Congress has power to extend to slavery
protection as to all other species of property in
the Territories, but he does not hesitate Ia de-
clare his opinion that such demand at this
time, is unnecessary, impolitc, and breach o!
faith with the parties TO the compromise mc,-
surcS of 1850 and lS;i. tie believes that the
South ought not now 10 ASK Il Slave rode tor
the Territories at the hands of Congress, and
is opposed TO Congressional intcryentona AT this
time, either to protect or in any mode regulate
slavery in the territories.
Such is the position TO whi'h absolute non-in
tervcntonsln pushes its own adhcrcntS. If the
assertion Of the statesman shall he found
accurate, then we have reason for ronGratula-
ton at Mr.. Boyd's frankncss while VT regret
that u statesman Of his distinction should be
miSlcd into position so much ut varancc with
the constitutional rights ul the states and cSpc-
cally with the interests Of the Southern
States Nay. the hest Interests ri all the
! States of the Union demand that the slave
~ question shall lac settled on permanent ba
sis; and every light Of experience orof forecast
demonstrates the fact that no basis of settle.
mcnl can he permanent. unless il shall consist
in strict recognition and observance of the
letter AMI spirit of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States.
Admitting the fact that the Constitution does
confer on Congress the power to protect every
species Of persons and property in the Terrific
rics Mr.. Boyd is obliged to admit that it i,
the imperative duty of Congress to pass nil
! acts necessary to secure such protection.
! This is an n>tanrc in which power and duty
are inseparabe
But Mr.. Boyd urges that Congressional: pro
| lection to certain species "i property Is 'un-
necessary. How unnecessary: Unnecessary
at present: This is at least doubtful, at this
moment, when territorial legislature is open
| Is attempting the abolition OF slavery. Ter
tainly, Mr.. Boyd cannot pretend TO such pro-
phc,ic inspiration as would authorize the as
scrtlon that hcncciorward and forever Con
grcssional protection TO the rights Of persons
and property in the territories, will hc 'un-
| G., n 81 .s.,t,
cd, Congress should be left where the const
tuition leaves it, Judge in each instrncc that
NAV arise, what legislation, if any. Is ''ncccs.
sary and proper for the sufficient protection Of
persons and property.
Mr.. Boyd further urges that any demand for
| protection, from Congress. AT this time, would
as to the necessity for protection u Mis time,
and does not touch the vital question at IS
sue That question i>, shall the. people OF
any part of the Union, ahiurc, renouncc or
waive their unqucstionablr right to the
protection Of their persons and property by
each and every department of the General
Government:
Finally, Mr.. Boyd ohjrc;> TO i constitutional
exercise of power by Congress, a> involving
breach of some agreement entered into by GER
tain parties to the compromise measures of
1850 and 1854
These parties, VIC presume, are the ncm-
bers of Congress who voted for the measures
referred 10. hid Southern members by voting
! .t E
1850, or for the subsequent Kansas Nebraska
compromise, intend t" nullify the power and
duty Of Congress 10 protect persons and pro-
perty in the Territories: We doubt whether
many will be found to admit such intention,
and many have certainly denied il. But sup
pose they lid. How, then, is their action
member Of Congress takes AN oath to support
the Constitution. The Constitution makes it
his duty TO vote for laws protecting persons
and property iii the Territories He enters
into partisan agreement to oppose the pas
sage of such laws. Which must he violate
! the oath or the agreement? This simple state
ment Of the case is sufficient To expose the
prctencc about Il breach Of faith so indus
triously harpcd on by non-in;ervcntionist par.
tisans. If any member or Congress has cll-
tered into an agreement to violate the Consti-
tuition, that agreement is in no manner bind
ing on the people of the United States, or on
the Democratic party--and he owes it to good
faith he owes it to his oath, TO violate the
agreement.
As for the catch-wort. "sayc code, 50 ire
qucntly employed, VIC seriously protest against
its employment by other than Black Republi-
can presses and orators. 1t smacks Of abo-
tionism, and does injustice to the position and
the Just demands of the South. We ask for no
"slavc code" We ask for no peculiar or ex-
elusive privilege for slave persons and slave
property. We only ask that all persons and
all property shall receive from the General
Government the measure of legal protection
awarded them by the Constitution.
\ word more. We recommend to all OF our
knees on the subject Of Constitutional right,
aperusal of the manly, straightforward, con-
scrvativc position announced by the Demo
cratic Standard of Concord, New Hampshire.
We will publish hereafter the article at length.
At present, an extract must suffice:
"The Washington organ, (thc Constitution,
VIC imagine will find that it will be compelled TO
take the only true and substantial ground with
IN this nunsfiop urhich rup hr taken.
viz: that all property. existing in the form oi
slave labor, or cattle, or horses, or in any other
form, must be fully protected in the territories
1st, by the people of the territories, if they
will; I'd, by the judiciary, if that shall prove
adequate; and if both the former fail or prove
inadequate to protect such property, then, Sd,
h. nf The