The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-07-21
Republican State Ticket.
Mason and Wilson on Congressional
Sovereignty.

Mason and Wilson OH Congressional
Sovereignty.
re- The editor of the Civilian, week
or two since, said he knew that Demo.
cratic bodies formerly endorsed the doc
trine that Congress had right to pro-
hibit slavery in the territories. but added
that he also knew that most of the men
composing those bodies are now furious
Republicans" Unfortunately, they have
not all gone into the Republican ranks,
not few Of them in this State still hang
ing on to the corrupt, pro-slavery organ
ization that has stolen the honored name
of Democracy, but exhibits none of its
substance. DODGE is one of these, for
there is but little doubt that he endorsed
the resolutions passed by the Democratic
Legislature of Iowa in 1889, which EN-
phatically asserted the sovereignty oil
Congress over the territories, and its du-
~ to use that sovereignty against the
spread of slavery, either into terri
tory then free, or any thereafter to be ac-
CURED. There is no doubt but that ev-
cry man on the Democratic ticket, ex-
cept. perhaps, G. c. Cole, who is re-
cent importation from the South, endors-
ed the doctrine of Congressional sover-
eighty, precisely as it is now held by the
Republicans, notwithstanding they now
declare it unconstitutional, and denounce
it as anti-republican and dangerous. The
question admits of no doubt as to two of
them, for We have their record to sustain
US, and were the record of Messrs. DoDGE
and BABBITT accessible to US, we repeat
that we should undoubtedly find that
they acquiesced in the doctrine upheld,
as Mr.. HEDGES observes, by numerous
Northern Democratic bodies. And yet,
for clinging to their old policy, Republ-
cans are denounced by these gentlemen
as sectionalists, disunionists and traitors
to the constitution, while we hear lofty
periods, and read magniloquent sentences
from them about the time honored, un-
changing principles of the Democratic
party
The Dubuque Times brings to light
decision formerly made by Messrs. Ma
SON and WILSON, two of the present can
dldates Of the bogus Democracy of this
State for the Supreme Bench, while they
occupied the position of Federal judges
in the then territory of Iowa. In the
year 1889, slave named Ralph left Mis-
souri,, with the consent of his master, to
work in the lead mines in Dubuque, slip.
ulating to pay $3.50 for his freedom
Failing, however, TO fulfill the agreement,
he was arrested by Montgomery. his mas
ter. as fugitive from Slavery. taken be-
fore Justice of the Peace, and a pre-
cePt issued for his delivery to the claim
ant and his transportation to Missouri.
A writ of haJeas corpus was, however,
issued by the Judge of the Third Dis
lrict, Hon. T. S. WILSON, and the pro-
ceedings transferred to the Supreme
Court, upon an agreed statement Of facts
IS above. The opinion of the Court was
delivered BY MASON, chief justice. and
conquered in by Messrs. WILSON and
WILLIAMS. associate justices. We ex-
tract one or two paragraphs of the deci-
sion. which. it will readily be perceived,
is in perfect conformity with the present
position Of the Republican party--a po-
sition which Messrs. Mason and Wilson,
IN common with the party whose candi-
dates they now are, fercely denounce.
We commend this exhibition of Demo-
cratic consistency and devotion to "time
aonored" principles to our friend Of the
Civilian. and beg leave to refer him to
its bearing upon the question of the ag-
sressivepess Of the Republican party
II is u debt" said The Chief Just
ce. . which he ought to pay. but for Lhe
ion- payment Of which 40 man in this
Territory can be reduced to slavery
In arguing the validity of the act of 800,
lie SAID, :. Congress possesses the supreme
,ower Of Legislation in relation to the Ter
-itories. and its right to prohibit slavery.
1t least in relation TO slaves subsequently
is doubtless Legitimate"
Could the claimant in this case re-
aia the custody and control of the peti-
iJner without invoking the all OF our
avs. and without their violation, We Ger
ainly should not interfere to prevent
Tim. But when he applies to our tribu
|als for the purpose of controlling as
that which our laws have de- |
Jared shall not be property. it is incum |