The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-10-21


Government to do It, nor can the Territori-
al Legislature itself do so for in such case,
it would be above the States-above Con-
gress-and above tho constitution that
the right Of property in slave is distinct
ly and expressly affirmed in the constitu-
tion; that the only power conferred Oh
Congress over the subject Of slavery, is the
power coupled with the duty of guarding
and protecting the owner 10 his rights :
that ev cry citizen of the United States has
the same right to carry, hold and enjoy in
the common territory, every species of
property which may be recognized as prop
crty in any one of the United Sratcs that
whatever the political department of the
Government shall recognize as within tho
limits of the United States, the Judicial
department is also bound to recognize, and
to administer in it the laws of the United
States, so far as they apply, and to maintain
in the Territory the authority and rights of
the government, and also the personal
rights, and rights Of property Of iad;vid-
ualcit;zens as secured by the Constitution
"This brief extract indicates my view of
the theory Of the question: view ,ich 1
believe is supported not only by reason, but
the highest authority ofcour,s, commentators
and statesmen
The point hero presented is the leading
issue of the day, and it will be observed
that the Senator in the doctrine laid down
and it the subsequent argument which he
makes against the contrasted position, as
sumcd by the Northern Democracy and
even hy some. Southern politicians repui-
ates Douglas Sovereignty, maintains the
right of the South to federal protection for
slave property in the Territories, and vir-
tually aftirms that the Dred Scott case should
receive the endorsement OF the Democratic
party, Of the Charleston Convention, and of
Congress, and whenever contingency may
arise in Territory, should be enforced by
all the departments and powers of the Fed
raj Government.
Attention is invited to another extract.
which is significant enough upon any future
remedy or action which continued wronp
and probably events may render necessary
Il affirm that the courts. territorial and
federal, in their proper order, will and must
take Jurisdiction Of all causes properly iu-
stltuted, to determine the rights ofproperty,
no matter whether that property be in
slaves, clocks or oxen. And they will have
jurisdiction under the constitution without
statute. But, if a territorial, legislature
should undertake to limit the Jurisdiction of
its courts, SO as 10 exclude the rights of
slave owners, then undertake to saw that
having thus manifested purpose to make
war upon property instead of giving it
protection, it has ceased to perform the
main function Of government, and ought to
be abolished. No one having a just con.
ception of the object. OF government, can
hesitate to say that any government. of
whatever form, wherever existing which
deliberately, and as system, makas war
on the property Of citizen, ought to be
abolished.'
A similar remark and the same point
we're made by Senator Hammond in his
Barnwell speech.
On the occasion referred to, Col. Chesnut
met the hearty satisfaction and well done
OF bis numerous constituents who were
present. He spoke before the dinner. Az
tor the conclusion Of this extensive and
handsome entertainment and the reading
and adoption of the regular toasts, speech.
es were made, on the call Of the meeting,
by the following, in the order named: Col.
John Cunningham, John A. Inglis., Capt.
George p. Elliott, Mayor Allen Green, and
others. These speakers entered with spirit
upon local opinions, the present Issues and
dangers, our rights and wrongs, and the
questions and remedies thsy involved.
They treated the main question as not only
an instant one of the preservation Of slave
Institutions and property, but as an ultimate
one Of Southern selfgovernmsut and inde-
ndsnce.-They not only demanded that
the South should have expansion and
share in the Territories, but .Aey repelled
submission to that destiny which nowthssat-
ens'to place the South as 4 minority under
the Antagonistic domination of9tbe North,
asa msjority and an alien ssctiop, tindsr'
the despotism Ola Black Republiean party
3and president. Tbs people responded 70.
these yiewa and feelings with general
enthusaasm. They will .insists d. sonjnao.
!tion with thsir sonshsta tbtathrsp, npon
both d ssmotals aud aphysiSxin yictosy 70,
the South; and will proceed 70 place her up.
D. fhs higb nissier % sAish her ssssenross
and an;sH nSG and ayan i5,nlIv Nh ant;tin