Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1859-10-31

We have read with carefulness, Judge
Douglas article in The September No. d
Harper, as we'll as bis late speech al Gin
cinnati, and have lately reviewed his
New Orleans speech. We have read,
with equal care, the reply Of The admin
isiration. through Mr.. Attorney General
Black. to the several views and positions
of Judge Douglas, upon the right Of the
Territories. subjectto the Consultation,
to manage their own domestic affairs 10
their own way, and pass such municipal
laws and rules, for thegovernment and
use Of their property. AZ the citizens b
any Territory, formed into 4 respectable
community of the people might see fit to
pass, uncontrolled by any dictation 81 in.
reference upon the part Of Congress,
other Than the veto power Of the Cover
nor appointed for the Territory by Con-
gfess. We have formed our estimate Of
the yaihe ofthese several productions,
We have made up our opinion, upon the
positions assumed onheither side, as 4
question Of constitutional law In giving
10 the public our views upon these ques,
tions for what they may be worth, we
would remind them that upon a Consti.
tutional question. it is necessary to for
get locality, 10 our search for truth. The
interests Of men not unfrequently form the
basis Of their opinions upon questions 81
the first importance and passion, ratller
than reason brings us to rcoHclasions
Truth. like virtue, denying itself the
pleasures Of the day, looks to time fol
its reward. Newspaper editors. on. eth.
er side. who can comprehendsbut little d
a question, 50 purely legal, Vie with each
other oturn the public mind into sectional
channels upon these questions. Which,
On we live upon free or slave soil, we
must look each for himself, to a common
instrument from which we are % form
our conclusions upon these questions. II
It be thought strange that We do not side
with majorities governed BY local pas
sions, we must remind our ppponents
that upon such questions. candor com.
pells us 10 consult truth, rather than the
appetite of majorities. il
Il is tobe hoped that this win be. the
last struggle upon that great question,
which has 80 long aggitated the Amer.
can mind and imperile,l our Union This
is struggle for lie triumph Of princi-
pies, which underlay the foundations 81
The government. and enunciaie the polit-
ical problefn, that man iii social state ID
capable Of self government. A problem,
which the old and new States the Ter.
ritories and the States yet to be formed
out Of 4hem, are lett to solve. With ma.
.tioDs. as with individuals, expediency
should never be considered, when prin.
'ciple is involved, and that is q false and
baseless argument, which appeals to ex-
pediency, upon e question of Constitui
tional law. We will return to this alu,
sion in. smother place. Fs 55,ls IF
We believe that in whatever locality
or under whatever circumstances tlle
Anglo Saxon race have been,or may
hereafter be associated together, wheth.
er by thousands or millions, whether III
4 country densely or sparseiy settled. thai
they have and viii be- adequate to the
task of giving to themselves the best ID.
situations and laws, for the promotion 81
their own domestic quiet, peace, happi.
ness and prosperity. which is the object
OF government We believe that to car.
III out this principle and give to every
department of the country, State Or Ter.
ritory, this privilege was the governing
idea with the founders ofthe Republic and
the trainers ofthe Constitution. Every
po,cer and rigll not granted 10 the general
governments expressly /" reserved to the
States or to the people They ars re-
served to the States. as sovereign States.
and to the people III the Territories as pc.
ltical communities Of people, and they are
not reserved to the peopleiin the States 81
Territories, 10 q national sense. or as I'M
diyiduaiss but as political classes OF as.
sociations Of persons. composing 4 State
or Territory. In proof Or this position,
no question of political right. Of powers
reserved Of granted. can, under our sys.
tenn Of government, arise between the
government and the citizen, but such
questions can only arise .betWeensthe gen,
eral government and The Stale or Terrific
tx, 10 arSiale or Territory, and not a.
81 he general Government onr ALLAH
anos IS ana Il our STATE 81 Tarri,oria
5nvaffnn,snt,. "a, cannot owe allegiaus,
q Two goyernlnents and tj,ese 'Staia,
"a s o.. VI