White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-12-01
( WHOLE NUMBER, 1875.
The True Doctrine.

The editor OF the Indianapolis Atlas.
having been accused Of entertaining erro-
neous opinions upon the subject Of sla-
very, defines his position in most salts
factory manner. His position is the only
one that the Republican party can take
with reasonable hope Of gaining tri-
umph in the ensuing contest. Wequote
as follows:
1--WE have never doubted the Consti.
tutional power of Congress to prohibit
slavery in the Territories during their
territorial existence. Its exercise is q
matter of expediency, like the exercise
Of any other power. Congress has the
power to charter United States Bank
but it is inexpedient to do so. 1t has
the power to abolish all the impOst du-
ties. and to defray the expenses Of the
general Government by direct taxation
but it is not expedient to DO so. They
are not expedient, because no COED can
be accomplished by its exercise. Just
SO in regard to the exercise Of this pow
er so far as the present organized Terri
tories are concerned. Does any man in
his right mind, contend that its exercise
became necessary in order to prevent
slavery in Washington. Utah, or New
Mexico
II the Republican members Of the last
Congress were not well satisfied that
there existed no necessity for this restrie-
ton, why did they make an effort to ape
ply it to those Territories d? VIII any
-,o-,ba. of tbo rovk No,o-oas r.oIa -,
such attempt? Should any one be found
to do it, we venture he would not be
backed by corporal's guard 1t is un-
necessary. because all know that when
those Territories are prepared to apply
for admission into the Union they will
come with Constitutions made in accor-
dance with the wishes Of the people there
of prohibiting the existence of slavery
therein. That is all that an opponent
Of the extension of slavery desires.
Now as to the admission of new States.
We repeat, that, whenever Constitution
has been submitted to and ratified by .
fair vote of the people of the Territory,
the question of slavery should not con-
troll its rejection or admission. A new
State, under such circumstances, should
no more be rejected because of the exis-
tence Of slavery therein than that the
States where it now exists should be ex-
PEELED from the Union.
This was the asserted doctrine Of our
last Republican State Convention. The
following resolution was adopted by that
Convention
"Resolvsd, That the people of Terri
tory, when they come to form a Consti-
tntion preparatory to their admission into
the Union as State, hare the right to
adopt such Constitution, being Republi-
can in form, as may Be acceptable 10
themselves"
This doctrine does not conflict with
the Platform of the Philadelphia ConvSn-
ton. which was silent as to the admission
Of new States.
We are referred 10 the views of our
old Wing friends, Corwin, Schenck,
Lane and Lincoln. Not one of These
gentlemen, were he member Of Congress,
would vote against the admission of q
slave State, under the above circumstan-
ces. The whole Republican party in the
late congress voted to MAINTAIN the doc
trins when they voted for the Crittendeu
amendment. 1t is the only position
which can be maintained in Justice to ev-
cry section of the Union. If any party
desires self-destruction, let it determine
that under no circumstances whatever
shall any more slave States be admitted
into the Union, and it will accomplish
its purpose.
The position which Governor Corwin
so numerically ridiculed, and which IL
denounced BY the other gentlemen named.
is that the Kansas bill secured popular
sovereignty" to the people of that Terri
tory. when, at the same time, it author
lied the Preideat to appoint Governor.
armed with veto power, and other OIL
GERS to rule over them. They never intsn.
ded that States should be rejected because
Of the recognition Of slavery by their
Constitutions.
The difference between Judge Douglas
and the Republican party 10 Just this:
He contends that the people OF Terrific
ry, while it is Territory, can control
slavery, The never said they could pro.
hibit it. and the Republicans say, that
it is only when the people Of q Territory
come to form State Constitution, that
they can either establish or prohibit it, /,
the doctrine commended for by Judge Doug.
las is called "Squatter Sovereignty, that
contended for by the Republicans, Il
true and rightfnl Popular Sovereignty"
the right Of the people Of State to gov
srn themselves. just a. we Of Indiana and
all Sovereign States of the Union now