The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-12-15

Union as a state. "In the meantime'-
and a very mean time it is---"thev are ad
mitted d'-how gracious that is-.to exer.
else and enjoy the rights of self govern.
ment in subordination to the constitution
and in obedience to the organic law" |
pass over, to night, the limitation of "sub-
ordination to the constitution though
the whole wickedness of the Dred Scott
decision is covered up in it--and ask your
attention TO that ether limitation, ''obedi-
ence to the organic law"
| The people of territory must obey
.'the organic law" They have only such
rights of sclf-government as they may ex-
ercise in obedience to that.
The popular sovereignty taush. by JEFF
ferson consisted in the derivation Of the
powers of government from the governed.
There can be no genuine popular sovc-
reignty, according to his teaching, where
the people do not institute their own gov
ernment-frame their own "organic law "
Now, how is it with Douglass "my
doctrine? Why, "ny doctrine" refers
the power of organizing the government
of the territories to Congress. Mr.. Doug
las himself framed the organic act---the
fundamental law-the constitution of
Kansas and Nebraska. Congress, by en-
actment, gave it being and vitality Nei-
ther the people of Kansas nor the people
Of Nebraska were consulted at all about
their institutions. The consent of the
governed had nothing to do with the pow
ers Of the government Those covers
are derived in Kansas and Nebraska and
every other territory. f'om the act of Con
grcss which Mr. Douglas calls the organ
ic law. When lie says, therefore, that
the rights Of sefgovcrnment are to te
exercised iii obedience to the organic law,
he says, IN reality, they are to be exer-
cised in obedience to Congress.
What kind Of popular sovereignty have
we here? Does not this sham cut rather
sorry figure by the side of the grand old
verify of Thomas Jefferson
But now let us look into my Kansas
Nebraska bill" and see what powers of
selfgovernment the people may exercise
sin obedience to the organic act" Ev-
cry really self. governing people must ex-
ercise, through agents appointed by it.
self, in such form as itself may prescribe,
legislative, judicial and executive powers,
In other words, it must make, consIruc
and execute its own laws.
Now VIC have already seen that with
the making of its fundamental law the
people of Kansas or Nebraska had moth
ing whatever to do. Mr. Douglas and
Congress made it. But, passing over this,
how much Legislative, judicial and exec
utiyc power does the organic act allow to
the people? 1t vests the legislative
power in the Governor and legislative
assembly fixes the number of members
Of each branch Of the Legislature; pro-
vides for their pay; determines how many
days they may sit; and then subjects all
their acts TO the veto of the Governor.
Not much popular sovereignty here
Not much 'power of self government in
obedience to the organic act" where no
bill can become law without the approx
al of the Governor, unless passed by
vote of two-thirds Of the members of each
House! But this is not the worst of it.
The Governor, thus made constituent
clement OF tho legislative power, and
clothed with the prerogative Of the veto,
is not elected by the people Of the terri
tory, but appointed by the federal gov
ernment, through the President
Thus we see that this organic act al
lows the people. next to the legislative
power. What executive power does it
give them? None whatever. That pow
er is vested in a Governor, or, in his abb
sence, in a Secretary, and both are ap-
pointed by the President. Where then,
finally, does the organic act vest the SUI
preme judiciary power? In Supreme
Court. Do you say then, DWELL, the pco-
pie certainly elect their own judges" If
you do, you are mistaken for the judges
are all appointed by the President. What
powers of self government, then, I repeat,
have the people of a territory Sin obedi-
ence to the organic law; No executive
power, no judicial power, and practically,
no Legislative power, except in subjuga
tion to the federal Executive. In other
words, here Is people, organized as a po-
Iitical community by act Of Congress,
without power to make, construe or exc
cute their own laws. Can we fail to ad-
mire, in the organic law by which they
are thus subiugated, "my doctrine of pop
ular sovereignty"
Now, these violations of every just prin-
ciple of true sell government were not in
advertant or accidental. When this Kan
sas- Nebraska bill OF Mr., Douglas was un-
der discussion, l, as your senator, object
ed to the veto power proposed to be given
the Governor, but without avail. l pro.
posed amendments giving to the pe0p'e