Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-10-19

have, even Oy analogy, 10 sovereignty Wnicn never
existed? It seems too that this sovereignty is sus
pended in the United States; that is, hung or de-
pendent from something in the United States, and
not independent like every other sovereignty under
heaven. But the most marvellous part OF the bust
ness is that one government which is sovereign is
represented as trustee of the sovereignty of an
other government which is admitted mol to be SOW
ereign. This is the talk of man who has too
much learning These technical terms of the com
mon law were invented by English conveyancers and
real property lawyers for the purpose of expressing
the artificial relations which men sometimes bear to
lands, tenements;>and hcreditaments; but they are
wholly inapplicable 20 such subject as the sover-
eighty af State or nation. We might as well call
territorial sovereignty, contingent remainder, an
executory devise, or special fee tail.
There is some confusion Of ideas on another sub
ect Mr. Douglas and his disciples ascrlbe to certain
democrats Ito the President among Others) the be-
lief that the constitution establishes slavery IN the
Territories; and to sustain this accusation they
quote from message in which EXISTENCE of slavery
in the Territories by rirtue Of the constitution is
asserted on the authority of the Supreme Court
Now we are in the wrong if the expression that
thing erists BY virtue of the constitution be equva
lent to saying that the constitution has established
it. There is not only substantial, but wide and
most obvious difference. The constitution does not
establish Christianity in the Territories; but Chris
ttanlLv exists Lnerc ny VlTtuc Ol
because when Christian moves into Territory,
he cannot be prevented from taking his religion
along with him, nor can he afterwards be legally
molested for making its principles tie rule OF his
faith and practice
We have said, and we repeat, that a man does not
forfeit his right of property in slave by migrating
with him to a Territory. The title which the owner
acquired in the State from whence he came must be
respected in his new domici as it in the DID, I'M
Al cfol VHn
proposition is undeniable But the absurd inference
which some persons have drawn from it is not true,
that the master also takes with him the judicial
remedies which were furnished him at the place
where his title was acquired Whether the relation
of master and slave exists not is question which
must he determined according to the law of the State
in which it created but the respective rights
and obligations Of the parties must I've protected and
enforced by the law prevailing at the place where
they supposed to be violated. This is also true
with respect to rights of every other kind. Two
merchants living in the same town may buy their
goods in different States. Can it be doubted that
the title of each depends on the law Of the State
where he made his purchase? But the law of lar
ceny and trcspass is the law Of forum common to
both. and must necessarily be the same. The valid
ity of mans marriage is tried by the standard of
the law which prevailed in the country where it was
solemnizcd; but if he beats his wife, she must seek
protection from the law of the place where they live
Some of Mr. Douglass partizanS and nearly all of
the antSlavery opposition, contend that property in
slaves cannot exist so to entite it to The protec
ton of the laws which secure the right prop
crty in other things. For their benefit we shall
briefly show how impossible it is to admit the dis
tinction which they insist upon.
What is property? Whatever person may le
gally appropriate to his exclusive and trans
fer to another by sale OF gift. BY the laws Of the
southern States, negroes within this definition
and the Constitution of the United States not only
recognises the validity of the State laws, but it aids
in carrying them out. The trainers Of the Consti
tuition. seeing that slaves were liable to one danger
from which all other property was exempt namely,
that of heing Scduccd away by the offer, in other
States of legal shelter from the pursuit Of their own
ers, agreed that the Federal Government should
guarantee their rcdclivcry to the exclusive posses
sion of the persons entitled TO them proprietors
The law, then, of the States in which they are, and
the Constitution of the Federal Government, to all
legal intcnts and purposes, pronounce that slaves
are property Beaten here, a,lrvr>urir> convert
it from legal to a theological question. But when
they appeal from the Constitution to the Bible they
are equally dissatisfied with the decision they get
Nothing is left them but that Higher Law" which
has no sanction and no authority, Divine or human
Those who reject the Constitution must be content
to follow guides who are store blind. They are
and thereby press themselves down to the EXTREMIST
point of human folly. They turn their backs on all
the light, which the world has, can have; they
go forth into outer darkness, and wander perpetual
~ in bowling wilderness of error.
But Mr.. Douglas is gutIess of this heresy, at
least He comedies that slaves are precisely like
other property, far regards the legal remedies
and constitutional rights of the owner He profess
cs to take the fundamental law of the land for his
s1n fhaf Inf his ,roct1n fhnnc
respond with his faith; let him "wak worthy of
the vocation whercwith he his called !" let him make
appeals to popular prejudice for sovereign
ty which does ut exist; above all things let him
never by the slightest suggestion encourage any
territorial government to undermine the rights of
the citizen by |egixlation which is unfriendy" to
the security of either property or life. We must
not paltcr with the Constitution in double sense,
but obey it. support it. defend it, earnestly and faith
fully like men who believe in it and love it. Who
attempts to trihe with its principles weak
en- the obligation of its guarantees, will find sooner
or later that he has fixed a stain upon his political
character which There is not rain enough in the
sweet heavens" to wash out
Our FAR.-From every section throughout the
adjoining country we hear the most hattering intel
lgcnce of general uprising of the people in favor
of our Fair, which is to come off on the 9Th, 9th,
likely to be large but the exhibition itself is certain
to prove more attractive than its most sangune
friends anticipated in the outset of the enterprise
From different adjoining counties and from almost
every neghborhood, we learn, preparations are
making to attend and articles being prepared to
exhibit. Meantime the Grounds and Buildings are
rapidly approaching completion and when finished
we think they will challenge comparison with any
Fair Grounds in the country.
Wa 1narD fhof a,vofo bo
pected IN the shape of boat racing. We already
know of several boats that will be entered How
stands it with our friend of the Wilmington HERALD
Will he and other lovers of acquatic sports from his
section be with us on the occasion of our Fair We
hope so.-Neaobern Progress.
As IT SHOULD BE-We are pleased to notice fire..
quent arrivals of country produce from Western
North Carolina, such green and dried fruit -four
wheat &c BY the last arrival per Railroad we no.
ticed lot of excellent cabbage heads consigned to
Messrs Fisher r. Foard which sold readily at from,