Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-04-03
squatter sovereignty.

The Patriot alarms itself unnecessarily with re-
gard to the views of the Democratic party on the
subject of Squatter Sovereignty. Before the deei>
sion of the Supreme Court in the case of bred Scott
differences existed as to the legal Interpretation Of
The Kansas Nebraska Bill By that decision the
question was settled in exact accordance with
the doctrine contained in the Presidents Inau-
gural, and in conformity with cur own opinions.
While the Know Nothing party were prsermiiulg any
expression of opinion on the power of Congress to
prohibit slavery in the territories the Democracy
ablished the principle that neither Congress the
territorial legislature had to prohibit it, The
speech of Mr., JONES to which our contemporary re-
fers, was made before the bred Scott decision. We
are authorized to say that he bows to the authority
Of the Supreme Court and there is no true Demo>
erat who dissents from that decision.
The Patriot being on the "Squatter Sovereignty"
SCENT thinks il finds traces of that doctrine in the
Democratic platform adopted at the late convention
in this city. On the contrary, the resolution the
subject of slavery endorses the bred Scott decision
and asserts that slavery and the rights of slavehOl
ders in the territories protected by the eonsttu
ton of the United States and an appeal to the judi
cal tribunals of the country. Does the PItriOt dis
sen. from that sentiment: Our neighbOr has been
SO much exercised about "Squatter Sovereignty
that he i,.pretermits" an expression of his own
opinions with reference to the rights of slsYe,
holders in the territories. The platform of his
party is silent on that subject II does not
even asser. the right to carry slaves into the
territories
Now it is we'll known that the Know Nothing
Opposition party of the South under the lead
Of BELL and CRITTENDEN preparing to unite
with the Black Republicans. They are now acting
in concert with them in their war upon the admins
traOn. In adopting their platform in this State the
Convention took care to put nothing in it often
sive to their northern brethren THY consequently
ignore the whole subject of Slavery except thatthey
maintain the principle settled that 'lhe people of
the territories s0hsn they 10 form constitution
and establish State government, shall decide the quss
lion for themselves"
The Democratic platform of 1856 contained SINH
lar resolution; to wit:
Resolved That we recognize the right Of the peo-
pie of all the territories, including Kansas and Ne
braska acting through the legally and fairly express
ed will Of majority of actual residents and sohen
the number Of their inhabitants jHstes IT, TO form
eOnstutioR eih OithOut domestic Slavery, and be
admitted into the Union upon terms perfect equa
ty with the other States"
1t will be reccollected that the Patriot and
the entire Know Nothing party interpreted this
oluiion as an endorsement of Squster Sovereignty
The organs and speakers of that party held it up
to the people assertion Of that doctrine. Now,
having given it such Interpretation, the party
in convention assembled, adopt an exactly similar
resolution asserting the same principle in almost the
same words. We shall not now argue the question |
whether our Cincinnati resolution contains the
doctrine Of Squaiter Sovereignty or not. The
Patriot and its party say it does, and they immed-
ately proceed to incorporate it into their platform
They say the language of the Cincinnati platform
means Squatter Sovereignty, and having so inter-
pretsd it they employ similar language in their own
platform. OF course they intend to be considered
be advocates of Squstier Sovereignty.
There is no evading this conclusion. They found
necessary to make concessions to their opposition
brethren of the North, and they tender them this
platform as peace Offering. They deliberately
ndorse principle which they once denounced as
atal TO the South. They openly avoW doctrine
Ihich they have again and again declared would
erminate the existence Of slavery in the territories
nd all this for the purpose of consolidating their
orthern allies.