The Shasta courier., 1859-04-30
Original Position of Mr.. Douglas.


recently published the following resolution, pre-
sented at the Cincinnati Convention by the Mis-
sissippi delegation, and which the Natchez Free
Trader says was framed and written by Mr..
Douglas. The Free Trader says that the Missis-
sippl delegation appointed a committee from
their number to report q proposition upon the
subject of slavery, proper to be submitted to the
Convention as the views of Mississippi, and that
the committee accordingly reported this resolu-
ton, which Mr.. Douglas furnished them:
Resolred, That the National Democratic party
believe in the perfect political equality of the
states, and that the citizens of every State have
an equal right to emigrate peaceably to the Ter
rltorles, and to take with them whatever is re-
cognized as property in the State from which
they go, and there receive for it adequate legal
protection ; that there is no power in Congress
or IN the Territorial Legislature to exclude from
the Territories anything that is regarded rs prop
erty IN State but when Territory has suffi-
cient federal population, lawfully entertained to
entitle II to one Representative in Congress (.e
according to the present ratio, 93,42O) it is the
duty of Congress to authorize the Territory to
form State Constitution, republican in its form,
preparatory to its admission into the Union as
State, and that it is no constitutional ground of
objection to the admission of such State that the
Constitution thus formed either admits or ex-
eludes slavery.
We doubt the declaration that Mr.. Douglas
framed this resolution. Mr.. Douglas was in
Washington City during the sitting of the Gin
cinnat Convention, and hence it is not likely
that the Mississippi delegation telegraphed all
the way to him foF resolution expressive of their
views on the slavery question. Mississippi had
very talented deiegation-among the number
was Senator Brown, who in the q. S. Senate,
recently precipitated that body into the famous
debate on the question of protecting slavery in
the Territories We think therefore that they
we're perfectly competent to the task of framing
4 resolution expressive Of their views on the
slavery question. One thing is very certain, the
Mississippi deleg ,tion never presented the reso
luton in the Convention.
But granting that Douglas wrote the resolu-
tion, why speak of it as stating his =" original"
position on the question? Fairness demanded
that this remark should have accompanied the
resolution that his present position is precisely
the same as that indicated in the resolution. He
then thought slave property in Territories was
entitled to adequate legal protection" He
thinks so still. He only contends that Congress
shall not interfere with the matter-that the
whole question shall be kept out of Congress,
and left to the Territorial Legislatures and the
Courts, where the Nebraska Bill and the Demo-
cgatic doctriRe of non-interference meant to
leave it. No where can it be found that Mr..
Douglas has expressed the belief that a Terrific
rial Legislature abolish slavery in the Ter
ritories On the other hand he holds that they
cannot do anything of the kind. If they pass
such law, however, be says, in effect I" let the
Supreme Court declare it null and void don't
ask Congress to do it." He still holds that slave
property, as well all other kinds of property
protection but holds as the Cincinnati platform
holds, that such legal protection cannot proper
ly come from Congress, for the reason that Ito
quote the language of said PLATFORM Congress
has no right to interfere with slavery in State
or Territory, or in the District of Columbia
JOINED THE MoRMoNs-The citizens of Honey
Lake Valley, in mass meeting assembled, re-
Gently determined they would not " claim pro-
lection under the laws of California" but would
draw up memorial asking Gov. Cumming to
enable thefi to join the Mormon territory. The
good folks fHoney Lake are rather "notionaie :,
When hostile Indians threaten them, they cry to
California for help and protection. When the
danger is no longer impending, they flaant their
IL & n
inclinings fer the Oriental luxury of polygamy
and eoncubinage. We presume, if the Indians
keep peaceably disposed long enough, that every
man in Honey Lake Valley will be the possessor
of one or more wives. Seraglios will be found
on every quarter section, and the veice of chill
dren viii be b ,ard awaking the echoes, " morn,
noon and nj hit" throughout the Honey Lake
kingdom.
We have some friends over there that we are
greatly solicitous about We fear that the temp
tation of getting even one wife-to say nothing
at all about half q dozen--would be sore trial
to them. We fear they would weaken" in the
knees, and when the question was propounded,
g Wilt thou become a Mormon, and be blessed
Htth ohe' wv lhieei yea; HaII Il uoZen wives r.
we fear they would " wilt" We especially fear
for our friend Maj. Roop, recently appointed
Postmaster General for all Honey Lake Valley.
To him we earnestly say, "Don't-be virtuous
and you will be happy"
GEN. SHIELDs.-We extract the follewinp p from
report of a speech, given by the gallant Gen.
Shields, at the Metropolitan Hotel, New York, on
the 18th of March, the occasion being the ami
versary dinner of the Friendly Sons of ST. Pat
fick. There were two hundred guests present,
and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed:
1" The Americans might have their good lest
at Ireland, but they trusted the Irish both in
their councils and in their armies TTremen-
dous applause.] lie was an example, for he
came here poor Irish boy, and had represented
two sovereign States in Congress, and led Amer
lean soldiers to battle. What other man but an
Irishman would an American trust in this way {?
[Upr-r-roarious applause 1t just showed that
man might love his mother and rot forget his
wife"
FILLIBUsTER MovEMENTs.--We learn that
among the passengers who left port in the Sono-
L..