The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-10-10

sonNo>A ~ apply ~ 'hOSS 1870 -" 1850
they were more nearly connected.
They claimed ne right Of sdf govern
ment because they knew themselves to
be qualified to administer their own laws
as well as to enact them. AID they
claimed the right to do both, on the
ground of their equality with the sub
jects of other and older nations. They
obtained their claims and organized their
Congress, passed their own laws, and set
the craft Of their government at work,
giving them wholesome instruction, and
time has shown that their idea Of self
government was more than a fitful dream.
1t was glorious reality, and it has been
proved subject worthy Of imitation by
all the nations of the earth. rb
But the question is urged, Is it right
to hold this subject of non-intervention
open for adjustment by a majority of vo-
.
tiers in Territory, or at the time of its
becoming a State!" This question may
be unhesitatingly answered in tie affirm
alive. The colonies adjusted all matters
of the kind for themselves while they
were in the same as Territorial condi-
ton, and that was right. They adopted
such constitutions as they thought most
proper for their prosperity when they be-
came States, and that was right. The
colonies united under the form Of order
that best pleased them, and formed con .
fedcracy, and in Congress of States the
affairs of the general government have
been regulated. But in all this has the
right of the Territories been infringed
Has one single right been withdrawn from
any Territory9 Never! 1t was right
for the colonies to regulate all their af-
fairs from the first hour Of their colonial
existence to the day of their becoming in
dependent States, it is equally right now
for Territory 10 do the same.
1t is clearly the privilege of any organ
lied Territory to decide by a majority Of
of its legal voters, what kind of laws,
rules and edicts are best calculated to en-
nance their own happiness and prosperity.
And they must be acknowledged TO be
the best judges of what is the most prop
er and necessary for the advancement Of
the people and the improvements of their
own State.
Moreover the harmony and peace as
well as the preservation of the Union re-
quires the strict observance of non-inter-
vention. II has been fifty said, Char
mony is the strength of any institution v
and we may safely add, "Moro especially
this of ours" He who properly consid-
ers the importance Of the Union of these
States-of all the States.-will freely &c.
knowledge it to be paramount 10 every
other political consideration. Who that
can appreciate what it cost to establish it,
and how its friends have struggled to pre-.
serve it, how it has grown and prospered
amid threatenings and dangers, how il
has stood while menaced by foes without
and foes within, how il has risen to an
eminence which is even subject Of envy
to all other civilized nations, would think
any sacrifice too small if it would be the
means of preserving the Union9 When
we think of the advancement of the arts
and sciences, under its fostering care, and
the millions of the happy freemen rejoic-
ing in their national and individual adj
vancement, we may well say the princi-
pie of self government shall be preserved
inviolate, and all the Territories shall en-
JOY it.
When we retrospect the progress Of
our country, from its colonial position, and
note its progress as il has advanced step
by step until it has reached its present
glorifed position among the nations, and
judge of its future from its past history,
what may not be expected of it when
another century hastens away, if it is al
lowed to work on in the harmony which
should mark its progress9 The unani-
nous adoption of the principle of non-in-
tervention would have tendency to work
this much desired result. If this be So
and who could doubt it?-let us have
non-intervention now, and non-interven'
ton forever. j. II. S.
JEFFERSON ON NoN-INTERvENTIoN.--
He was opposed to the Missouri Compro