Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-04-16

not give the right to govern the buyers L
would like to know whether the doctrine tilat
the party, whether the government or an iu-
dvdual, who sells land, thereby acquires the
right to govern tile purchasers OF the lana, Is
any more ridiculous than the assumption thaC
the grain dealer who sells corn, the product OF
the land, thereby acquires the right TO govern
his customers
Snch grain dealer as this was Pharaoh,
who bouqht his people with corn. When the
wears of famine had rendered the land unpro-
ductive, and therefore worthless, the basis OF
absolute sovereignty was changed from land
10 the products Of the land. Sovereignty just
as much attaches, and with just as good right,
to the one as to the other. The assumption
that it belongs to either, or to the owner of Ell
Their, on account of possession, or Of sale, is
simply ridiculous.
Land is nothing but property The fiction
that the possession of land gives sovereignty,
and the right to govern people who are upon
it, is a part of the old feudal system. We
have everywhere connected with the fibers of
this government some of the relics of ancient
tyranny. When William the Conquerer in-
vaded and subdued England, he proclaimed
that the fee of all the land on the island was
in himself, and he parceed it out among his
retalners. Holding possession of the land, he
then proclaimed that all the men who lived
teudal system we derive this ancient, ta!la-
cious idea, that the possession of land by this
government gives it the power to govern any
body who shall buy the land. l have no SYM
pathy with any such thing. l detest it now,
and l shall detest it always, and use my influ-
ence against it.
Mr.. Speaker, while l advocate these views,
the amendment [ propose commits no man
who may vote for it to them for that amend
ment neither affirms nor denies the power of
Congress TO legiSlate hereafter for these land
districts which are thereby constituted. l
hope | have succeeded in showing that the
bill which is proposed will moi accomplish the
purpose which it processes to have in view. |
hope [ have succeeded in showing that we are
able, by natural and effective method, to
accomplish these results | might have spo-
ken of the complications which this terri
torial policy is ever imposing upon the
government, and of the dangerous con-
solidation of power to which these compli
cations inevitably lead. A republic never
can successfully govern provinces. Whenever
it has attempted to do it, the history of the
word has shown that it has not only failed but
it has been overthrow by that policy. The
policy Of acquiring and governing provinces
creates a necessity for an army and navy. 1t
is to make the president of the United States,
to all intcnts and purposes, a king, and am,
therefore for aboliShing this policy as soon as
may be-
You remember, sir, that it was upon this
very mission of acquiring and governing pro.
vinces, that Julius Caesar had been in Gaul,
when, returning, he crossed the Rubicon with
his army, and overthrow the liberation of his
country.
Similar to that has been the history of every
republic which has attempted to exercise non
resident jurSdcton-that has attempted to
acquire and govern provincial dependencies.
While | am willing to annex sovereignties at
the right time, protest against the acquisition
of territory, to be governed or sold by Con-
gress. l am for simplifying the operations
of the government in respect to the terri
tories. We have the land to sell Let us pro-
vide for selling it; but beyond that ! would
not recommend action. Let the people take
care of themselves They are the sovereigns
Congress is their servant.