Daily national Democrat., 1860-02-12
The Alleged Power of Congress Over
Territories.


In the New York Times, we find a synop-
sis of debate which occurred in the U. S.
Senate on the 18th of January, on the alleged
power of Congress over slavery in the Terri
tories
Mr. Pugh explained the meaning of the
Kansas-Nebraska bill, which he regarded as
a surrender of the powers of Congress over
the Territories. He denied that the bred
Scott decision was susceptible of the Presi-
dents Interpretation. The President seemed
to think that the frequent assertion of the
same thing would cause it to finally be ac-
cepted as fact. lie deemed that in the bred
Scott case, the Supreme Court had settled the
question of slave property in the Territories
Mr. Green held that the Court had decided
that a Territory could not exercise any power
beyond that Of a Territory.
Mr.. Pugh denied that the Freeport speech
Of Mr.. Douglas, was the first enunciation of
the doctrine Of Popular Sovereignty. 1t had
been asserted before, by gentleman now in
Mr.. Buchanans cabinet, and also by Senator
Davis in his Portland sheech. Mr. Davis
denied that his speech was susceptible of
such a construction. Mr. Pugh read from the
speech, and was willing to leave the country
to judge. He then commented upon the re-
moyal of Mr. Douglas from the Craftsmanship
Of the Committee on Territories because of
the Freeport speech.
Mr.. Green repeated that MI Douglas had
not been removed in consequence Of that
Mr.. Douglas then explained that he had said
in his speeches that slavery might be excue-
ded 10y nonaetion or unfriendly legislation.
Every Senator knew that had been his opin
ion while Chairman of the Committee on
Territories
Mr.. Mason said he had not so understood
the former position of the Senator from Hi.
nois Mr.. Douglas said that no one in the
Senate had any excuse for not knowing it..
On the very night of the passage of the Kan
sas Nebraska act he held and expressed the
opinion which he now entertained as to the
power of the people in the Territories.
lie believed that three-fourths of the De-
moeracy of the country agreed with him.
He would show by the record that the ma.
iority had understood the terms Of the Kan
sas Nebraska Act as he did. Mr.. Richard.
son, who was the nominee for Speaker of the
House against Mr.. Banks, wrote a letter in
which he recognized the power of the peo-
pie OF the Territories, and after that got eve.
/ ~ southern Democratic vote except three.
lie admitted that he had regarded this AS
/ a judicial question, aud that he did so now.
The bred Scott decision did nat settle II II
was not argued bafore the Court. 1t would
1 have been disgraceful if the Court had deci.
/ dcd what was not before it.
Mr.. Green stated his views rs IN the nm.
/ derstanding at the time Of the MASSAGE of
/ the Kansas Nebraska biil. and said tbe Sen
tor from Illinois would not dare Dispute his
+ propositions '''
Mr.. Douglas replied that the word dar,
was unnecessary, and it was unnecessary to
/ handy words. lie dared assert the tTutb
/ When Senators had gotten through with
the bills of indictment against him. he would
fire at them in a lump
lie did not he said. "court the nomination
at Charleston. lie would not except it ex.
eept upon a platform conforming to his
views. lie would never commit the mean.
ness of being elected on a platform, and kick
it over afterwards lie believed two.thirds
Of the Democracy Of the country were with
him.