Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-09-07
ARYAND, FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER T. 1850

SuhuliJ MAUI loi uuiliioalOu iuto tHc
Union; and for this position two salts
factory and conclusive reasons were as
signed, to wit
LIST. That the right to settle the ques-
ton of slavery was conceded to the poo-
pie of the Territory, and not to the ter
ritorial government established by Con-
gress, which government could only have
such power as Congress could rightfully
grant; and that the people never could
act in their sovereign capacity until they
came to form their constitution.
I'd. That the power in the Territory,
by whomsoever exercised, was "subject
to the Constitution of the United States, I"
and that by virtue of it the right existed
to take and hold slaves in the Territory,
of which the people could not be de-
prived-neither by Congress nor by the
Territory during its existence as a Ter
ritory.
In the debate which followed this dis
pute it was distinctly and unequivocally
stated by General Cass and Judge Doug
las that if the Constitution gives the
right to hold slaves in the Territory
there was no power on earth to take it
away-neitbor Congress nor the Terri
torial authorities See appendix Con.
Globe, 34th Congress, 1st session, page
79I
The question was permitted to remain,
awaiting the decision of the Supreme
Court to determine this controversial
point; and it was agreed and understood
by both parties that the judgment of the
Court should be adhered to as final and
conclusive. Not merely that it should
end the particular case before the Court
for that is necessarily 50; but that the
questions determined by the Court should
be deemed settled.
In 1857 the Judgment of the Cour
was pronounced, and the opinion of tina
high tribunal expressly determines tina
the Federal Constitution does Of Itself
give and secure the right to every either
to take and hold any species of propert,
known to the Constitution, ineludin,
slaves, into the common Territories al
so, that Congress has no power to impai
that right aud, also, that much les
could the territorial government dcstro
that constitutional right, for it could on
/ ly have such power as Congress granite
to it, and Congress could not grant
power which is not possessed by itself
This was supposed to end the Who'll
matter, and the country reioicod at th
prospect of peace on the slave question
while, at the same time, solution wa
had which promised to secure the right
of all. Bat, unfortunately for the pcac
Of the country and the harmony of til
democratic party, the subject was no
permitted to remain at rest The Sout
had been fully vindicatcd Gen. Cas-
and such patriots were content, but, 70
some cause, Judge Douglas has revivet
the whole controversy with increased bit
terness and luminosity. Itnow threaten
serious disruption Of the party, and, al
consequence, the triumph Of black re
publicanism with all its attendant evils
The people, and the people only, can
avert the danger.
lie now holds, in violation ofthe agree
ment, and in utter disregard Of tn,
opinions Of the Supreme Court, that thu
territorial government can, by lega
means, exclude. slavery as directly a
Pennsylvania, and then demands {,
know how the South is going to hell
herself, unless by having.a congressional
slave code" Thus, you will pcrceivl
that his course has given rise TO TIN
whole clamor about " slave code" Blu
the conservative men Of the nation d,
not intend to be driven from their sens
Of propriety by any such clamor. AL
that we ask is, that adequate protection
be given for the purpose of securing ex
isting constitutional rights. Nobod,
wants more than than this. Nobody ask
Congress to intervene" on the subjec
Of slavery, so as to give rights of pro
perty and Of location not already pos
scssed but we do require that our pre-
sent constitutional rights shall be pro
tected against wrong-doers and malofac
tors. If The courts have sufficient power
under the laws Of tho land, then nothing
more will be required; but If the Terri
tories, acting under the advice and en-
couragcment Of Judge Douglas, SHOULD
interpose obstacles and destroy our pre-
sent rights, then it will be the duty o
Congress to interpose within the limits 0
its authority. Is this asking too much
Would any citizen be content with less
Government is designed for the protec
ton Of oil citizens in the enjoyment o
their rights, Of person and property anC
whenever and wherever necessary TO tha
end, its power ought to be exerted
This is the doctrine Of Breckenridge
but Douglas denies it, and would veto {
law designed for that purpose and con.
sequontly, shall support Breckinridgc
and oppose Douglas, however much | re.
spect him personally. will hero pre-.
sent familiar case by way Of jllustra.
ton. Under the Constitution wabave q
right to reclaim fugitive slaves Fol
many years this recognized right was
sufficient, until eyi-disposed persons at,
tempted to defeat and destroy that right
Then ii became necessary for Congress
to intervene" by passing a law, ap-
proved by George Washington, afordiDq
remedies to enforce the right.
Now, it is decided that the same Con.
stitution gives the right to The people 70
take and hold their slaves in the public
Territories. II, therefore, any one at
fennts IN destroy that admitted right. II