Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-08-08
Ured Scott Decision.

/ Ured SCOTT decision.
| 1t is indeed strange to zee how many
different interpretations are given to the
points decided by the United States Sup
RENE Court in this celebrated case.
Below we insert the points decided by
the Court, and we ask our readers to give
them an attentive perusal, and then
Judge for themselves how far IL uphol6s
the doctrine that the Territorial Legisla-
ture possesses powers greater than, and
independent of Congress.
1t seems to us that it is impossible to
give this decision more than one interpret
alton, yet we find quite number of diff
ferent opinions given-some men howev.
er dissent from everything but them
selves, and for this they are great stick.
lers.
"wHAT THE DRED SCOTT CASE DECIDED"
In tho 10th VOL, of Howard's Reports
page 395 it is stated that the Supreme
Court of the United States decided in the
biCu OS''tt S1oc no lOlioWb.
1st. "The territory thus acquired is nc.
quired by the people of the United States
for their common and equal benefit, thro'
their agent and trustee. the Federal Gov.
ernment. Congress can exercise no pow.
er over The rights of persons or property
of a citizen in the Territory which is pro-
hibited by the Constitution. The Govern
ment and the citizen, whenever the Terri
tory is open to settlement, both ENTER it
with their respective rights defined and
limited by the Constitution"
| I'd. Congress have no right to prohib.
| it the citizens Of any particular State or
States from taking up their homes there,
while it permits citizens of other States TO
do so. Nor has it right to give privileg-
es to one class Of citizens which il refuses
to another. The Territory il acquired for
their equal and common benefit, and if
open to any must be open to all upon eq,
usl and the same terms"
Sd. Every citizen has right TO take ,oith hin,
into the Territory any article Of property which
the Constitutian of the United States recognizes
as property.
4h. The Constitution Of the United States
recognizes slaves az property and pledges the
Federal Government 10 PROTECTIT. And
Congress cannot exercise any more aus
thority over property of that description
than it may constitutionally exercise over
property ofany other kind"
5th. "The act of Congress, therefore,
prohibiting citizen of the Uniteu States
taking with him his slaves when he re.
moves to the Territory in question to re.
side, is an exercise of authority over pri-
vate property which is not warranted by
the Constitution, and the removal Of the
plaintiff by his owner to that Territory
gave him no title to freedom"
9th. while it remains Territory Con.
gress may legislate over it within scope of
its constitutional powers in relation to cit
izens of the United States and may estab,
lish territorial Government, and the
form of this local government must be
regulated by the discretion of Congress |;
but with powers not exceeding those
which Congress itself by the Constitution
10 authorized to exercise over citizens
OF the United States in respect to their
rights ofpersons or rights of property"
The LAW OF LIBEL.-The suit instituted
by the Hon JOHN P. HALE, of New Hamp.
shire, against the Boston Courier for libel.
in copying from the New York Times cer-
tain structures on his public career, will
present TO the Judges and jurors of Mas
Sachusetts very grave issue, and one in
which the whole country is interested.
The question to be determined is. simply.
the right Of the public press to comment
on the conduct of public men in their Of
tcial capacity, and the protection given
by the law Of libel to individuals in their
private characte. and relations Of life,
The Senator from New Hampshire has
placed himself by his public acts in a TO.
sition 70 have his motives scrutinized
and The press would be faithless TO The
people, ifit did not hold him and his acts
high up before the bar of public opinion.
If the result of such discussion and exbi.
bition be the consignment of Mr.. Hale 10
obscurity, or the loss of public respect, he
has only to blame himself. -Pennsylyanian
Movements OF THE PRINCE OF WAIys-Tbe
Prince OF Wales continues the great obieo,
OF interest among the people of his moth.
er,s American domipions. On wednesday
at Halifax, the grand regatta in honor O
his visit took place, and passed ofin yer,
satisfactory manner. In the evening ther,
was display of fireworks The Prime,
leaves Halifax to-day for Windsor, wheno,
he will proceed to New Brunswick.
Riding on rail in the Presiden
n rof fhnV l.