Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-26
COMMUNICATIONS.
The TerriloIies.-No. II.


The discussion of the subject Of the right of set
tiers i'll the Territories to decide question which
by its nature and origin is a purely national one,
cannot be confined to the merely abstract proposition
of the right Of the people to selfg0vernment. The
abstract as well as the practical rights of the people
Of the United States TO form their governments Is
not only admitted but dictated by the Constitution
Of the Federal Government, and by all the Consti-
tuuons Of all the States,-so that the abstract
proposition Of NJ DOUGLAs is not only met but set.
tied by these charters. 1t is not disputed as an alb
straction bat tits no more than an abstraction as
stated by Mr. DouGLAs 1t is the leading and promi-
nent feature IN our system Of government but as
right it is limited soon as the government is set
up. Our right to govern ourselves is transferred
to agents and officers, and we are bound bv all !
the limitations and restrictions which we chose to I
impose upon ourselves in our organic laws. To As
sert any further rights privileges than those |
which we have retained under our laws is to do
away with our own works, is to declare ourselves
in constant STATE Of revolution and not only alb
stract but the most practical anarchy
The Illustrations of this can be seen in any mob
law demonstration. II is Illustrated by the practical
application of it in any Territory. As a naked propo-
sition withbutreerence any constitution the peo-
pie of an organized Territory have the right exclude
slavery from the Territory Uhder this assumption
the law is lassed. 1t is based upon an undisputed
abstract proposition that the right to pass this law
| is Inherent in the people Of the Territory. The
right of self-government is the primal theoretical
| idea on which we proceeded to form our govern
ment eightyfve years ago, and is still acknowledged
abstractly the leading principle Would its instan-
taneous action now in the bounds of the government
lead to the subversiOn of any other great principle!
But one answer can BE- made. 1t subverts rights IN
property. equally as valuable to a free people as
any abstract or theoretical rights. But 1t does not
end here. it comes in conflict with the Supreme
Court and bids it defiance. The Court Is the su'
preme judicial arbiter in the Union. The COnsttu'
ton and laws are the basis upon which the Union
rests. The Constitution is the supreme charter OF
our liberties as well as our lawful rights and priv
Ieges we can see how in the action of the one the
rights and equality of the States and their citizens
are protected and sustained and by the preserVa
ton of the other in all their pristine exeeence We
can confidently look to a long and happy future. But
to what can we look, when Territorial edicts shall
override constitutional guarantees simply because
these edicts based on an abstrat natural right
The Territorial government is an anomaly IN ouI
system, created by necessity-that OF growth and
. expansion If this growth be confined to people
who have been citizens of the States they lose only
their privileges under their State governments by
going INTO the Territories; their rights citizens
under the Federal power, remain intact, simply be
cause they throw off the one and retain the other
acknowledging obedience to federal law, and claim
ing its protection but their political existence is II
allowance until created by the Supreme agency.
Ii Mr. DoCGIAs's doctrine be true, then this is al
done away with; the claim he asserts for the Terri
tories rises above law-it is the law making power
the laws of the general government by which eiti
, zenship is allowed are abrogateG,. every man, nj
matter where from is 4 citizen of the United States
de tqeo and de jHe because he nhabts the Terrific
~: his right is Il natural one not acquired one
The general government has right to restrain hin
from voting any than it has the power to maxi
laws for him, he is as far superior to political vas
salage as he is to a legal obedience. Expansion ther
becomes, under Mr.. DOUGLASS theory annihiadoI
to the interests the welfare and the very existence
Of the South in the Union. There might come pc
riod in the working of the Republican theory wheI
it might cease its devastations, but Mr.. DOUGIAsl
theory works on forever to the consummation o
total ruin to the political and legal equality Of III
q | Southern States an the Union.