The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-06-28

iu their advocacy Of Squatter Soversigntv.
Here lie one in the words Of the Journal
The same local sovereiguty-ths same
right to regulate their own domestic affairs
which belongs to the States, we claim for the |
Territories. The Constitution makes no dis
tinotion, and, therefore, none can be justly |
drawn.
The Constitution was formed by the dele |
gates of the States for the people of the
States, and the Territories had nothing to do
with the matter whatever. And the Consti- |
tuition is only held to extend to the Terrific
ries when made to do so BY special act of
Congress, and only TO the extent specified in
such act. How preposterous, then, to talk
about the Constitution of tho United States
making no distinction between States and
Territories. Besides, the General Govern
ment has, from the beginning exercised au-
shority to establish Governments for the
Territories, to appointtheir executive officers
and judges, and to establish local legisla-
ture, aud limit its powers, and also to defray
all the expenses Of the Territorial Govern
ment. And Douglas famous Kansas-N
braska bill made no practical change in all
this, but simply repealed the Congressional
prohibition of Slavery that the people might
establish it il they chose.
Again, in the words of the Journal,--
The great error OF the Gate City, and of
the entire Republican party consists, as We
conceive, in the assn mption that the people
of Territory possess no rights except those
which are conferred on them by Congress.
III that be an error we submit that the
Gate City and the Republican party hold it
in common with MIR. Douglas and all the poll
ticians and statesmen OF any note that have
ever lived in this country.
Mr.. Douglas, in his speech of the 23d of
February, 1859, in reply 60 question, said;
sq will answer the Senator's question:
First do not hold that squatter sovereignty
il superior 70 the Constitution. hold tkd
no such thing as sovereign potrer attaches
10 a Territory srhfls a Territory. | hold
that a Territory possesses whatever power IL
derives from the Constitution under the or
genie act. and no more. hold that all the
power that Territorial Legislature posses
ses il derived from the Constitution and its
amendments, under the act Of Congress; and
because | hold that, denied last year that
the people Of Territory, pithetti The con.
sent Of Congress, could assemble at Lecomp-
ton and create an organic law for that people.
denied the validity Of your Lecompton
Constitution, for the reason that constitu-
tions can only be made by sovereign power:
and because the Territory twas not a sover-
A. I'll bs,t
tition. But, sir, will not occupy time on
that question. The limit of the authority OF
Territorial Legislature is the organic act
aud the Constitution and it's amendments
The organic act provides in it's sixth section
THAT the legislative power OF the Terri
tory shall extend to all rghtful subjects OF
legislation consistent with the Constitution
of the United States and the provisions oi
this act - de.
The whole Legislative poper possessed bs
Congress over Territory Das, by that act
conferred on the Territorial LEGISLATURE -
There we're exceptions on three points bu
Slavery was not one OF the EXCEPTIONS
say, then, the intent was 10 gre 10 the Ter
r'torfdl Legislature all the pocer that 10
possessed; all that could be given under til
Constitutions; and The understanding tca
that Congress would notinterfere with what
ever legislation they might enact
We haze itahcised the phrases to whic
we would direct special attention. There j
Stephen A. Douglas reputation of an
such sqnatter sovereignty, obope the Consti
tuition or under the Constitution as is claim
ed BY his disciples here. lie says dstinctl
that Congress ''conferred7 the power of leq
islation on the Territories; that the inten, {
his ball was ''to give to the Territorial Les
isiature" the power that Congress possesse
under the Constitution.
Now, we concur with Douglas, or DougIt
agrees With the Republican party in tn
statement-that the Territory possesses 4
legislative power except such as is confcrr,
BY Congress. And we differ only in thu
.set sc desire .aas Congress-, bile grantir
ample powers to the Territories, such as 10 y
enjoyed, for instance, shall retain it's POW
TO prohibit Slavery, PoIygamy and such iii
evils, in order that they may not, BY the co
sent OF Mormon settlers, or the machinatio
OF shareholders, be established to the gre
deIriment OF the welfare of the people.
Douglas, In order TO get rid Of q troubl
some question to Looofoco politicians, won
have Congress confer the power TO deei
upon Slavery upon the Territorial Legisl
tnre 10 perfect indifference whether "Slaye
10 voted up, or voted down.
G. Dickinson of y. York goes for Bree
enridge and Lane. So says corresponds
OF the Mo. Republican.