Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-18

Cincinnati platform, that during the existence
OF territorial governments the measure of re-
striction, whatever it may be, imposed by the
federal constitution on the power of the terri
torial legislatures over the subject of the do
| mestic relations, as the same has been or shall
hereafter be finally determined by the supreme
court of the United States, should be respected
| by all good citizens, and enforced with prompt
ness and fidelity by every branch of the gen.
eral government
We of the south contend that we have
right 10 go to the common territories with our
property, and that the federal constitution re-
strcts the territorial legislature from all legis-
| lative discrimination against that properly anu
! we saw the supreme court of the United States
| has decided the principle for us, ana VIII 50
| decide again if the question comes before Una.
| court The Baltimore convention adopts ana
affirms the Cincinnati platform, and declares
that according TO that PLATFORM their constltu-
tioual restrictions must he respected and en-
forced by every branch of the federal govern
ment What those constitutional restrictions
are is referred to the decision of the supreme
court created for the purpose of deciding
questions of cases arising under the constitu-
ton and laws of the United States, Judge
Douglas, in his letter of acceptance, endorses
this resolution, as well as all the others, and
thereby pledges himself to carry out in good
faith the propositions contained in it. Judge
Douglas goes a step farther in his letter OF ac
ceptance. He uses this language =
The federal union must be preserved, and
the constitution must be maintained inviolate,
i'll all its parts. Every right guaranteed by
the constitution must be protected by law, in
all cases where Legislation is necessary to its
enjoyment
Here is a clear and unmistakable declara-
ton that every right guaranteed by the consti-
tuition must the protected by law when legisla-
ton is necessary to its enjoyment If, there.
fore, the supreme court of the United States
have decided, or shall beside, that the people
of the south have right under the constitu-
ton to go to the territories, and carry with
them that which is property in their own states,
and to hold it there it there as such, then if
any legislation is necessary to its complete
enjoyment, Judge Douglas declares that such
legislation must be had. Whatever opinion
Judge Douglas may have heretofore expressed
upon the abstract question of power in the
territorial legislatures, | understand him, in
connection with the Baltimore resolutions, to
take the broad and comprehensive ground
that, whenever this judicial question shall be
finally determined by the federal courts every
department of the federal government must
enforce and carry ont the decision in good
faith and that, if he were then president of
the united OtateS, lie would use all the neces"
sary power Of his office to so enforce and carry
it out. | am, therefore, bound to conclude that,
whatever differences of opinion may exist be-
tween northern and southern democrats ON the
abstract question, practically their actions
would be the same"
There never was greater humbug in poll
tics than the doctrines of popular sovereign
ty'' according to Judge Douglas, as illustrated
by his own expositions, and by the talk of his
followers