The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-09-20


Now, sir, what is the precise cOndi-
ton in which this matter is left by the
Cincinnati Convention? I do not de-
sign to trespass many moments on the
Senate; but allow me to read and offer
very few comments upon some pOr-
tiOns Of the Democratic platform. The
first resolution that treats upon the sub
ject is in these words-I read Just so
much Of it as is applicable to my pres
ent remarks:
"That Congress has no power under
the Constitution to interfere with or
control the domestic institutions Of the
several States, and that all such States
are the sole and proper judges Of every
thing appertaining to their own affairs
not prohibited by the Constitution
take it that this language, thus far,
is language which meets a willing and
ready response from every Senator here
certainly it does from me. But in the
following resolution I fnd these words:
"ReS0Lvsd, That the foregoing propo-
sition covers, and was intended to EN-
brace, the whole subject of slavery agi-
tation in Congress.
The first resolution which / read was
adopted years ago in Democratic Con-
ventons The second resolution which
l read was adopted in subsequent years,
when a different state Of things had
arisen, and it became necessary to apply
an abstract proposition relating to the
States to the Territories. Hence the
adoption Of the language contained in
the second resolution which have read.
Now, sir, l deny the position thus as
sumed by the Cincinnati Convention
In the language of the Senator from
Kentucky, Mr. CRITTENDEN, ! so ably
and so appropriately used, on Tuesday
last, l hold that the entire and unquali-
fed sovereignty Of the Territories is in
Congress. That is my judgment; but
this resolution brings the Territories
precisely within the same limitations
which are applied to the States in the
resolution which l first read, The two
taken together deny to Congress any
power Of legislation in the Territories
Follow on, and let us see what re,
mains. Adopted as a part Of the pres
ent platform, and as necessary TO a new
state Of things, and to meet an emer
gencynow existing, the Convention says
"The American Democracy recognize,
and adopt the principles contained il
the organic laws establishing the Terri
tories of Kansas aud Nebraska, as en-
bodying the only sound and safe sou
ton Of the slavery question, upon which
the great national idea Of the people of
this whole country can repose, in III
determined conservatism Of the Union
non-interierence by Congress with slave
ry in States aud Territories.
Then follows the last resolution:
"ResolUed, That we recognize the righ
Of the people Of all the Territories, ia
cluding Kansas and Nebraska, actin,
, through the fairly-expressed will of th
, majority Of actual residents, and when
B ever the number of their iuhabitant
] justides it, to form a Constitution, witt
{ or without domestic slavery, aud be ad
{ mittod into the Union upon terms O.
D perfect equality with the other States.
Take all these resolutions together
3 and the deduction which we must neces
b sarily draw from them is a denial {
b Congress Of any power whatever to leg