The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1860-09-15

of slavery in the Territories, the power of
the people remained full and complete to
admit or exclude it as they pleased.
The Republicans charge that these de-
clarations are inconsistent with each other
and therefore accuse Judge D. of double
dealing. This is the staple of two-thirds
OF all their defamation. Let us see how
near they come to the truth
We have before us a speech of Senator
Benjamin. delivered in the T. S. Senate.
May >, 1896, in which the constitutional
points in reference to slavery in the Terri
tories, and the views and differences, and
agreements, of sections in reference to
them are SO clearly stated that we copy it
nearly word for word
When the Nebraska bill was presented
, in Congress. says Senator B., the Democra-
cy agreed on all the points involved except
one That one point was whether Con-
gress, the Territorial Legislature, or any
other power could exclude slavery from
the common territory. The South main
tanned it could not be excluded-the
North that it could-some by Congress it.
! self-others, like Judge Douglas and Cen
! Cass, by the action Of the Territorial lie.
/ gislature
"Disagreeing on this proposition, to what
conclusion, asks Sen. B., did we come ?
We said we would transfer to the people
Of the territory the entire power to con-
l..
tic institutions, subject only to tie Consti-
tuition; that we would not interfere with
them that they might do as they pleased
on the subject; that whatever might he
the true constitutional Goctrine,-whcther
Congress owned the power TO exclude OF
protect slavery or mott was right that
the people alone whose interests were at
fected by it should exercise it And then
we agreed that the Constitutional question
should be left 10 the decision Of the Su
preme Court
1his was the agreement Congress
should in no event iuter!erc-the people
should in any event do as they pleased
only. if the Supreme Court dec.ted thai
slavery could in no way be excluded from
the common territory such decision would
, necessarily nullify any territorial laws ex
, Guiding the institution; but that was {
matter between the territories and tn,
, Court-Cou2ress would in any and ever.
! event keep hand. OFT
This was the agreement " ell, has thu
, supreme Court decided the point involved
hey have said that Congress has no pow
p, er to lrgislate on the subject, and that j
all The question as 10 the power Of th'
Territories themselves 10 admit or exclude
:. slavery remains untouched This Is wha
Heischel V Johnson. Alex IL Stevens
Reverdy Johnson-ail the leading CnioI
Democrats north and south maintain =
There was no point Kissed in the Dire
= Scott case that could possibly involve tn
qucs,ion-the Court therefore, decide
{ aud could decide nothing about it
4 Here then the Democracy stand. Unit
e the Supreme Court decide otherwise. 8"
. hold that the power OF the Territorial L.
.i-lature- 10 exclude slavery IS full an'
- complete If the Court ever decide tina
point against ~, nevertheless the Democ
It racy stand pledged TO L.: the Teriitorie
r still control the question hy untriendiy IL
gi~laiion. or non legislation. and Congress
must keep hands oil