The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-07-26

SluCe OU US 60luts tu6 plSAVE6U &CAS6
. OF oil that glorious beauty gave.
->>..u.%s .4. 4
Herschell v. johnson Va. squatter
ISM AND UNFRIENDLY LEGISLATION.
Many of the prominent Democrats of the
South who have espoused the doctrines and
records. OF the most of them it may be said,
their Southernism has been demoralized. Per-
haps none Of them have made a more decided
record upon the subject Of Squatterism and
unfriendly legislation than Herschell V. John
son, the Vice President candidate with Doug
las.
Mr.. johnson was in the Senate in '48 and on
the 7th Of July, made speech on the Oregon
BILL from which we make some extracts with
same opinion still:
/, MT, Johason said;
In rejecting upon this subject there occurs
to my mind a fact which is full of instruction
and warning. Who can close his eyes to the
indications that in the Empire State and in oil
New England there is an obvious tendency to
the formations of parties upon geographical
lines? We see an enthusiastic and untiring
party, rallied upon what they term the "frec-
soil' policy; and it is humiliating to know that
1t has received its recent impulse from protested
Democrats. Who is the leader of this Internal
crusade against the interests and peace Of the
South It is that arch traitor to all the pro-
fessions of his public life and the principles of
the party that has cherished him-who has re-
ceived the highest honors in the gift oil his
country, and for whom, in 1910, the Southern
Democracy sacrificed themselves. He turns
now and scorns the hand that wreathed his
brow and unfortunately there are those who
are willing to be his minions Is it not natu-
raj that such movement in such quarter
should produce some misgivings in the breasts
| Of the South? Sir, in proportion to the mag
nitude and Importance which this 'sfree soil"
faction shall assume, will be the degree of dis
trust excited at the South.
This language, intended for Martin Van Blu
rem, is, we think, very applicable to Mr. Doug
| las now.
He continued
It.remains now to consider the question in
volved in the amendment proposed by the
Senator from Mississippi. (Mr. Davs,) That
question is, whether it is the duty of Congress
to guarantee to the stakeholder, who shall re-
move with bis slaves into the Territory of the
United States. the undisputed enjoyment of
his property in them, SO long as it continues to
be Territory. Or. in other words, whether
the inhabitants of a Territory, during their Ter
ritorial condition have the right to prohibit
slavery therein.
For the purposes of this question it matters
not where the power Of legislation for the Ter
ritory resides-whether exclusively in Con-
gress, Or jointly in Congress and the inhabi-
tants or exclusively in the inhabitants of the
Territory F; the power is precisely the same
no greater in the hand Of one than the other.
In no event, can the STAKEHOLDER of the South
be excluded from settling in such Territory.
Bnt suppose that Congress have the rsght to
establish Territorial Government only, and
that then, all further government control ceas-
es can the Territorial Legislature pass an act
prohibiting slavery? Surely not For the
moment yon admit the right to organize q
Territorial Government to exist in Congress,
you admit necessarily the subordination Of the
people Of the Telritory-their dependence on
this Government for an organic law to give
them political existence.
1t is idle however,;t to discuss this, question
in this form. Forif Congress possess the pow
er to organize temporary governments, it, must
then possess the power to legislate for the Ter
ritories If they may perform the greater, they
may the less; the major includes the minor
proposition. Hence. Congress, has, in all ca
ses Since the foundation Of our Government,
reserved veto upon the legislation the Terri
torial Government ; it is absolutely necessary,
in order to restrain them from violation, of the
Constitution, and infringements of the rights Of
the States, as joint owners of the public lands.
If, therefore an.act Of the Territorial Govern
ment, prohibiting slavery, should be sent up
to Congress for approval, they wonld be boun
to withhold it, upon the ground Of its being an
act which Congress themselves could not pass
But suppose the right of legislation for the
Territory be in its inhabitants. can they pro-
hibit slavery? Surely not; and for reasons
similar to those which show that Congrss can
not.
The institution ofslavery is guaranteed by the
Constitution of the United States, and it has
the same protection thrown around 1t which
nobility, the establishment of religion; there
fore Congress would be as much bound to veto
an act Of Territorial Legislation prohibiting it
as an act violating these rights Of every either
And suppose, Mr.. President, you have tn
right to prohibit slavery in the Territories o
the United States, what high political consider
ton requires you to exercise it? All must SCI
that it cannot be effected without producing
, the Union.
Sir, these things would seem to warn th'
South that the day is not far distant, when sh,
, will be forced to stand firm upon her constitu
tional rights.
The whole history Of public feelings ant
opinion IN Free States, whether we look at III
; action of popular assemblies or proceedings Q
their legislatures or to the course of their Rep
resentatives in Congress mournfully warns th
South that she must stand upon her constitu
tional rights. trust, that when the crisi
comes. she is prepared to do it.
But repeat, the reference from all the visi
BILE indications around us evidently is that til
time has arrived when the South has no othe
alternative but to stand upon her constitution
al rights.
e But a little more than one month,ago Mi
johnson made another record for himself, whic
his position on the Douglas ticket necessaril
repudiates.
On the fourth day Of last month, after th
adjournment at Charleston, Gov. johnson, q
e chairman of the Committee on Resolution!
, drew up and presented to Convention the
. sitting in Millidgeville, to appoint delegates t
> Baltimore, the following to which we invite tn