The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-01-27
THRRIT1RIlL SOVEREIGNTY.

enuncIated in the Cincinnati Platform, means
the mower Of the people of the Territories TO /
control their own affairs, and mould THEN own
institutions, sin their own way" subject only !
TO the Constitution of the United States. This
point is undisputed. There can be no question
about it. But there seems 10 be some differ
ence of opinion between leading Democrats as
to whether the Constitution prohibits the people
Of the Territories from deciding the question
whether, or not, negro slavery shall exist
within the Territory. Il is not disputed by
either side tina, the people fthe Territory have
lhs right to determine this question for them
selves when they come to form their constitu-
ton, preparatory to their admission into the
Union as State. Neither is it contended bYs
either party that slaves cannot lawfully be
taken into the Territories and held there as
property. The difference, however, consists
ID this, that Senator Douglas and those who CO.
incide with him, maintain that though She
Shareholder may take his slaves into the
Territories, be can hold them there only at the
will of the Territorial Legislature, which by
Indirect, unfriendly enactments, or by positive
prohibition, can exclude slavery from the
Territory whilst, on the other hand, Presi-
dent BUCHANAN and, we may safely say, the
great mass of the Democrats, hold that the
Territories, being the common property of all
the States, purchased equally by the blood and
-lal.- = I, ! F,I
alike to emigrants from all the States, Who have
the right to take with them into the Territories
and own and enjoy there, whateveEis 1ecogni-
zed as property in any of the States. and that
the question of slavery can be decided only.
when the people form their constitution with
the view to ask admission INTO :he Union
Hence, it will be perceived, that the only practi
cal difference between the disagreeing parties,
is az TO the tame Dhen the people of the Terrific
ries hare the power to decide the SiaUery ques-
lion. Senator Douglas takes the position that
the people of the Territories, through their
representatives in The Legislature, can at any
time abolish slavery. President Buchanan
declares that this can only be done when the
people of the Territories come to form their
State Government, in as much as the Supreme
Court OF the United States has decided that
negro slavery exists in the Territories so long
as they remain such, by virtue of the Constitu-
ton. Wehave thus particularly and careful
lY stated the difference between Douglas and
the President, not that we intend 10 argue the
point at issue, but because it may be made a
bone OF contention before the coming State
Convention, and because we desire our readers
clearly and fully TO understand it. The whole
slavery question is an abstraction, and cannot
be made olany practical benefit to the country,
though it may do infinite damage, and whilst
we agree entirely with the views of the Presl-
dent on The subject of Territorial Sovereignty,
and shall look 70 the State Convention for a
hearty endorsement OF the National Adminisira-
ton, We believe, at the same time, lha. there
need be no controversy in that body on the
present disagreement between Senator Douglas
and President Buchanan. Our opinion is that
tbe Convention should dispose Of The subject OF
they are the common domain Of all the States,
and that whatever is property by law IN any
of The States, may be taken, held and enjoyed
there by the owner, and If any of the rights
OF property shall, according 10 the judg-
gent of the proper tribunql, be in any way
iriraeted, or annulled, it Is The duty OF the
General Government TO see that such rights be
restored and protected. This would make the
whole subject OF slavery in the Territories a
question for the Courts, and would take it alto
getheT out of the arena of politics. Under our
construction Of the decision in the Dred Scott
case, it would not be necessary to bring this
subject again before The Judiciary. We believe
that that decision IS conclusive in favor OF Mr..
Buchanan, and that uader it shareholders are
guaranteed the right ta-hold their property in
the Territories ullil State Constitution pro-
hibits them from 50 doing. But there are those
who differ from US, alleging that the question
cf Territorial Sovereignty was not before the
Court in the Dred Scott case. For this cause
and for the further reason that We believe it
will thoroughly harmonic the party, we say
1T the settlement Of this question be left to the
Courts.
-Hon.>Sa Robinson, of Fulton county,
has been appointed Revenue Commissioner for
this judicial district. Judge Robinson is well
qualified tor tie position to which he has been