Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-02-03
Political.

without being disturbed, during the ter
ritorial condition. either by Congress or
the local legislature, bat that it may be
abolished when a State Constitution
comes 10 be framed, If the people so de-
eide. THIS IS al utter perversion Of the
inherited doctrines and practice Of the
fathers Of the republic. But j. will be
seen by the following report, in the Con-
grs@ional Gl,5e, Of the colloquy between
Mr.. Gooch of Mass, and Mr. Reagan
of Texas, that some Democrats are al
ready prepared 10 take another pro-
slavery step and make smother demand
upon the forbearance Of the North:
Mr. Gooch.-Do understand the
gentleman 10 say that the people OF a
Territory, when they adopt State con-
siitution. have no right 10 exclude slavery?
| hIr. Reagan.--I will answer the gen
tleman. What 1 say IS this that the
right has been admitted by all political
parties in the country. | say that they
have the right; but that il Il reuoi,l-
ttonary right, and not right resting
upon lar or upon natural justice; and
when government comes to exercise its
sovereignty, and undertakes in its SOW
ereign capacity to destroy that right, it
departs from a great principle which
ought TO govern it always. It should pro-
tect the condition of society when the
government was formed, and should pro-
tect all the property Of the people which
form that government, destroying none Of
liz.
Dir. Gooch.-I ask the gentleman not
for the opinion Of parties, because desire
to understand him. understood him to
say that. in his judgment, it was the ex-
ercise of power which ought not to be
used and now wish him to state dis
rincily whether he considers it in accor-
dance with the Constitution of the United
States for the people Of State, when
they adopt their constitution, to exclude
slavery, or whether he regards it as a
violation Of the Constitution?
Dir. Reagan. Il will answer the gen
tleman that the Constitution Of the United
States does not undertake to control the
States in regard to their domestic insii-
buttons and in that sense | would not
assume, and do not assume, that the Con
stitution Of the United States has any
thing to do in forbiddIng States, in their
sovereign capacity, to abolish slavery
only mean to say this; that while they
may exercise that right under the Consti-
tuition of the United States, without der
|0gation to any of lis provisions, they have
to do it upon a revolutionary principle, q
principle Whtcd looks to tie destruction
Of property and that this is against thai
spirit Of common justice and common
right which ought to animate the action
of every people in the formation and con.
duct OF their government, that Of pre-,
serving the rights and property of all the
people within their limits,
Mr.. Gooch.-The gentleman will per
nit me. ] understand him 10 say tina
/ the exercise of that right is in yiolatio,
the common principles ofjastice. An
right7
Mr.. Reagan Yes, SIR"
The new demand in behalf of SLAYER,
propagandism here Swallowed forth
which, if allowed, would make all on
Territories slave States in time-is
very natural advance upon the position
now occupied by DIR. Buchanan and hi
Southern supporters; and, Judging from
the past, there is far more reason to be
ieve that the leaders of the Democrac'
will come up TO Mr.. Reagan's position
than that they will remain where the
are. Should they do so, what will tn
. Democracy Of the North do? Wha
they are expected to do, Is quite appar
, ent from another brief coloquy in tn
House on Monday, in which the lurkin
sarcasm is sa lily " founded on fact" q
follows:
" Mr.. Hatton of Tennessee wanted t
know if Mr. Underwoods Northwestern
Democratic friends were willing to vot
for the protection Of slarery IN the re,
rstories IN the form Of a statute?
Mr.. wood (Democrat) {
Georgia, did not doubt that hey toere. 70
The reason that the President said 50. an
The Northern Democracy hare neUe
failed to give the people Of the South a
the rights they were entitled to under tn
Constitution. (Applause)."
IS Speaking of Southern Presidents
/. aspirants, the Charleston Mercury say
: there are "some twenty Richmonds
81. g. III -.