The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-08-15

,e Thus, at an early day, the veteran hero ar
n statesman Of Kentucky and his champion G
le the floor of the House, clearly enunciated Il
l. great principle held this day by the Nations
n Democracy-th the question Of slavery in ii
}. Territories was TO b settled by constitutions
II enactments on their admission as States int
D the Federal Union. In the speech Of MI
i Breckinridge, on the Kansas and Nebrask
bill, delivered in the House of Representative
4 on the 22d OF March, 1854, the soundest an
9 most enlarged views are given upon the subjec
ii of territorial power Not q sentence is to b
l found 10 this speech IN conflict with the plat
e form Of the National Democracy in June, 1886
or with the speech OF Mr.. Breckenridge q
Frankfort, accepting the Office of Senat or i
3 Congress, to which he had just been elected b.
the Legislature Of Kentucky.
This speech is remarkable for its clear state
D ment of the legislation of Congress at critics
, periods of history, and its powerful analysis c
! the motives and. movements Of parties. Tn,
compromise of 1920 was simply plan of ad
justment to ward off threatened peril to ou
country. 1t abridged southern rights 1t CAV
to the North undue influence and as ~dency
Yet Mr.. breckenridge showed that it was re
peatedly violated by the parties under free sol
and abolition sentiment, and that in repeated
epochs OF our history--the admission of Mis-
souri-the annexation OF Texas. there had beer
exhibited on the part of the great Democratic
party Of our country fixed det rmination tt
abide by it. The great struggle came in 1850
when that compromise was trampled undel
foot by the refusal to extend the line of SO 9
30sec to the pacific, and the issue was joined be
tween those who insisted upon Congress, pro
hibiiting slavery in the Territories, and those
who demanded that the question Of slavery in
the Territories should be left to the people who
lnhabit them, subject only to the Federal
Constitution. This latter principle prevailed
1t was determined that all parties should abide
by the decisions Of the courts in the matter o
the title OF the master to his slaves in the Ter
rritories. Thus these compromise measures
1850 practically repealed the Missouri compro-
mise line and establish the principles of the
Kansas Nebraska act, and Of the platform o
the National Democracy of 1850. ..
Referring to the compromise of $780, Mr.
Breckenridge, in the speech alluded to- said
"But bv the other construction that it was
permanent policy it was indeed final set.
tlement, settlement which removes from the
federal theatre the only question that can dis
4 - n.
gress in the future nothing to do in connection
with it, except to apply the established princi-
pies as the occasions arise. No, sir; whatever
some gentlemen may say now, the people were
not guilty Of the folly imputed to them by the
opponents of this bill Their patriotic accla-
nations went up to Heaven over an act OF heal
ing craftsmanship, not over political job
They accepted those measures, not as truce
to fiction, but as bond flasting concord"
Again, speaking of the compromises of 1926
and 1850:
"1'hey the abolitionists] opposed both these
sentiments. They will adhere to neither in
good faith, but will appeal to them or reject
them as may best promote their incendia'y
purposes" "These are the
questions to be decided in good faith by those
who recognize compron ises as something more
important and durable than ordinary acts of
legislation. While for those who opposed them
both. and who spurn all settlements touching
slavery, the less that is said either Of compro-
mise or OF plighted saith the better" r
"Such was not the sense in which
that great compromise [of 1851 was accepted by
the American people, "Who
then, are the agitators? Whe are faithful to the
compromise of 1892"
In discussing the principles of the Kansas and
Nebraska bill, Mr. Breckenridge used the fol.
lowing expressions:
"The effect of the repeal, Missouri compro-
mise line, therefore, is neither to establish nor
to exclude, slavery, but to leave the future
condition ofthe Territories dependent wholly
on the action ofthe inhabitants, subject only to
such limitations as the federal Constitution may
impose" y at will be observed that
the right of the people to regulate in their own
way all their domestic institutions is lett Who'll
ly untouched except that whatever is done
must be in accordance with the Constitution
the supreme law for US all. And the rights of
property under the Constitution, as we'll as leg
sative action, is properly left to the decision OF
the federal judiciary.
"Then, sir, neither the purpose nor effect of
but its effect is to sweep away this vestage of
congressional dictaton on this subject, to allow
the free citizens OF this Union to enter ihe
common Territory with the Constitution and
the bill alone in their hands, and to remit the
decision of their rights under both to the courts
Of the country. Who can go before his consti-
tuents refusing to stand on the platform of the
Constitution? Who can make a case to them
of ratueipo IN abide the decision of the courts of
the Union"' .t S.
After discussing the relations between the
General Government and the Territories, be
sets forth the principle which should govern
and limit the power of Congress to legislate for
the Territories: l
II have already said that the Constitution
nowhere expressly grants political power over
the Territories. Let US bear in mind, then
that it can only be an implied power, to be exer
c,sed by limited government, over region the
common property Of States which created this
limited government; and thr inference is ire
stble that it must be exercised in the spirit
OF the political system out Of which this limi-
ted government springs. 1t would fellow, ifthe
power were expressly granted; but flows with
great force since it is only deriyative. What,
theu, is the spirit of the system? | answer, Hte
spirit oftle States" y y The Territories
are region Of country acquired by the common
efforts and treasure Of all the siates; they be-
long therefore to the States, for common use
and enjoyment. The citizens Of the States are
to inhabit them; and, when the population shall
be sufficient, they are to become equal mem
bers OF the Union" r, la,g ,,I .s,.l
These extracts are sufficient to show how Mr.,