Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-04-05
THE REPUBLICAN.
Progress of the Campaign
in Indiana.
Rnsifica,ion Meeting at Terre Hautc.
Speech Of Hon. Oliver p. Morton.

speech OIL Hon. O1Vef II MVftOn'
The Republicans held ratification meeting at
Terre Hautc on Saturday, the 10Th uit-, which was
largely attended, and passed off with good deal
of spirit Lane ard Morton made speeches The
Cincinnati Gazette gives the following verbatim
report Of Judge Morton's remarks.
roruLaR SOVEREIGNTY.
Popular Sovereignty, as defined by its most dis
tincuishct teacher. is the right of people of Ter
ri,orv to form and regulate their domestic institu
tions in their own way; or in other words, 1t is the
absolute right of selfgov ernmcnt in the people of
a Territory II this ight exists il Is an inherent
right; it is not derived from any clause of Con-
sttution of the United States nor Is it contended
by its most ardent supporters that It is so derived
If the people Of Territory have the right Of self
government they have equally the right to choose
their form of government, also to orginizc and in
augurate it. They have not only the right to elect
their Legislature, but TO elect their Governor,
Judges and officers ofState, and Congress has no
power to provide for them form OF government,
through the medium Of the Nebraska BILL or other
wise Thus il will be that the Terr,' ores. in
stead Of being made del endin les of the Cen
era Government in state of pupiiage AMI prcpar-
alton for final admission into the Union as States.
and for the endowment fequal rights and privileges
viii, the other States would be absolute and indie
pendcnt sovereicnties, outside of the Union. The
Constitution Of the United States Iorbids any State
to enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation,
10 make anything but gold and silver coin tender
in payment of debts to pass any law impairing the
obligation of contracts, to lay any mpost or duties
on exports, except what may be- necessary for exc
cutting inspection laws. TO grant letters of mark and
reprisal. But the Territories would have power To
do all these things, for the Constitutional prohibit
ton extends only to Sqtes. and il would require a
- av.~,Ix-
to the Territories Itseems to be conceded, the
oretcally least, that the Constitution should be
strictly construed; and the Constitution says that
no State shall do these things. Besides, il provides
expressly that "the powers not delegated to Con-
gress prohibited 10y it to the States, are reserv-
ed To the States respectively or to the people y
The Constitution of tie United States was made
FOR the Union and appl in its terms to the States
in the Union. Ii was not intended to apply to AM
provide for two classes OF States, one in the Union
and the other ou,. Such form of Government
would indeed b. complex and anomalous. This
view OF the Constitution was conceded by all par
ties to be correct in 1922. in the passage of the Mis-
souri, Compromise. Ii being admitted that the
clause of the Constitution providing for the recap
ture OF fugitive slaves did not extend to Terrific
rics but WAS applicable only to States, and that IN
| the absence OF an act OF Congress, providing for
such rccapture in the Territories the master would
have no such right. Mr. Benton, IN his great es-
say reviewing the Drej Scott decision. enters into
all elaborate argument and overwhelming citation
ofop;nions and authorities, showing that the Con
-aituton, in its prohibitions is applicable not to
Territories but to States. But five adopt tl.e 9th
er view of the Constitution that vieS which recev
ed the sanction of all parties, all Congresses, all
State Legislatures and all Courts, for more than
fifty years fr m IFS adoption, these difficulties ant
absurdties wilfbe swept away That view regard
ed the Territories dependencies, community:
lin state of minority, to be governed, rsined an,
prepared for admission into the Union States
The power of the Federal Government to control
the Territories may be successfully derived from
two socurces. First, rs an inevitable incident o.
the right acquire territory This principle is sc
simple and familiar as scarcely 10 require illustra
ton. The power to acquire without the power to
govern. whether in individuals governments
woullbe most barren and Improbable. Secondly
from that clau-e OF the Constitution which provides
that 'Congress shall have power to dispose of ant
make all needful rules and regulations respecting
the territory and other property Of the Unitet
States" This clause, manifestly regarding tho
! Territories as dependencies, and not IA states OF
sovereignties. confcrs upon Congress plenary pow
er to IN IKE all nccdtul rules AMI regulations for
their government
We want no new views Of the Constitution H.
construction settled by the first Congress. am
acguicsccd ia by all the courts and every depart
ment Of government for more than half a centu
~. That construction is in harmony with the plaiI
reading OF the instrument IL regards the Terri
tories the children OF the Union To he trained u
the nurture and admonition of free and benign in
siitut ons. that when they have arrived at thu
age of minority, they will be qualified to t'ke thei
place in the family of States. ami be admitted I,
all the privileges and advantages of the Unon am
rs these Territories are to become our future part
ners in the Union, and ia the administration Of gov
ernment, we have deep interest in the formation
u. their characters and national habits.