Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1858 — POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY. [ARTICLE]

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.

For the Rensselaer Gazette

Mr. Editor: —l see in the lust Expositor an article upon the subject ot Popular Sovereignty writen evidently by a young man 1 who has for some time been trying, but very much against his conscience, to be an OldLine Lecompton Democrat. It appears that he would try to smooth some of the rough places to make the road passable to the ten- 1 der-footed Democracy, or he would sugarcoat the naueous pill, that he may be able to-swallow it himself. Listen to what he says: “The Democracy have uniformly advocated this doctrine, and to-day it is the most cherished jewel that je.ms the bright galaxy of its achievements.” Well, well, chiid, don’t you know any better! Or would you try to deceive some of your poor, simple brethren! Don’t you know that the Dred Scott decision abrogates ■ Popular Sovereignty, and that the JJremo-* cratic party indorse that decision. That the President, in his special message, says that slavery ,by.vittue of the constitution of the United ' States, exists as much this day in Kansas as it does in Georgia or SofttlMJarolina; and that the people have no potver to j prohibit slavery until they become a State? j Then where is your bright “jewel” of Popular Sovereignty, or Squatter Sovereignty, as you -used to call it! You indorse the Dred Scott decision and Squatter Sovereignty at the same time—they will not amalgamate any more tiian the elements of fire and water. Where the one exists the otiier can not. Again, he says that “the Republican party assembled at Philadelphia and announced the strange doctrine of Congressional Sovereignty.” Well, now, was not it a strange doctrine that Congress had the power to regulate and govern the Territories belonging to the General Government! lias not Congress passed laws for the regulation and government of the Territories ever since the organization of the Federal Government, and even went so far as to sell some of the Territories and buy again! Has not Jefferson, Monroe, Webster and Clay indorsed this same doctrine by their vote as well as by their words and writings! Yes, are there not some of the lesser lights of Democracy of thq present that do not regard this a strange doctrine! John Pettit, I believe, in the Senate of the United States, said that the power of Congress to legislate for the Territories was indisputable; that the authorities in favor of it could be piled mountain high. Jesse D. Bright, I believe, says as to the power ol Congress to legislate fur the Territories, tie lias never entertained u doubt. And, now, my young friend, I think if you will pay more attention to Blackstdne and less to politics, and be honest about it, it will not be lung until you will be of the same opinion. If you will pay more attention to the political history of your country you will not make so many blunders, and it may lead you to discover your errors and place you upon the platform of an tincorrupted party. Veritas.