The Dred Scott Case and the Missouri Compromise

Authors

Newspaper Title

Natchez Daily Courier

Publication Date

3-14-1857

Publication Place

Natchez, Mississippi

Event Topic

Dred Scott

Political Party

American

Region

slave state

Disclaimer

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Quote

This is a seeming blow at the doctrine of squatter sovereignty, but not quite as hard a one as we could wish the Court had given.

Document Type

Article (Journal or Newsletter)

Full Text Transcription

We have already published the fact that the U S. Supreme Court had decided this much talked of case, involving the Missouri Compromise question, and pronouncing the latter unconstitutional. We find in the St. Louis Intelligencer of the 7th inst., a telegraphic synopsis of the decision, which our readers will deem interesting.

It will be seen that the Court have also decided that Congress cannot confer on a territorial legislature, power to make enactments relative to the personal property of citizens of the United States in federal territory. This is a seeming blow at the doctrine of squatter sovereignty, but not quite as hard a one as we could wish the Court had given. As Congress has no power to exclude slavery from the territory and confer freedom upon negroes, it cannot confer that power on territorial agents. The stream can rise no higher than the fountain, as a matter of course. But Gen. Cass contends that the territories have this power, not so much by donation from Congress, as by some inherent sovereignty of their own. And this inherent squatter-sovereignty, (not derivative jurisdiction,) the Court did not pass upon. The question probably did not come before the Court. The opinion, however, as to Congressional power, is full of interest and point.

Edited/Proofed by

Entered by Lloyd Benson.

Identifier

msncds570314a

Recommended Citation

"The Dred Scott Case and the Missouri Compromise" (1857). Secession Era Newspaper Editorials. 92.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/secession-editorials/all/editorials/92

Rights

This item is in the public domain, and can be used by anyone without restriction.