itorial Government of
Louisiana was an Imperial one, founded upon a French or Spanish model.
For a time, the Governor, Judges, Legislative Council, Marshal,
Secretary, and officers of the militia, were appointed by the
President.[3]

[Footnote 3: Mr. Varnum said: "The bill provided such a Government as
had never been known in the United States." Mr. Eustis: "The
Government laid down in this bill is certainly a new thing in the
United States." Mr. Lucas: "It has been remarked, that this bill
establishes elementary principles never previously introduced in the
Government of any Territory of the United States. Granting the truth
of this observation," &c., &c. Mr. Macon: "My first objection to the
principle contained in this section is, that it establishes a species
of government unknown to the United States." Mr. Boyle: "Were the
President an angel instead of a man, I would not clothe him with this
power." Mr. G.W. Campbell: "On examining the section, it will appear
that it really establishes a complete despotism." Mr. Sloan: "Can
anything be more repugnant to the principles of just government? Can
anything be more despotic?"--_Annals of Congress_, 1803-'4.]

Besides these anomalous arrangements, the acquisition gave rise to
jealous inquiries, as to the influence it would exert in determining
the men and States that were to be "the arbiters and rulers" of the
destinies of the Union; and unconstitutional opinions, having for
their aim to promote sectional divisions, were announced and
developed. "Something," said an eminent statesman, "something has
suggested to the members of Congress the policy of acquiring
geographical majorities. This is a very direct step towards disunion,
for it must foster the geographical enmities by which alone it can be
effected. This something must be a contemplation of particular
advantages to be derived from such majorities; and is it not notorious
that they consist of nothing else but usurpations over persons and
property, by which they can regulate the internal _wealth and
prosperity of States and individuals_?"

The most dangerous of the efforts to employ a geographical political
power, to perpetuate a geographical preponderance in the Union, is to
be found in the deliberations upon the act of the 6th of March, 1820,
before cited. The attempt consisted of a proposal to exclude Missouri
from a place in the Union, unless her people would adopt a
Constitution containing a prohibition upon t