Eastern times., 1850-11-28


October, 1850.
The agitation on the subject of slavery now
going on through this broad republic presents
an extraordinary spectacle
CONGRESS, after session of nine months, has
succeeded in passing a system of measures
which are believed to be Just to all parts of the
country, and ought to be satisfactory to the
people.
In some of the southern states we find that
extra sessions of the legislature are being call
ed for the purpose of organizing systematic and
efficient measures of resistance TO the execution
of the laws of the Union, and for the adoption
of disunon as the remedy. These votes of
congress are to be forcbly resisted at the sonth,
upon the ground that they are a base surrender
to the north of all southern rights. At the
north the people are called upon TO resist them
upon the ground that they sacrifice the rights
and interests of the north, and surrender every
thing to the south.
At the south these measures are denounced
as disgraceful concession 10 tree-solIsm, for
the purpose of securing abolition votes AT the
north the same measures are denounced with
equal violence as a total abandonment of the
rights of freemen, for the purpose of concilia-
ting the slave power.
For these contradictory reasons the people at
each end of the Union are appealed to 10 resist
by violence the law uf the land and the author
ity of the federal government, even unto death
and dsunion.
The southern nullfers reppdiate the author
ity of the highest judicial tribunal on earth, be-
cause they allege it TO be plant and corrupt
instrument in the hands of northern abolition
ism. Here we are told that the same exalted
tribunal is corrupt and supple instrument IN
the hands of the slave power
Strange and irreconcIlable positions Both
cannot be true, aud / trust in God neither may
prove to be. We have fallen on evil times,
when passion and prejudice so far blind
the Judgment and deaden the consciences of
men that the truth cannot be seen and felt.
The people at one end of the Union or the
other are acting under fatal delusion upon
this subject. Should we not pause and recon-
s,der aid reflect whether 1t Is we or they that
have been so grossly deceived! 1t is my pur-
pose This evening to give candid and impartial
exposition of these measures, to the end that
the truth may be known. 1t does not become
a free people 10 rush madIy and blndly into
violence, and bloodshed and death, and disun-
ion, without first satisfying our consciences up
on whose souls the guilty consequences must
rest.
These measures, known as the compromise
scheme, are SIX in number.
l. The admission of California with her free
constitution.
,. The creation of territorial government
for Utah, leaving the people 10 regulate their
own domestic institutions.
g. The creation of a territorial government
for New Mexico, with like provisions.
A. The adjustment Of the disputed boundary
Of Texas.
5. The abolition of the slave trade in the
District of Columbia.
g. The iugitve-slave bill.
The first three of these measurcs-Califor-
MIA. Utah and New Mexico-I prepared with
my own hand, and reported from the commit
tee on Territories, as its chairman, Ill the pre-
else shape in which they now stand on the stat
ute book, with one or two unimportant amend
ments, for which | also voted. | therefore
hold myself as responsible to you, as my con
stituents, for these measures as they passed
If there Is anything wrong IN them, hold me
accountable-if there is anything of merit, give
il TO those who passed the bills. These meas
ures are predlcated on the great fundamental
principle, that every people ought TO possess
the right of forming and regulating their own
internal affairs and domestic Institutions In their
own way. | believe that those of our fellow
MIA, Utah or New Mexico, have lost none of
their intelligence and patriotism by the way
side. believe that, after their arrival there,
and when they have become familiar with the
country and Unidentified their interests with it,
they are fully as competent TO Judge for them
selves what kinds of laws and institutions are
best adapted TO their condition as we are, who
never saw the country and know very little
~ n tbnir In do
this is is to deny their capacity for self-govern-
ment. If they have the requisite intelligence
and honesty To be intrusted with the enactment
of laws for the government of white men,
krow of no reason why they should not be
deemed competent to legislate for the negroes.
If they are sufficiently enlightened to make laws
for the protection of life, liberty and property
of morals and education-to regulate the rela-
tion of husband and wife, of parent and child
| am not aware that Ii requires any higher de-
gree of civilization TO regulate the affairs of
master and servant. These things are all con-
fded by the constitution to each state TO decide
for itself, and | know of no reason why the
same principle should not be extended to the
territories. My votes and actions have been in
accordance with this principle in all cases, eX-
.cept the instance in which | voted under voul
instructions. That was your vote, and not mine
| do not hold myself responsible for it. / be
Iieved then, and believe now, that 1t was bet
ter for the canse of freedom of humanity O
republicanism, TO leave the people interested
TO settle all these questions for themselves
They have intellects and consciences as well a:
we, and have more interest in doing that which
is best for themselves and their posterty thar
we have, as their selfconsiituted and oliicion.
guardians. | deem it fortunate for the coun
try that the congress of the United States tooh
the same views on the subject, and passed tht
bills in the shape in which | originally report
ed them. So far as the question of slavery is
concerned, am sure that any man who vii
take the pains TO examine the history of tn,
question will come to the conclusion that ihi
is the true pelicy as well as the sound republi.
can doctrine.
Mr.. Douglas here went into historical viev
of the subject, to show that slavery had neve
been in fact excluded from one inch OF tn
American continent When the federal con
stitution ef 1887 was adopted. twelve out OF tn
thirteen states then composing the coniedera
tion held slaves, and sustained the Institute
of slavery by their laws. Since that perio
slavery has been abolished in SIX OF these tweiV
original slave states How was this elected
by the Wilmot provso! Nobody had eve
heard OF Mr.. Wilmot in those days was
done by an act of congressl No; congress
had no power over the subject, and never a
tempted TO interfere whit Slavery was abo
ished in those states by the people of each, ac
ting for themselves, and upon their own me