North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-12-31
IIJDGE DOUGLAS.

JUDGE DOUGLAS.
1,dgs DoupIas took occasion, in the Senate on the
o9d instant, to make some explanations in relation to
bis course on the compromise and especially the
fueitve-slave law. We quote as follows from the
Washington Republic:
"Mr, Douglas explained the reasons of his absence
from the Senate the occasion OF the vote upon .o
massage of the Fugitive-slave law. He had Pc
cunary obligation of about $4,000 for some PIoPo,y;
purchased by him, to meet in New Y ork' IT, NJ
not we'll leave the Senate, and hao caneu WPtaI;
Many the president of the Bank OF the H1eHoPls'
au "e ID noade arrangements with him to have
the matter tenn porarily settled. he tnougnt II was
So: and on the very day the obligation Tell due ne
sos;ved note from Mr. Maury stating that, owing
80 the sbsence of several of the board of directors
he could not make the arrangements. He mentioned
IN several Senators the matter, and they expected and
said the debate would last several days longer. He
left that night for New York, and reached there
morning. During the three days grace allowed him
he arranged the business. While dining that day at
the Astor House he was shown a statement in the
aner that the fugive-save law had beeu ordered to
third reading. He expressed his desire vote for
the BILL and, bidding his friends farewell, left by the
afternoon train for Washington, in the hope of reach
ing here in time to vote on the final passage of the
Hill, The bill, however, had been voted on finally
the day preceding. He mentioned the circumstances
at the time to his colleague.
Mr.. Douglas explained his whole course on this
bill He would have voted for it, and had so ex-
messed himself repeatedly. He explained his course
reviewed his course the several Compromise acts.
he said he regretted the introduction of this resolu
ton. He thought the friends of the Compromise
ought have left it for the abolitionists to have
moved in the matter. Let them redeem their pledge
to introduce measure for the repeal of the Fugitive
slave law, and he would move to lay it on the table !;
and he sure the motion would be carried by four
to one of the northern Senators"
The Washington Republic of the 9th, thus noti-
ces these remarks of Judge Douglas:
no tai hu yub
in reply to observation of Gen. Houston, felt called
upon define his position. Tie General had stated
in his speech of the day previous that he the only
Senator who had voted for all the measures of the
Compromise. Mr.. Douglas considered this remark
as calculated to convey an erroneous impression in
regard to his own position. He had voted for oil the
measures of adjustment excepting the fugitiveslave
law, and he proceeded to state at some length the
circumstances whichsha prevented him from giving
his vote in favor Of that law. The honorable Sena-
tor suggested that he had been charged with lodging
this by his political opponents and that journal
in this city friendly to the Administration had given
color to this allegation. We infer that the journal
alluded to the Republic, and we desire to take
this occasion to do entire justice to the honorable
Senator from Illinois. The fact of the Senator's
omission to vote this occasion might well enough
be reserved for topic of comment and censure at
some future time but We have disposition to take
unfair advantage ofan opponent and are incapable
of pressing any argument against our own conviction.
II is true that have mentioned, in or two in
stances, that Mr.. Douglas did not vote on the final
passage of the Fugitiveslave BILL and have left the
public to draw their own inference from the fact.
Unexplained, it wore the appearance of dodge; and
it was for the friends of Mr.. Douglas, for Mr..
Douglas himself to explain this unfortunate appear
ance. We think that Mr.. Douglas succeeded, yes
erday in making perfectly satisfactory explanation.
In view of his anecedens in this regard and of his
speech at Chicago after the passage Of the act,
think that he has demonstrated that he had no de-
sire to conceal his sentiments the subject, but has
always pursued open and manly policy. If we
have sometimes conveyed by the naked statement of
the fact different impression, in the absence of any
authoritative explanation, we have done the honora-
bic Senator Intentional injustice, because think
it his duty to the unfavorable impression
by positive and distinct statement of the crcum-
stances. Now that the statement is made, and made
satisfactorily, cannot be unjust to the honora-
ole Senator or to ourself to withhold the admis-
sion that we believe Senator Douglas in favor of
the bill, anxious record his vote for it, and
prevented from doing so BY circumstances beyond
his CONTROL
The foregoing extracts from the Republic-the
political and personal organ of the Prosdeutare of
an important nature. They.may be of use on some
occasion or other, and therefore advise friends
to lay them aside for future reference.
We shall publish the remarks of Judge Douglas al
length, as soon as they come to hand.