Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-01-10
REMARKS OF MIR. DOUGLAS,
OF ILLINOIS,,

Mr. ppEsIDENT: 1t is not my inVeht'oh W 81 49,
nm I.hor.te discussion of the measures known as Ihe
T1aror;cs nor of the resolution presented ny tue
senator from Mississippi, Mr. Foote.I Al the cioSg
- The Ionq session which adopted those measures
resolved never to make announcer speech ulG w ali
nv ouestion in the halls of Congress-. regard al
discussion fthat question here as unwlse, mlschleN
Gus, and of place. Yet In the course OF '.s
bate certain points have been presented 10 inc Puoc
view in connection with my course when require HE
briefly TO respond and if in doing So am constrained
10 refer some what in detail to myself my Sotee'
speeches. and general course OF conduct "ust :.
will be attributed to spirit of egosm on my Pi,'
but to the necessity imposed upon me ny o''ei' ~
vindicate my action and character. :: .L
The senator from Texas, Mr.. Houston'J In Tue
course of his speech, took occasion 10 say ''"' -"
was the only senator holding seat upon !"is
Aoor who voted for all the measures OF compromise
That NAV be so for aught know to the contrary
But the Inference drawn from that reinarh anu t'e
distinct idea conveyed by 1t, do great lnlusuce 20 1;
and perhaps to other senators. Voteu' sT' ol d'l
the measures of the Compromise bnt one; and un-
derrake to say in regard to that one that II was wen
known to the Senate before the measure passed. ana
at the time it passed, and has oeen olShhcHy pr
claimed 10 the country since, that would nave Voteu
for the fuitiye-slave law if could have been In the
Senate at the time, and that was anxious 10 De mere
for the purpose of casting that vote. say II was
distinctly known, because had so declared In debate
pror to The passage of that acts because every sena
Tor on both sides of the chamber who conVersed WIN
me knew that | was friendly to the measure; ana
because when returned home, before my own con-
s..
tive vote upon the bill. Yet, sir the ImPulatlon has
been repeatedly made by implication on this tioor
and in express by the partisan journals, that all
those whose names are not recorded on Inc passage
of the bill lodged the question Whatever political
sins NAV at any time have committed, think L
may safely assert that no senator ever doubted my
Willingness assume the full measure or RESPONSE
bility resulting from my official position. ne doug-
ing of Notes.-The attempt TO avoid responsibilities
no part of Inv system of political tactics. And yet
sir, the special organ of the administration has on
several occasions accused me, in connexIon with the
distinguished from Michigan, with having
lodged the vote on this bill. In order to put this
accusation to rest, for all, now and forever, L
have concluded i've detailed account OF the CT
cumstancas which occasioned my absence at the time
the bill passed, although 1t may subject me 10 the
morti6cat on of exposing my private and pecunary
affairs to the public view. | had pecuniary obga-
ton, maturing in New York, for four thousand
dollars, in payment ofproperty which had purchased
in Chicago. Appretending that my public duties
with reference to these very compromise questions
might render it improper to leave the city when the
day of payment arrived made arrangement with
Mr.. Maury president the Bank of the Metropolis
arrange the matter for temporarily until my official
duties would enable TO give 1t my personal at
tention. Feeling entirely secure under this arrange
ment, thought more of it until, on the day the
debt became due, l received note from Mr.. Maury
expressing his deep regret and modification that, in
consequence of the unexpected absence OF MAORI
y of the directors of his bank that day, he was
unable to carry out the arrangement. l thus found
l
was compelled 10 90 10 New York instantly, to
suffer my to be protested, and the commercial
credit of my endorser to be greatly impaired. i'm
mediately passed around the chamber, and inquired
of several each side friendly to the fugi
tive bill whether could venture be absent three
four days for the purpose of attending to this item
of business, and l received from them the uniform
answer that the discussion would continue at least
week, and probably two weeks longer, before the
ting could begin. Relying implicitly upon this as
sufance, went from the Senate chamber directly to
the cars, and, riding all night arrived in New York
the next day. Meeting several Illinois friends there.
was enabled to meet the obligation, and avoid
protest during the three days grace allowed me by
law. While dining with these friends at the Astor
House on the day had concluded my business, one
OF them alluded to the fact that the fugitive bill had
been ordered to be engressed for third reading in
the Senate expressed my surprise, and doubted the
correctness of the statement. He then showed me
the paper containing the telegraphic announcement,
when | Immediately rose from the table, and tod my
friends that must leave for Washington that after
noon, in order be able roe for The bill IT'S final
passage the next day. will take the liberty of men
tioning the names of some of the gentlemen to whom
this announcement was made. Among them
Judge Dckey, of the northern circuit Of Illinois
Mr. McElroy, the district attorney; Mr.. Cook, the
sheriff of Cook county and, believe, Mr.. Gurnep,
the present mayor of the city of Chicago and
raj others of the respectable citizens of my
State. left New York in the five o'clock train that
afternoon, and, after riding all night my arrival
here the next day, found that the final had been
taken the day previous. / Immediately consul lied
with my colleague, now present, Mr.. Shields who
authorizes to say that he distinctly recoects The
conversation In which l expressed my deep regret
that could not have arrived here in time
the bill, and that intended then to ask of the Sem
ate permission 10 explain the cause of my absence
in reply to which my colleague suggested that such an
explanation would be entirely unnecessary, for the
reason that was we'll known 10 the Senate and the
country that was in favor of the bill, and for the
further reason that in all probability the bill would
undergo some amendment in the House of Represen.
taves. which would require it to be returned to the
Senate for concurrence, when l would have an op-
portunlty not only of speaking but of voting for the
BILL lacqulesced in this suggestion of my colleague
and tor that reason made explanation that time
A few days afterwards, as you well know, (Mr.
Shields being in the chair) and as many other sen.
aors may recollect, taken i'll, and rendered in
capable OF being in the Senate but few times du-
ring the residue of the session. | was confined to
my bed for several weeks, extending beyond the adj
Journment having been rendered cripple by sur
glcal operation one hip. So soon as was able TO
be removed, was taken home under the care and
kind attention of one of my colleagues of the House
OF Representatives. Everywhere on my route |
found the most boiserous and determined opposition
to the fugitive law but now here the excitement
so herce and terrific al Chicago, where had re.
Gently taken up my residence. There the press and
the pulpit had joined in the work of MISREPRESENTATION
and remuneration spirit of determined resistance
had been melted, and seemed to pervade the whole
community. The common council of the city, in its
othcIa capacity, had passed resolutions denouncing
the fugltive-slaVe law a violation Of the law of
God and the constitution of the United States call
Ing upon the police of the city disregard it, and
The citizens not to obey it. The next NIGHT
meeting of 1000 people assembled and in thai
meeting, IN the midst of the terrific applause il