Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-04-26
DougIass on the ministry.

Judge Douglass concludes his letter to the Chi
cago Ministers, who "resolved" against his treat
ment Of the "divine right" to inprecate the wrath
Of Almighty God on the Senators who voted for
the Nebraska bill, as follows:
Thus, you see that the principle ofthe Nebras-
ka bill is purely question of self-government,
involving the right and capacity Of the people to
make their own laws and manage their own local
and domestic concerns. This is the only con-
troverted principle involved in the bill ] am un-
willing to believe that upon mature reflection,
and with all the advantages which your Christian
character and experience may enable you to sum-
mon to your assistance, you will sanction the de-
claration that proposition to carry this principle
into effect, is ga great moral wrong, exposing US
to the righteous judgments Of the Almighty"
1t is the principle upon which the Thirteen Col
onies separated from the imperial government
II is the principle in defence of which the battles Of
the Revolution were fought. 1t is the principle to
which all our free institutions owe their existence
and upon which our entire republican system
rests. This great principle is recognized and af-
frmed in the Constitution and bill of rights Of ev-
cry State in this union, rs the cornerstone in the
temple of our liberties. 1t was under the opera
ton of this principle that slavery retired from the
New England States. 1t was in obedience to its
potential influence that slavery disappeared from
New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. :. 1t
was by virtue of this principle that California
came into the Union with her free constItu-
ton. II is in obedience TO this principle that
slavery is excluded from all the free States of
this Union and trust that, whenever, in Gods
providence, it shall cease in the States where it
now exists, it may cease under the operation of
this principle and NONE OTHER!
In conclusion, reverend gentlemen, permit me
to say to you, in all kindness and sincerity, that
it is with extreme reluctance that ! submit this
vindicatiop of my character and position against
the assaults which, conceive, you have SO un-
Justly made upon them. My respect for your ho-
ly calling would induce me to submit, in silence
even to an unmerited rebuke, in preference to en-
gaging in a controversy with ministers of the
Gospel, in any case where duty did not impel me
to speak. The acts for which you have arragn-
ed me, were part Of my official duty, in the per-
formance Of high public trust, for which am
responsible to my State, to the Constitution, and
to my God. The principles which it has been my
aim to carry into effect and for the support of
which have incurred your displeasure, is the one
to which all The institutions Of my State, and of
each other State of this Confederacy, owe their
and for the protection and preservation
Of which the Constitution Of the United States
was formed. With my conscientious convictions
of the nature of the trust confded to my hands |
cannot doubt fidelity to that principle, and fidelity
10 that Constitution, will carry with it tn, bles-
sings of Heaven. -