Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-22
The Douglas Testimonial.

The New Orleans Courier of December contains
he correspondence between the democratic commit.
leo appointed at the meeting held in that city, on the
9Iisant, and Senators Douglas, Rush, and John
son. then in New Orleans on their way to this city.
The chief honor was designed for Judge Douglas,
who was rendered public reception, and invited to
address, his political friends. In his reply to Hon.
Emile L, Sere, the chairman of the committee, Judge
Douglas regrets his inability to accept of the prefer
I'D compliment. In the course of his letter he says:
"Il is certainly fundamental principle in our re-
publican system that the people OF each State, and
each Territory preparatory to lis admission into
he Union as State, have the undeniable right 10
form and regulate their domestic institutions and inter-
nl concerns in accordance with their own views, and
ubiect to other limitation or restriction than that
which the constitution of the United States has I'M
posed upon each and all the States.
j" this principle be correct, the act Of Congress
Tor the organization OF the Territories of Kansas and
Nebraska is clear right so far as the vexei question
dShyery is invol"ei
1T is also principle in our republican syStem--
equally sacred and fundanenta--lhat it is the duly
dal men to worship God according 10 the dictates
giher own cOnsc ence and that no man should be
TOcribed either because of The place OF his religious
dh If this principle be right, it would seem to be
wrong for to form secret associations, bound tOgeh-
gby the most solemn Oath2, 10 prescribe and enforce
arlgIous test, for Office or public trust under the
United States, other than that which is authorized
ml sanctioned in the constitution"
General Rusks letter is modest and generous,
speaking warmly for his friends and nothing of him
@t lis two topics were the merits and praise OF
NnalOr Douglas for his bod and manly discharge
Of Constitutional duty" and of Senator Johnson for
bis Jealous efforts in favor of railway to the Pacific
"a project which he urges as of immense interest tC
AEanas Louisiana, and Texas and more especially
DNew Orleans
Senaor Johnson-s letter is an admirable one The
oIowmg extract shows its tone and spirit:
sympathize deeply with the feeling the dictates
oHp pubic manifestation Of respect and regard {o1
ne senator 1t was my fortune to have served with
|m upon the committee which reported the Kansas
GM Nebraska bill, and to have been familiar with
aeProviSons of the bill through every change from
Nmcepnon and with the facts, opinions, and argu
aOtS which led to its adoption IN its present form.
AS law it is nothing to the South that it is no
Inc North. All the South know this. Had II
SeO otherwise, II would not have received the sane
Won Of The distinguished senator Had the senator
aoduced a bill which excluded the people of the
Youth from the TerritOries-which violated thai
Pnt pervadng the constitution protecting aud guar
1yng the property and rights of the southern peo
le-whch outraged the principles of the Compro
l'e OF I85O--which negatiyed the right of a people
make their own laws, and establish their own
Eo'emmeut, subject only to the sensational condi.
0 hat it be republican in its foTm-then it is jus
conclude, from what we have witnessed, that thu
,'lot1r would have secured the warm approval, re
%'ed the endorsement, and excited the enthusiast
%ioton, of those who now bitterly condemn ant
aPn,le5SIY pursue him.
We are not grateful to the senator that he ha
",aoIShed for US new privilege, or solitary RICH
.o' ours heretofore by both the constitution and tn
''sSt legislation. he has not done so. He ha
.sasot to be just to us, but no more-he has bee
S S.niuI to the constitution in this that he has re
used 10 violate it,"