Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-21
Wasbingtan gentinel.
From the Chicago Times, Nov. 10.
The Douglas Banquet I'm the City of Chicago


From the Chicago Times, Nov. 10.
The Douglas Banquet I'm the City of Chicago.
Pursuant 10 previous arrangements heretofore
published in this paper, some two hundred or more
gentlemen assembled in the parlors Of the Ire
mont House, in Chicago, on the evening of the
9Th insiant-the occasion being To attend The pub
lie dinner rendered, by his personal and political
friends, 10 the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas.
AT seven O'Clock the company present, preceded
by the Light Guard Band and the officers OF the
day, proceeded TO The spacious dining hall OF the
fremont House.
The following gentlemen were he officers of the
day:
Committee Of Receptions Thomas Hoyne, A.
Harvie, Isaac Cook, j. b. f. Russell, DIR. i. Nc
Wicker, IL. A, Clark, Arno Voss, Solomon L.
Sharp.
Committee 70 Receive SuJseriptions--E. B. Will
liams, b. S. Skinner, M. Gleason, Philip Comfy,
DR.. Smith, Patrick Ballngall, III. NJ Monroe, b. G.
Caufeld, Samuel Ashton
Offers of tie Day--Colonel r. j. Hamilton,
President Dr. Daniel Brainard, Major John l..
Peylon, DR. William b. Eagan, John b. Turner,
Charles OConnor, and Morgan L. Keith, Vice
Presidents.
All these gentlemen were present. The CON-
pany having taken their positions at the table, the
Rev. DIR. Smallwood invoked The blessing of Hea-
ven in an appropriate prayer.
The company then proceeded 10 discuss the
good things and substantals so bountifnlly and
excellently presented them by Messrs. Gage; and
having done full justice to themselves and the
taste of Messrs. Gage, the cloth was removed.
COL r. J. Hamilton then called The company TO
order, and read the following toasts:
l. The Constitution of the United States The
only American boundary which ought not TO be
expanded. [Air-Washington's March.
2. Franklin Pierce, President of the United
States Our present foreign relations attest the
and prosperous at home, under the guidance Of
democratic principles the republic is triumphanty
progressing In the pathway marked out by the
trainers Of the constitution.
lAir-Hail 10 the Chief
3. The memories Of Washington, Madison, and
Jefferson May the wisdom Of their teachings
never be dsregarded IDirge
4. Our distinguished guest, Stephen A. Douglas:
Massachusetts gave the Union her Webster, Ken
lucky her Clay, Seuth Carolina her Calhoun, Michi-
gan her Cass. Each Stale is proud of her illus
irious son, but can cherish with no warmer affec.
ton their great renown than Illinois wears on her
hearts the name of Douglas. The originator and
successful advocate ofthe Illinois Central railroad,
the champion of State rights and constitutional
liberty, Illinois has nobler son-the great West
no truer friend. 5s.f.
Air-See the conquerng hero comes
After the cheering with which this sentiment
was received had somewhat subsidized. the Hon. S.
A. Douglas rose. and was greeted with great ap.
plause. He said
GENTLEMEN: To say that | am profoundly i'm
pressed with the honor you have done me by this
demonstration of your confidence and regard is
but feebly TO express the deep emotions of my
heart. Among the many and oft-repeaied acts OF
kindness which have received at your hands,
through many years of public service, none has
been so grateful 10 my feelings or will leave a
more lasting impression upon my mind and hear
IL Will be treasured among the most sacred mem
ores OF my life, and, while 1 never hope 10 re.
alize The flatterng and TOO sanguine antcipations
The sentiment which has Just been received 80
enthusiastically implies, can give you the assur
ance OF an undated ZEAL and an unceasing efforl
and unyieiding fidelity 10 those great principles
which have commanded your admiration, and
which have caused you 10 make this demonstra
ton, more than from any personal regard for my.
sell, because your partially has identified me with
It's success. Regarding this demonstration, then
as an evidence of your loyalty TO the principles OF
the Constitution and the Union, and 10 the several
acts of Congress for the organization of the Ter
rhories OF Kansas and Nebraska, IL is far more
gratifying 10 me than any personal ovation what
soever- In Difference 10 the motive which has in
duced you 10 assemble around this festive board
and in obedience 10 what understand to be your
general desire, will proceed al once, at the haz
ard Of being somewhat tedious, TO give an outlins
of The argument have presented everywhere il
this State in yindication Of the provisions ane
principles of that measure, and the reasons " hcl
rendered u my Imperative duty TO urge its pas
sage through Congress find very few men who
are bold enough 10 meet the issue directly, and e
deny the correctness Of the principles upon which
NJ measure Is founded, TO wit Thai The people o.
each Stale Of his Union and each TsrYiiory aciil
Uietc TO as admission into the Union, hare fk
1Ight, aud OEgh 10 Be permitted 10 ENJOY ifs ezeT
eise, 20 form and regulate their domestic inSfaz
tfons and inter7loi matters in their s0ay sH6
Jecf only 10 The Constitution IF lte Uaaed States
While very few prepared TO deny the correct
ness OF this principle and the propriety Of its APP
plicaion, when the necessity is acknowledged Il
exist, for the organization of new Territories ant
the admission of new States, find many who ex
press serious doubts as TO the necessity and pro
priety Of the organization OF Kansas and Nebras
ka az this time. Then, let ms inquire did such ne
cessity exist ?
You all know the location Of these Territories
situated upon the immediate frontier of Missouri
Iowa, and Minnesota, stretching westward 10 Oh,
SUBMITS OF the Rocky mountains, and embracing
within their limits all the emigrant routes leading
from the Mississippi valley 10 California, and q
the Territories OF Oregon and Washington. All o
this country was by treaty and by law dedicaiet
forever TO barbarism, and secured TO the posses
sion ol savage tribes. BY the Indian intercours.
laws no white man could enter the Territories 70
settlement, trade, or transit, without mourning
penalty OF 81 900 fine and six months imprison
Inent yet, in defiance OF these pains and penal
ties for the last few years from so TO 100, 900 O
our citizens have been under the necessity o
travelling these routes, on their way 10 their new
homes IN our Pacific Possessions, exposed 10 nj
the tender mercies Of the tomshawk and the scalp
ing knile without the protection Of law, OF courts
OF governmental aulhOrliy, Tor The want OF an
other route within the limits OF our jurisdiction
Was II the wish or the interest Of Illinois, or o
the Mississippi valley, or OF any other portion o
our widespread republic, that this Indian barrie
should have remained forever prescribing limits {,
our growth and extension in that direction7 Wa
II your wish or interest that the tide Of emigration
OF civilization and Of Christianity, which has beef
long aud so steadily rolling from the East TO thu
West, should be stopped end damned up, an,
turned back by this barbarian wall! Was it.you
wish or interest that our magnificent system O
railroads--whicb, commencing al various point
on the Atlantic, and following different lines, bal
already reached The lakes and the Mississippi, an,
Is rapidly progressing TO the Mssouri--should b,
stopped there 10y an eternal barrier, without eve
crossing the Rocky mountains or connecting will
the Pacific had supposed that our interes
and hopes and destiny all required that we Shout,
extend our settlements continuously and steadil,
that direction, until the Mississippi valley ans
the Pacific were connected by States and Terri
tories, filed with intelligent and civilized people
building up towns and cities bringing into ex
istence school systems and churches, and nj
the attributes and elements Of civilization, o
Christianity, and free institutions. Applause.
Acting on this supposilioD, first brought FORWARD