Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-06-12
serenade to Judge Douglas in New York.
His Sneenh

he procession count, rmarched and formed in
line in front of the hotel. Atthis time there were
probably about 1000 persons in the vicinity, and
had the weather been pleasant, the crowd would
undoubtedly have been much larger. Most of the
persons in the procession worethe badge of The En-
pire Club. Transparencies were borne with The
following inscriptions sNebraska;, 'The Peoples
Rightto Self Government 'rhe Nebraska Bill,
Constitutional Principles TriumpLant;' 'Pm offto
Nebraska;' For the Union Intact;' "a Black Line
Shall Not be Draw Across Our Country, "a Re
public the Manifest Destiny of Cubas;' The
Monroe DoctriGe;' New York Always True 10 the
Union.'
The national airs were playedby Sheltou's band
anda national salute was fred from the celebrated
played IN the balcony of the hotel. The balco-
MES and windows of the house were occupied by
spectators, many of whom were Indies. The
scene was highly inspiring one, and with the
bright smiles OF the ladies' the waving of the ban
ners, the cleaning of the transparenc.es, The nu-
sic of the band, and the prolonged cheers of tlle
crowd, most interesting series OF effects was
Produced.
AT about ha:f past eleven O'Clock, Mr.. Purdy
Introduced the Senator in the following brief re-
marks:
"Fellow- citizens, Nebraska men, Democrats: /
have the honor TO present 10 you the distinguished
senator iiom Illinois, Hon. Stephen 4. 10 gias,
and know, that in introducing him 10 you, il is
not necessary 10 bespeak for him hearty cep-
ION II is sufficient for us to know that he is
The great advocate of the Nebraska and Kansas
BllP'
Here three cheers were given for Mr.. Douglas,
mingled with the Kisses of a few abolitunists,
who had taken advantage of this opportunity 10
make themselves heard, in their own peculiar
fashion,. as 1t caused some Interruption 10 the
honorable spe aker, the obnoxious individuals were
removed IN rather summary manner. When
quiet was again restored, MI. Douglas replied as
lullows:
Fnends and fellow -citizens:-I have been told
repeatedly, pending the Nebraska bill before the
Senate:
Avoice-eThree cheers for Stephen A. Douglass
The cheers were given unanimously.
Mr.. DouGLts-I was told that when left the
capitol and retured among the people, would
hear the thundets of their voices in my ears; but
the ihnnder which was then predicted was very
different in its tone from that which we now heac
from your voices. (Cheels.) Instead of hearing
those thunders OF Indignation from an outraged
leop'e, hear voices from the Democratic masses
declaring that lhe support of this principle Wss
The great act which should ever be relnembefed.-
(Cheers.) mwell aware that this denlorsira-
lion is not 10 individually, but is sponta neous
expression OF your approval of that principle,
winch 1 have been The humble agent in bringing
forward III order thatit might b. cOme, law OF the
land; rejoice more at this demonstration of your
approval than would if 1t were intended as a
personal honor, for in this county men are oi lille
consequence when separated from principle. The
great principle oil a Tree government, such as that
lor winch we contend, will be eternal in lis opera
tloli, aud there Will be no bounds 10 il influences.
(Long aud enthusiastic cheers.) Much has been
~ VI IL SO happens lUll
the denunciation has generally proceeded from
those WHO do tot understand il, or who were de-
termlned not 10 understand it. The simple prin-
clple involved IN that question was that the peo-
pie OF the Territories oil the United States shall
be allowed TO decide for themselves what kind of
laws they would have, that they would be allowed
The same right which is granted 10 all the States in
lhe Union. (Cheers) This is not new prin-
ciple IN tins government; ii is as old sell 60
vernmentj 1t was the vindIcnton oil it that caused
the separation of this country from Great Britain
IL rs the great principle upon which the conStilu-
tion OF The United States was founded, AID which
IS included IN the bill OF rights of every State in
hIs confederacy. Is it not extraordinary, that
at this day and IL this country, men should up
IN Remuneration of this great principle, without
which n free government exist? II is no excuse to
say, that the people, If left themselves, will
pass bad lawS-iI they do, the consequences of
these bad laws must fall upon their own heads
GU are allowed 10 make whatever aws-in New
ork you please, aud If we in Illinois don't like
them, alive have 10 do is 10 keep away from their
jurisdiction and operation. In Illinois establish
Just s..ch Institutions suit us, and il you like
them, come and dwell with us, but if you disap-
prove oil them, stay away. The Nebraska bill
proposes to carry tins principle ntc all the Terri
tories OF The United States and are not the people
OF the Territories capable of deciding for them
selves as those OF other States. lf you here in
New York are competent 10 decide the slavery
question, will you be less competent when YOU
have seen Nebraska, and moved into IT? Is il
probable that emigrans from the old States will
iOSC any Vi IuelT Virtue PATRIOTISM WhI'G wln-
dering by the wayside3 Is 1t probable that when
they have arrived at their home, they will not
take as much interest in deciding this question right
as those who have never been there. (Cres
OF stGood,' "Good," "Thnrs it,'' and t.Ce:tain-
ly," in The midst of which some one was Heard
say, "All, except Greely.') As before said, this
Is the principle upon which the Nebraska bill rests;
1t is the great cardinal principle Of the Democratic
party II is the onlYone upon which that party
can stand united, and become irresistable and If
the WhEs party wish TO rival us at all, they must
adopt The same principle as the basis of their Or
ganzation. My fellow citizens, il is somewhat
curious tLat the enemies of the Nebraska bill,
while resisting the principle upon winch 1t is
founded, strive by every artice 10 conceal it f:om
view. Hence they argue that the Missouri
promise should not have been repealed, and that
the bill did not carry out The principles Of self
government.
Here Mr.. Douglas went into n brief historical
sketch oil the Missouri compromise, and Proceeded
as follows
shall come into the Union with or without slavery,
as they may think proper Hence every man who
maintains the Missouri compromise is opposed 10
The greatprtncple that allows the people TO decide
the question for themselves. The great principle
of sovereignty ofthe people underies the Nebras-
Ia bill as well as every other Territorial bill that
has ever been en1cted by Congress. There is an
elective assembly, and every officer except the
Governor and secretary, is an elective officer All
the laws Tor the regulation OF The Territory, are
originated in the Assembly. Then it seems that
the great issue in this matter, is upon the question
as 10 whether or nut The people of Nebraska shall
be allowed TO settle the question of slavery or no
slavery for themselves. The Abolitionisls will
tellyo that slavery is great moral wrong, and
shat lee people should not have the privilege of
settling 1t for themselves Now, we all acknowl-
edge that murder is great moral wrong, but in
no territorial bill has the punishment for murder
been clearly defined (Cres of good and cherrs)
Congress has never defined for any State or Terri
tory The proper punishment for any crime. That
rs mailer over which the DeOnle alone hnye i'll
rsdicti1n. The temperance men will tell you that
the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors
is necessary for the we'll being of the community,
and there are, have no doubt, many Congr.ss-