Washington sentinel., 1854-06-07
From the New York Herald.
Senator Dougias's Spec CHI 70 the People in
H., New York NW M

IL Sa Ii i
The Young Mems Democratic Union Club
serenaded Senator Douglas, on Saturday even
ing, at the ST. Nicholas Hotel, where he is now
stopping. Al an early hourin the evening the
report Of the intended serenade was runored
about the city, and at III O'Clock large COM
pany of citizens were gathered in front of the
hotel, waiting to see the Senator. A little after
midnight, Dodworth's brass band, numbering
thirty pieces, arrived upon the grouad under
the escort of the Union Club, and opened with
Hail Columbia" played in admirable style.
Following. this was played the Overture to
Stradella,J and the Camp Quickstep,p and at
the close OF each performance, the cheering and
calls for " Douglas" Douglas. were vocifer-
Gus. When the third piece was finished, John
Cochrane, President Of the Union Club, con-
Quoted Mr.. Douglas to the balcony of the hotel
and introduced him to the company below, now
numbering about two thousand He was re-
ceived with nine hearty cheers, for which he
! gracefully bowed his Acknowledgements. When
silence had been gained, Mr.. CocHRANE ad
dressed the Senator as follows:
Senator Donglas-The Democratic Young Mems
Union Club are proud on this occasion to tender 10
you, through me, the expression Of their high es-
leem for YOURSELF and of their appreciation Of
Your great services 10 the country. They have
observed with interest your course in defending
the great principle Of popular sovereignty in the
NebraskabilI (Applause.) The democratic young
men OF the city and county OF New York look
upon you as the successful champion Of this prn
ciple, and however much they may regret The
popular excitement which in some localities has
attended the triumph OF this principle, they know
and feel that the people will support you, and that
they hayeapproved of your patriotic course We
tender TO you this expression Of our high esteem
and respect. 9V,aI at# A .-9 $40
i To this brief address Senator Douglas responded
as folows:-- ta fhs@ t0. sfs fAFt
Gsntlemen--I am very grateful for this demon.
stration which you have made, of your esteem,
regard and confidence. ftttAS t
i A VolcE-We are sorry there are not more
here, Judge.
Mr.. DouGLAs-I must admit to you frankly that
| think the gentleman (Mr. Cochrane) who has
been your organ upon this occasion, has done me
more than justice for my efforts 10 carry out the
great principles we have at heart. / have en-
deavored 10 perform what / conceived TO be my
i duty frarlessly and without regard TO conse-
quences 50 far as was personally concerned
ana II What have done meets your approval,
am well rewarded for my endeavors; It is all /
desire, and next TO the approval Of my own con-
science, prize il most highly. (Cheers) AS much
as the Nebraska bill has been assailed and misrep-,
resented, and as little as it was correctly under
stood IN the outset, have never for moment
doubted that il would receive The approval Of
the American people, when It's principles were
| thoroughly known and appreciated, So long as
we may exist under popular government, SO
long as we shal! recognise the principle that the
people are capable of selEgovernment so long is
II right TO carry that principle into effect through
out the length and breadth of the Union. (Ap-
pause) ! need not remind you that the great
feature Of the Nebraska bill is simply The admis-
sion Of the right of the people Of a TERRITORY 10
! decidehtor themselves what kind Of laws and in
stitutons they will live under. If that principle
/ is wise in New York, is il not just as wise in
Nebraska? ses E III F1r1e (
! "A VOICE No. sir h
/ Mr. II ba
should il not be extended to Kansas (Cheers.)
| The right OF the people to govern themselves
and TO determine the character of their local in
/ stltutons, according 10 their own judgment and
the dictates OF iher own consciences, is the great
principle for which our fathers fought. Renewed
| cheers) The issue then was, whether a British
Parliament should be allowed to regulate and in
terfere with our local affairs in the colonies; and
because that principle was violated our revou-
tonary fathers separated from the TYRANNY that
threatened TO opprcss them Shall we now per
init that principle 10 the successful vindcation of
which we owe our libertes-the principle that
stands at the foundation of the Nebraska bill
| against which all this excitement has been raised
and IN support of which put forth all my en-
ergy--sha we permit this principle to be violat-
/ ed (Appiause) This is the issue upon which
intend TO stand before the American people, and
and to meet either their approval or disapproval.
4 (Renewed applause) When thus prncipie shall
be carried into effect you will hear of no further
! excitement upon the question Of slavery. Once
IN New York you had slavery it is true but you
abolished 1t yourselves you did't ask an act of
Congress, neither did you look for assistance from,
others, but you acted independent OF all outside
/ influence. Now, IF New. York had a right to do
that for herself, why should not Nebraska, Cali.
fornia. New Mexico, Utah, and all the Territories
and states, be allowed the exercise of the same
right. Equality among the States is the cardinal
principle of our--ssls a;a
A VoIcE.-Three cheers for Benton.
Here small portion efithe crowd responded,
1 but the attempt was rather feeble s.a 5s
i "A VolcE.--What about the Missouri ccmpro-
4 misea stge3 81 l.ilFf9iI5
i Mr.. DouGLAs.-I hear an abolitionist across the
/ way asking about the Missouri compromise.
4 Now, have been accustomed 10 this kind OF tac-
i tics before When l was in the Senate explain
/ Ing The principles of the Nebraska bill and when
its enemies found themselves unable TO answer
j me, they raised the cry of" Missouri compro-
mise, 2 which was nothing more than a restriction
| uponthe right ofthe people TO govern themselves
The Nebraska bill was intended to give them the
free and unrestricted exercise of that right and
any man who is opposed TO II is opposed TO the
great principle of seltgovernment. Enthusiastic
i cheering.l Let us, then, understand this ques-
4 tion distinctly. The object of the Nebraska bill
/ was 10 remove that restrictions to give eaualS
i rights to every State and Territory in the Union.
10 allow the people 10 exercise all those rights
4 which are guaranteed by the Constitution.
i [Cheers.l find that the Nebraska bill is growing
IN the popular favor as 1t is becoming more thor
4 w,
though they opposed il at first, that they are now
willing to acquiesce in it; and If they are, letus
/, take them at their word, but let first under
/ stand what they mean acquiescence. Ii is not
sufficient that they shall not seek to disturb Ne
braska and Kansas; but heymust acquiesce also
in the principle, ard applyit in a time 10 come
4 when the question of the admission Of any new
State arises, whether it be Nebraska, Kansas,
Oregon, Mexico, Cuba, or the Sandwich Islands.
Enthusiastic cheering and cries of "that's it,
4 20 IT, Douglas.rI The principle for which ,va
contend is right everywhere; if it is righ; in one
part Of ,heUnied States II is right in every part
and if right now, il is right in all time to come.
Now, my fellow democrats, this is cardinal prin-
ciple in our Constilution--one that cannot be
violated with safety. ,.
The Missouri act Of 1920, which was q opposed |
10 this principle, has resulted in the most danger
Gus agitation, and so long as that restriction re-
mains, the country will be subject to agitation
Let us now say, /" here is principle clearly de
fned,n and call upon the people to rally as one
man in support of that principle. Let us Danish
forever this slavery agitation from the halls of 4