The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-14
HE NEW LAW AND ORDER PARTY.


from the bias of party or faction"
The NEW Law AND ORDER PARTY.
It is amusing to see journals in this city
which threatened Mr.. Sumner with mob VIC
lenoe for words spoken in the Senate now
| clamorous for order and the freedom of speech
when their own leaders are the victims of pop
ular indignation. The Massachusetts, Senator
never attempted to thrust his sentiments upon
Washington audience; he merely acted in
the discharge of his public duty, in the Senate
Chamber, addressing himself to his colleagues
of that body upon the public affairs of the
country; and yet because he dared, here in
the National Capital, to utter his honest con.
victions in bold and manly language, as he had
right to do he was denounced as traitor, an
incendiary; and he was told, by the organs Of
public opinion and of the Administration, that
nothing but the great forbearancs of a Justly
incensed people could save him from personal
violence. The papers of the South generally,
of all parties, re-echoed these fierce and san.
guinary fmprecations with almost a unani-
nous voice. But how changed is their tune
when a pro-slavery man is prevented by the
clamors Of his own constituents, whom he has
misrepresented, from addressing them! The
veriest champions of Slavery and mob violence,
whose arguments with abolitionists are tar and
feathers, the whipping-pos and the gallows,
are now the most indignant indicators of free
speech. Well, we rejoice to witness this sud-
den conversion to the true principles of Free
dom, and we indulge the hope that they will
show equal alaerity in their vindication of those
principles, when they shall need it, on South
ern soil. 1t is true that our hope is faint, but
it is encouraging to find that they are begin
ming to appreciate the value of that liberty of
speaking and writing which they have so long
denied to all who doubt the divine authority of
Slavery.
The truth is that although the people Of
Chicago may, in their zeal, have gone further
than justice and fairness will warrant, they
did not deny to Mr.. Douglas the right of ad-
dressing them. They resolved that he should
not have an er parte meeting of his friends to
endorse his speeches and resolutions, and then
claim it as the endorsement of Chicago. They
simply went to the meeting resolved to vote
down the resolves of their Senator. So long
as Mr.. Douglas demeaned himself respectfully,
he was permitted to 60 on; but when he ceas-
ed to argue, and began to denounce as aboli-
ton traitors, as he did in the Senate, all who
differ from him, the patience of the audience
was exhausted, and he was Kissed and groaned
off the stage.
1t is probable that the people were not at
all times 80 respectful and so patient as they
should have been; but neither was MIR. Doug
las. It became him, and it was his duty, to
be patient, respectful, and conciliatory. But
was he so? So far from it he used the bitter
est language of political partisans. Had he
been able to command his temper, had not his
previous successes rendered him proud and
contemptuous towards the people whom he
has for years been accustomed to rule with
nod, there can be no doubt that he would
have been permitted to finish his speech. He
could not have convinced the people, but would
have been listened to.
But such course was next to impossible for
Mr.. Douglas. His long and successful career
as politician has begotten spirit of pride
akin to that which is felt by the hereditary
rulers of the Old World, or by the hereditary
plantation rulers in the South-a spirit which
cannot brook opposition or contradiction. 1t
was this naughty contempt for the people-the
masses-who presumed to question his infalli-
bility, which brought about his undoing as a
politician. He must learn the uses of adver-
sity," and eschew his vicious political creed
before he can ever rise again in Illinois. The
people are now fully aroused to sense of their
rights, and of their betrayed and injured hon.
or aud Mr.. Douglas with all his talents and
energy, will not be able to subdue the ram
pant spirit Of liberty which is abroad G.