Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-09


in the Park, and headed by Shelton's band it
proceeded up Broadway to the st. Nicholas
hotel, where the senator has lodgings.
The procession countermarched and formed
in line in front of the hotel At this time, there
were probably about two thousand persons in
the vicinity, and had the weather been more
pleasant, the crowd would undoubtedly have
been much larger Most of the persons in the
procession wore the badge Of the Empire Club.
Transparencies were also borne, with various
inscriptions.
The national airs were played by Shelton's
band, and national salute was fred from the
celebrated Empire Club gun The American
dag was displayed in the balcony of the hotel.
The balconies and windows of the house were
occupied by spectators many of whom were
ladies. The scene was highly inspiriting one,
and with the bright smiles of the ladies, the
waving of the banners, the cleaning of the
transparencies, the music Of the band, and the
cheers of the crowd, a most interesting series
of effects was produced.
About half past eleven o'clock, Mr.. Purdy in
troduced the senatorin the following brief re-
marks:
"Fellow-citizens, Nebraska men, and demo-
Gratis: III have the honor TO present TO yon the dis
lh6ulshCu stHutoT from liluOiS, mon. Stepneu a.
Douglas and know, in introducing him to you
tbs not necessary TO bespeak for him hearty re-
cepton. II is sufficient for us to Know that he is
the great advocate of the Nebraska and Kansas
billp
Here three cheers were given for Mr. Doug
las, mingled with the Kisses of a few abolition
lists, who had taken advantage of this opportu-
NIFTY to make themselves heard in their own
peculiar fashion. As it caused some Interrupt
ton to the honorable speaker, the obnoxious
individuals were removed in rather summary
manner. When quiet was restored, Mr.. Doug
las replied as follows
g Friends and fellow-citizens--I have been told
repeatedly, pending the Nebraska bill before the
VOICE" Three cheers for Stephen A. Doug
las The cheers were given unanimously.
MIR. DoUGLAs.-I was told that when left the
capitol and returned among the people, l would
hear the thunders OF their voices in my ears !;
but the thunder which was then predicted was
very different in its tone from that which we now
hear from your voices (Cheersl Instead Of
hearing those thunders of indignation from an
outraged people, hear voices from the demo-
cratic masses declaring that the support of this
principle was the great act which should ever be
remembered. (Cheers) | am well aware that
this demonstration is not 10 me individually, but
is spontaneous expression of your approval
of that principle which l have been the humble
agent in bringing forward, in order that il might
become law of the land
$ / rejoice more at this demonstration of your
approval than ] would if il were intended as
personal honor, for in this country men are of
little consequence when separated from principle.
The great principle of a free government such as
that for which we contend, will be eternal in its
operation, and there will be no bounds TO its in
fuence. Long and enthusiastic cheers.) Much
has been said about the Nebraska BILL much has
been said in denunciation of il, but il so happens
that the denuncialion has generally proceeded from
those who do not understand it, or who were de-
termined not to understand it. The simple prin-
cple involved in that question was, that the peo-
pie Of The Territories of 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 to all the States
in the Union. (Cheers) This is not new prin-
ciple in this governments it is.as old as selfgov-
ernment it was the vindication of it that caused
the separation Of this country from Great Britain
il is the great principle upon which the consttu-
ton of the United States was founded, and which
is included in the bill Of rights of every State in
this confederacy. Is it not most extraordinary,
that at this day, and in this country, men should
rise up in denuncaton of this great principle,
without which free government cannot exist It
is no excuse to say that the people if left to
themselves will pass bad laws; if they do the
consequences Of those bad laws must fall upon
their own heads. You are allowed 10 make what
ever laws in New York you please, and if we in
Illinois don't like them, all we have TO do is 10
keep away from their Jurisdiction and operation.
In Illinois we establish just such institutions as
suit us, and if you like them come and dwell with
us; but if you disapprove Of them, stay away
The Nebraska bill proposes TO carry this principle
into all the Territories of the United States and
are not the people of the Territories as capable of
deciding for themselves as those Of other States?
slfyo here in New York are competent 10 de-
eide the slavery question, will you be less compe-
tent when you have seen Nebraska, and moved
into it? Is il probable that emgrants from the old
States will lose any of their virtue and patriotism
while wandering by the wayside? Is it probable
that, when they have arrived at their new home
they will take as much interest in deciding this
question right as those who have never been there?
[Cries of Good, - Good That's it, and Certain.
ly.' In the midst of which some one was heard 10
say, sAll, except Greeley.l As before said. this
is the principle upon which the Nebraska bill rests
it is the great cardinal principle ofthe democratic
party. 1t is the only one upon which that party
can stand united and become Irresistible, and if
the wing 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 that the enemies Of the Nebraska bill,
while resisting the principle upon which it is
founded, strive by every artfce 10 conceal it from
view. Hence they argue that the Missouri COM
promise should not have been repealed, and that
the bill did not carry out the principles of sefgov-
eminent" euth
Here Mr.. Douglas went into brief histori-
cal sketch of the Missouri compromise, and pro-
ceeded as follows:
When these Territories become States, they
shall come into the Union with or without slavery,
as they may think proper. Hence every man who
maintains the Missouri compromise is opposed to
the great principle that allows the people 10 de-
eide the question for themselves. The great prin-
cpe ofthe sovereignty of the people underlies the
Nebraska bill well every other territorial bill
that has ever been enacted by Congress. There
is an elective assembly, and every officer except
the governor and secretary, is an elective officer.
All the laws for the regulation of the Territory
are originated in the assembly. Then il seems
that the great issue IN this matter is. upon the
question 10 whether or not the people of Me-
braska shall be allowed TO settle the question Of
slavery or no slavery for themselves.
"The abolitonists will tell you that slavery is
great moral wrong, and that the people should not
have the privilege Of settling it for themselves.
Now we all acknowledge that murder is great
moral wrong but in no territorial bill has the pun
ishment for murder ever been defined. (Cries of
good" and cheers) Congress has never defined
for any Stale or Territory the proper punishment
for any crime That is matter over which the
people alone have jurisdiction The temperance
men will tell you that the prohibition of the sale
of intoxicating liquors is necessary for the we'll
L.. f.l a.