The daily union., 1854-12-14
THE DOUGLAS TESTIMONIAL.

The New Orleans Courier of December contains the
correspondence between the democratic committee appoint
ed the meeting held in that city, the I'd instant and
Senators Douglas Rusk and Johnson then in New Orleans
their way this city. The chief honor designed
for Judge Douglas, who rendered public reception
and invited to address his political friends In his reply
to Hon. Emile La Sere, the chairman of the committee
Judge Douglas regrets his inability accept of the prof
fered compliment In the of his letter he says
"I certainly fundamental principle in republican
system that the people of each State and Of each Territory
preparatory to its admission into the Union State have
the undenabe right to form and regulate their domestic in
suons and internal in accordance with their
views, and subject other limitation restriction than
that which the constitution of the United States has imposed
upon each and all the States.
If this principle be correct the act of Congress for the
organization of the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska
clearly right far the yexed question of slavery is in
voved.
1T is also principle in republican system equally
sacred and fundamental il the duty all men wor
ship God according the dictates their own conscience
and that should be prescribed either because of the
place of his birth of his religious faith. Ii this principle
be right it would to be wrong to form secret
on bound together by the most solemn oaths proscbe
and enforce religious test any other test for office
public under the United States other than that which
is authorized and sanctioned in the constitution"
General Rusks letter is modest and generous speaking
warmly for his friends and nothing of himself Its two
topics the merits and praise of Senator Douglas for
his bold and manly discharge of constitutional duty
and of Senator Johnson for his Jealous efforts in favor
railway to the Pacifca project which he urges of i'm
interest to Arkansas Louisiana and Texas and
especially to New Orleans
Senator Johnsons letter is admirable one The fol-
lowing extract shows its tone and spirit:
ympahize deeply with the feeling that dictates this
public manifestation of respect and regard for the senator
1t my fortune have served with him upon the commit
which reported the Kansas and Nebraska have
been familiar with the provisions of the bill through every
change from its inception and with the facts opinions
arguments which led to its adoption in its present FORM
Gas law it is nothing to the South that it is not to the
North All the South know this. Had been otherwise
would not have received the sanction of the distinguished
senator Had the senator introduced bill which excluded
the people of the South from the Terrorieswhich violated
that spirit pervadng the constitution protecting and guar
antyng the property and rights of the southern people
which outraged che principles Of tho Compromise act Of
ls5Owhch negsved the right of people to make their
laws and establish their government subject only
the constitutional condition that it be republican in its
formhen is just to conclude from what have witness
that the would have secured the approval
received the endorsement and excited the enthusiastic devo
ton those who bitterly condemn and reentessy
sue him.
awe not grateful to the senator that he has establish
ed for privilege solitary right not hereto
FORE by both the constitution and the latest legislation He
has not done He has sought be just u.s. but
morehe has been faithful to the constitution this that he
has refused to violate it."