Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-03-30
Remarks by Judge Douglas.

The abotionists are in the habit OF invaidatng
the influence of Judge Douglas, by imputing to him
mercenary motives, such as being influenced In his
course by the possession of large plantation OF ne
eroes. Mr. Wade. of Ohio, in the q. S. Senate made
the same insinuaton which drew from Judge D. the
following eloquent and affecting remarks:
" Mr.. President, the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Wade)
has invaded the circle of my private relations IN search
of materials for the impeachment OF my omclai &C
ton He has alluded to certain southern interests
which he insinuates that | possess, and remarked,
that where the treasure is there the heart Is also
So long the statement, that was one OF the lar
eest slave holders in America, confined to the
BOLTON newspapers and stump orators treated 1t
with silent contempt would gladly do so on this
OCCASION it for the fact that the reference Is
made in my presence by Senator for the purpose
of imputing TO me mercenary motive for my omclal
conduct.
Under these circumstances. silence on my part, IN
regard to the fact, might be construed into COMES
sion of guilt in reference 10 the impeachment OF mo-
tive. therefore say to the Senator that his Insinua-
ton is false, if be has searched the records or
has any reliable information on the subject | am
not the owner of slave and never have been, nor
have ever received, and appropriated to my own
use dollar earned by slave labor 1t Is true that
once had rendered to me- under circumstances CRATE
full to my feelings. plantation with large number
of slaves upon it, which declined 10 accept, no. be-
cause had any sympathy with abolltlonsts or the
abolition movement; but for the reason that, being a
northern by birth, by education and residence,
and intending always TO remain such, it was lmpossl
BILE for me TO know, understand and provide for the
wants, comforts, and happiness of those people.
refused 10 accept them because Twas unwilling to
assume responsibilities which was incapable of full
filling The fact is referred to in the will of my ia
ther-in-law, as reason for leaving the plantation
and slaves TO his only daughter, who became the
mother of my infant children her separate exclu-
sve estate with the request that if she departed this
life without surviving children, the slaves should lie
emancpated and to Liberia at the expense of her
estate :Ebut in the event she should leave surviving
children the slaves should descend to them, under
the belief expressed in the will, that they would be
happier AID better off with the descendants of the
family with whom they had been born and raised,
than in distant land where they mil ht find no
friend to care for them This brief statement relat-
ing to private and domestic affairs, whichought to be
permitted to remain private and sacred has been ex
torted and wrung from me with extreme reluctance,
even in vindlcaton of the purity of my motives, in
the performance Of high public trust. AS the truth
compelled to negative the insinuaon so offensive
" made by the Senator from Ohio, God forbid that
should be understood by any being willing to
cast from any responsibility that does, or
ever has attached to any member of my family. So
long life shall last-and shall cherish with
ligous veneration the memory and virtues OF the
sainted mother of my children-so long my heart
shall be filled with parental solcitude for the happi-
ness of those motherless infanls-I impore my enc
mics who so ruthessly invade the domestic sanctuary
to do me the favor TO believe that have aspiration
to be considered purer or better than she who was
or they who are shareholders. Sir whenever my as
sailans shall refuse to accept like amount of this
species OF property rendered to them under similar
circumstances, and shall perform a domestic trust
with equal fidelity and disnerestedness, it will be time
enough for them to lmpute mercenary motives to me
in the performance of my official duties.