Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-23
Senator Douglas and general shie.ds.

State OF New York. We desire at the present time
however, to call public attention to them, as the SEN
timcnts and opinions OF the gentlemen named are
important to true understanding of the position of
the Northern Democracy on the subject of slavery
in tho Territories.
When Senator Douglas made the speech to which
we have reference, he on q visit with his bride
TO his mother in Ontario county, New York, where
some Of his personal friends and political admirers
gave him the compliment OF public supper and
ball. furnishing the opportunity to indulge in few
remarks We find report Of the speech Of the H.
linois Senator in the Ontario Repository. The main
portion Of 1t was devoted to explaining to his old
neghbors the true character Of the Nebraska BILL
which, as always, he claimed was based upon the
principles Of selfgovernment After an elaborate
exposition Of his doctrine, he proceeded as follows:
"The objection to this doctrine applied to our new
Territories that tho people Of such Tertore II let to
themselves might lsgisatc into their country the crime
OF slavery well other crimcs he answered BY show
ing from the weknown history Of the United States
that In the exercise OF this right OF sefgovernment In
stead OF doing, six Of the original thirteen colonies
which commenced by being slaveholdng colonies had
tuay emancpated their slaves without the least coercion
from the Government Of the United States and he
result coHd foftor as he thought ia other sareholding
States the eitissns Of the sidreholdsg States roaid
only gire them the privilege Of making their orn ics in
their ora ray: and the Territories n particular rhere
ADMITTING rnE INSTITUTION, As
RAJ CONSCIENCE AND PRrJuDIcEs OF THE
COUNTRY, DOTH NORTH AND SOUTH"
If anything could surprise in these days Of mo-
dern Democracy and consequent political heresy aud
profgacy, it would be the falling of sentiments like
these from the lips OF able and distinguished lea
der Of the dominant party of the Unon-a North
ern politician Of the national Democratic school,
who is constantly held up to US by his party COM
panions and allies Mt tho South as Northern man
of unexceptionable Southern principles. We freely
admit ourselves that Senator Douglas is among the
soundest most reliable and deserving of the North
ern Democracy. But il the soundest and most reli-
able Of the Northern Democrats announce sentiments
like those have quoted what must be the charac-
ter Of the opinions in respect slavery entertained
by the vast majority Of the men at the North with
whom he is politically associated,
We here find Judge Douglas-this peculiar friend
and defender Of the rights of the South-boldy de-
nouncing and matchmaking slavery as n "crime,"
and declaring that il is against the general con-
cience and prejudices Of the people of the country
North and South" Admit the truth OF the Senator's
assertion in respect to cherished domestic nsti
tuition, and what would be the consequence? Why,
Southern men would be forever estopped from saving
word in defence or justification Of slavery Indeed
they would be compelled to cooperate in any move
ment effort having for its object its overthrow and
utter abolition Being "crime" it could not be
upheld or recognized either in the States or in the
Territories, without gross and shameless violation
Of all law, human and divine. And such is the view
of slavery which Judge Douglas would promulgate
as "fxed fact" among his political followers, and
impress upon the public mind only Of the North
but Of the whole Union and all the world beside
Verify, il we believed, as Senator Douglas saws he
does, that slavery is ''crime" sense Of duty pub
lie and private would impel to encourage and as
sist in all propositions aud efforts which might be
sugge tied for its complete and speedy humiliation
We should undertake no longer to defend, paiate or
excuse what We considered "crime," and against
the general conscience" Of our own and all civilized
countries And If Judge Douglas has any respect
Tor consistency TO say nothing Of moral and political
Obligation he will renounce all specous talk and ar
gument on the subject, and unite at once and cor
daily with Garrison, Philips and Fred Douglass in
the effort to stilc and abolish slavery wherever il
exists throughout Gods heritage
And so, too according to the opinion and wishes of
the Democratic Senator from Illinois, the institutions
OF the South will never find foot hold or receive re-
cognition IN any Of the Territories OF the Union Be.
ing against the general conscience Of the people of
the country, North and South" as Judge Douglas
asserts, of course those Southern men who believe
slavery to be no crime must surrender all idea of
its further extension, and content themselves with
having it "cribbed, cabinned and confined" within
Its present limits Even should the people Of Kan
sas or any other Of our Territories see tit TO adopt
Constitution establishing and legazing the nstitu-
ton OF slavery, and then apply to Congress for nd
mission into the Union, Senator Douglas and those
who think with him would be compeed-if sincere
and honest in their view Of the subect-to reject
their application, upon the all-suficent ground Of
dscountenancing and opposing what they believe to
be wrong and ''crime," and against the general
conscience" Of the country and Of the world There
can, therefore, be no more slave States added TO the
Union. The united South of itself is not strong
enough to secure the admission Of Kansas or anv
other Territory into the Union with a pro-slayerv
Constitution; and the "alies" Of the Southern de-
nocracy at the North will lend her no aid in the
matter, because in their consciences they believe
slavery to be n "crimo" and a curse Such il the
entertainment to which the anxious and expectant
South is invited by the most prominent and infuen
ual leader OF the Northern Democracy Such il the
vain, yet fitting, conclusion Of that monstrous svs
TEN OF humbuggery aud deception, which the DE
mocratic party have prscticed upon tho honest Gre
duty Of the Southern people for so long series Of
years Forever promising additional strength and
security TO slavery, and yet sustaining AID putting
mon 10 power who avow their purpose To oppose lis
extension and hem it in forever, because. as they
say, u IS ''crime" and against the general con-
science Of the people We invoke the attention Of
southern men TO the views and intentions Of the
Northern Democracy in regard to Southern rights
n foreshAdowed in the significant extract from the
speech Of Senator Douglas II his opinion Of slavery
Is the prevalent one Of his party at the North then
Indeed has The South been deceived aud cajoIcd TO
its ruin by these Northern political syrenS
% the same occasion upon which Judge Douglas
delivered the speech upon which we have comment.
cd, General Shields another distinguished leader OF
the Northern Dcmocracy-w called out, and re
sponded by saying that she was opTo'ed to the en-
fensioH cfsioserg; he wI thorough aati-slaosrt
'aoa; and were NJ an iHha5itaat Of Raasa, he ssouL
oppose tie infooduetioa Of tie system into that Ter