Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-24
Douglas gs, Buchanan.

WHICH IS THE TRUE DEMOCRACY,
From the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas we
have received an official copy of his mastery
speech on Kansas matters, in reply to President
P,uohanan's Message, and we hasten to lay it
before our readers. This speech will be the
most extensively read by men of all parties, of
any thing of the kind for many years. 1t will
be the platform of very large portion of the
masses Of the former Administration party,
Carrying conviction, as it does from its smplc-
ity and courteous bearing toward the President,
it will be fruitless for the Administration and
its organs to attempt to array any considerable
opposition to it in any portion of the North.
If Douglas is not Republican in name, he
has now endorsed and adopted the principles
held by the great Republican party upon Kan
sas affairs. If he is not in favor of Kansas be-
ing free State, he certainly knows that the
success of an enabling act, which shall allow
the people of Kansas to fairly elect constitu-
tional Convention and form Constitution, will
secure the admission of Kansas with Free
State Constitution, one aboishing every vestige
of Slavery in moment. Yes, he knows that
it will bring the admission of Kansas with the
original Topeka Constitution, Hence its great
er significance
No man of sense could be so blind as not to
foresee that Kansas would be opened to the
South, and to desperate struggle for the ex-
tension of Slavery, by the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, Therefore, every one who
had the success of free principles at heart, op-
posed that monstrous act. But all good citizens
were bound to acquiesce in its repeal, after it
was done; and, instead Of spending their
strength to bring about its re-establishment,
they went to work to populate Kansas with
Freemen, as the most practicable, sure and peac-
able method of securing Freedom to Kansas.
And when the recent October election there dem
onstrated the complete success of their endeav-
ors, they were almost ready to lay down their
arms and go back to their families, their fields,
and their home pursuits. Almost was the Re-
publican party willing to disband and join the
hollow shout of " Buchanan and Free Kan
sas ="
And what has wrought such a sudden change
in the Country Is it the Free State men put
ting at defiance the laws of the nation! No
but the government are discarding all promises
that the people Of Kansas should be left per
fectly free to form their own government ; an'
is attempting to force Constitution foreign t.
the people, upon them, providing for institution
which they do not want, and in direct opposi
ton to their expressed wishes. What is tn
results Why, the arms SO lately hung upo
their pegs to rust, are again taken down, th'
people are alarmed, for the enemy, more form
liable than before, is upon them. And the wa
is begun 1t is time for assertions, dealt
victory and defeat. AS yet the result is bu
chaos.
Whether the arch fend has come to US in tn
form of Douglas, to belray US with kiss,
We, to be seen. Whether the traitor to tyranu
has the success of true principles In his hear
or selfemolument in his brain, is yet untol'
Whether the free people of Kansas are to
left perfectly free to regulate their own dome
tic institutions, or to be made the victims OF
miserable farce, are alike unknown. Ever
r body is watching, waiting, and the outrage
inhabitants Of that territory are looking wit
eager eyes and listening with watchfal ear, tt
tidings from the East. Whether it shall be Il
conHrmat ion Of Gov. Walker, or the beheadi
of Stanton, for daring to call them to the exc
Disc of their legal rights. whether it shall he
sustain the bogus Lecompton Convention. or
give the people Emporium ity 10 vote upon thu
Constitatio Is news to Them.
In this condition of affairs. we can but ho
for the best, and carefully guard against 70
founding the light with darkness, or the rig
with the wrong. Buchanan, in his Messal
SAYS that the people of Kansas have no right
vote the slavery out of Kansas which now
lists there that it was placed there under
Consultation, and that it would have been :"
act of gross injustice " to have summariy driv
it out; and that, under the Lecompton Cons
tuition the people are lett perfectly foee to n
ulate their institutions This doctrine is
iterated by every Administration organ VIII
dare not defy it's displeasure, until the small
menials echo the declarations. The Vermc
Patriot, as will be seen from an article lr
that paper, which we give in another colun
seeks to force it upon the free people of V
mont. The Burlington Sentinel applauds
Message, and especially that portion relating
Kansas affairs.
In reply to this, what says Douglas the gr
father of the Nebraska bill, and heretofore
= little giant of the Black Democracy
at once denies that the question Of Slave
trameled as it is by Constitution recognize
the rights OF those now holding slaves in
Territory forever and the odIous laws OF
Missouri Border RufGans, is fairly left 10
vote of the people He denies that Sla,
lie the only domestic institution of wi
the people Of Kansas are 10 be lett free to
ulate He denies that the Ter,itori Legi
lure had legal power to provide for Con,
tion to form Constitution demanding adj
zion asa State lie denies that Conslitu