Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-17
SENATOR DOUGLASS SPEECH.

In the Senate on the 9th inst, Senator
DorGLAs took the earliest opportunity to de-
fine his position in regard to the LecOmpton
Constitution We shall not this week attempt
TO publish any portion of his speech, as the
Presidents Message occupies all our space, but
we will in our next, lay before our readers so
much Of it as will enable them to correctly es.
innate the attitude he assumes and the argu-
ments used to sustain his position.
Mr. DOUGLAS takes bold and high grounds
against the adoption by Congress of the lie
compton Constitution. lie lays much stress
on the fact, which our readers will not fail to
observe, that the President in his Message,
arst INDUCES in an argument why the Consti
tuition should be submitted in all its parts to
che action Of the people, and makes no recon-
mendation that Kansas shall be admitted as
State with the swindle concocted at Lecomp-
ton. Still the message leaves the conclusion
on the readers mind that the President recog-
nizes the binding force and validity of the CAL
HoUN Constitution, while unoficiallv, it is well
known that he has determined to make adher-
ence to his policy of admitting Kansas with
that Constitution, test OF party fealty.
Mr. ID. also argues that an enabling act OF
Congress can alone confer the necessary au-
thority for the assembling of Convention tc
form a Constitution, and he consequently does
not regard the Lecompton Constitution as any
more valid than that made at Topeka, and en-
dorses the position assumed by Mr. GROW, in
Ais speech of March 4th, 1856, that the
people of Territory, while they cannot legal
" meet in Convention to form Constitution,
yet have an undoubted right to meet and pre-
pare Constitution and present it to Congress
M petition and memorial.
He INDUCES in powerful argument against
the injustice and unfairness of the Lerompton
Constitution itself, aud particularly the mode
in which it is submitted to the vote of the peo-
pie The leading idea in Mr.. DouGLAs's speccl,
is that the Democratic party stand upon the
doctrine of popular sovereignty that pied
ges have been made to the country that the
doctrine shall be freely and fairly carried out
that he has repeatedly pledged his honor
that the people of Kansas should have the
opportunity to pass upon any Constitution
made for them-and he regards the Leconp-
ton Constitution as plainly violating the doc
trines of the party and own repeated pledge,
under these circumstances, he feels it his duty
20 take position of antagonism to the Ad-
ministration.
Such are the leading points Of his speech,
which are enunciated with great force and
clearness and boldly and defantly maintained
II We had greater confidence in his honesty
we should have moro admiration for the at
titude he now voluntarily assumes. However
il he shall maintain to the end, the stand he
has taken we will give him all the credit he de-
serves. Already the accommodation of the
party has been proclaimed the Southern mem
bers have determined not to recognize him as
Democrat, while the organs at Washington
are deliberately reading him out of the par
ty." There can be no question that Mr.
DOUGLAS position will ALLEVIATE all his South
ern supporters and friends. What is the
cause of this unexpected desertiou of one of
the ablest and hitherto most reliable champions.
Has he, with FoRNEY and others, become
rcstive under the dctation of their Southern
masters and determined to assert their man.
illness and independence Or has he be-
gun to realize that the South, while they are
willing to use Northern men to effect their
ends, are the first to cast them off, when they
have thereby become odious at the North
There is no question that bold political
stroke is the handspring of this reluctance to
do the behests Of Slavery. Able, bold and
energetic men, are engaged in playing the
game. But we welcome it, as we welcome
every manifestation that the Southern yoke
is beginning to gall the necks of Northern
men, and Northern arrogance and dictation is
becoming intolerant