The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-07-01
sSansas, Utah and the bred scot, decision
REMARKS OF
nON.tSTEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.

DELIVERED IN THE STATE HOUSE AT SPRINGFIELD
ILLINOIS, ON THE i2rB OF JUNE, 1857.
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Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen 81
appear before you TO night, a, the request Of
the Grand Jury in attendance upon the U, s.
Court, for the purpose of submitting my
views upon certain topics upon which they
have expressed desire 10 hear my opinion.
II was not mypurpose whea arrived among
you 10 have engaged in any public or poli,i-
csl discussion; but when called upon BY
body of gentlemen SO Intelligent, aud respect
able, coming from all parts Of The State, and
connected with the administration Of pnblic
justice, do not feel at liberty TO withhold
:ulI and frank expression Of my opinion upon
the, subjects 10 which they have referred, and
which now engross so large q share of The
public attention.
The points which en- requested 10 dis
euss are
list. The present condition and prospects,
of Kansas.
I'd. The principles affirmed BY the Supreme
Court of the United States in The Dred Scot,
case.
81. The condition OF things in Utah, and
the appropriate remedies for existing evils.
OF the Kansas question, but little need be
said al the present time. You are familiar
with the history Of the question, and my
connection with il. Subsequent reflection
has strengthened and confirmed my coovic-
tions IN the soundness Of the principles on
which acted, and the correctness OF he
course | have felt it ny duty to pursue upon
that subject. Kansas is about 10 speak for
herself through her delegates assembled in
convention 10 form a constitution, prepara.
tory 10 her admission into The Union on an
pqua! footing with the original States. Peace
and prosperity now prevail throughout her
borders The law under which her delegates
are about 10 be elected is believed 10 be just
aud fair in all it's objects and provisions-
There is every reason 10 hope and believe
tha, The law will be fairly interpreted and
impauially executed so as to insure TO every
bona fds inhabi,ant lie free and quiet ex-
ercise OF the elective franchise. II any por.
,ion Of the Inhabitants, acting under The ad
vice of political leaders in dstan' States,
shall choose 10 absent themselves from The
polls, and withhold their votes, with view
of leaving the Free Siate Democrats in mi
nori,y, and thus securing pro.slavery Con-
s,i,ulion in opposition 10 the wishes Of the
majority OF The people living under il, 10,
the responsibility rest on those who, for par
4 -tizau purposes, will sacrifice the principles
they profess to cherish and promote. Upon
them and upon the political party for whose
benefit, and under the direction of whose
leaders, they act, let the blame be visited
for fastening upon the people OF q new State,
institutions repugnant TO their feelings ond in
violation of their wishes. The organic act
secures to the people Of Kansas the sole and
exclusive right Of forming and regulating
their domestic institutions TO suit themselves,
eubiect TO no other limitation than tina, which
the Constitution OF the United States i'm
poses. The Democratic party is determined
10 see The great fundamental principles of the
org anic &C, carried out in good faith. The
present election law in Kansas is acknowl-
edged to be fair and just--lhe rights oil voters
are clearly defnsd-and the exercise Of those
rights viii be efficiently aud scrnpulously
protected. Hence, If the majority Of the
people of Kansas desire TO have il free
State, (and we are told by the Republican
party that nine ten,hs of the people OF that
territory are Free State men, there is no OBJ.
stscle in the way of bringing Kansas into
the Union as Free Stale, by the voles and
voice of her own people, aud in conformity |
with tho great principles Of The Kansas Ne
braska acl--provIded all the Free State men
will go 10 the polls, and vote fheir principles
in accordance with their professions. II such |
is no. the resul. let the consequences be Wis
tied upon the heads Of those whose policy
Il is 10 produce strife, anarchy and bIoodsheed
in Kansas, that their party may profit by
slavery agitation 10 the Northern States of
this Union. That the Democrats 10 Kansas
will perform their duty, fearIessly and nobly,
according TO the principles they cherish, I
have no doubt, and that the result OF the
Struggle will be such as will gladden. the
heat and strengthen the hopes OF every
friend Of the Union, have entire confidence.
The Kansas question being setiled peace
fully and satisfactorily, IN accordancs with
the wishes Of her owp people, slavery agita.
iion should be banished from the halls Of
and cease TO be an exciting sle-
men. ic our political struggles. Give fsif
play To ihst principle Of self government
which recognizes the right Of iLe people OF
each State and Territory to form and regu.
|sie their OWE domestic institutions, aud sec.