The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-12-16
WHAr WILL BE THE UPsHOT OF ITf

II
It's said that three or four Democratic Sena
tors only will side with Mr. Douglas In tn
attitude he has taken Upon the Kahsas.ques
ton, and that all the rest viii adhere to MI
Buchanan. 1t Is also said that many leading
Democratic papers which have all along beef
earnestly advocating the submission Of tn
whole. of the Constitution to the people, ant
approving Governor Walkers course, hav
suddenly faced to the right about and nov
sustain Mr.. Buchanan. These things are con
sidered by some as clear and unmstakable in
dications that Judge Douglass has beer
read out of the party and fiercely denounced
| by some papers that heretofore could hardly
| find terms of laudation sufficiently expressive
to give utterance to their admiration of and
obsequiousness to him,-is to be abandoned
by the party, and left standing like tree
scathed by lightning, monument of the folly
of attempting to resist the will OF control the
action Of the Democratic party.
But on the other hand, there are those who
confidently affirm that he has but expressed
the almost unanimous sentiment Of the people
of the free States, and pretty large portion
Of those of the slave States and that he will
be not only sustained by them, but lauded to
the very echo. It is affirmed that in due time
the voice of the people will come up here like
the rushing of many waters, striking terror
into the hearts Of those who would palter with
them in a double sense, contemn their under
standing, and cheat them with bubble.
1t is said by editors from the North, and by
gentlemen from the South who are DESTROYS OF
adhering to the Administration, that it is in
vain to declare that the people did not under
stand the Kansas-N ebraska act to mean pre-
cisely what Mr.. Douglas says it did mean and
to tell them now that they did not correctly
understand it, is but to call in question their
common sense; an affront they will not easily
forgive or patiently take. It may suit politi-
clans, say they, to bubble and equivocate,
mystify and befog,--to deny that black is
black, and white is white, for the purpose Of
accomplishing some sinister end - but
the people like plain dealing, plain language,
and plain, honest, Interpretation of that Ian
guage; hence these gentlemen infer that though
the leaders of the party may desire to inveigle
them to the support of the Administration 10
its controversy with Mr.. Douglas, the at
tempt to accomplish this will prove to be a
signal failure, and that they themselves will
fall into the pit they are now digging for
him.
For ourselves, though we have no part nor
lot in this controversy, it being altogether a
Democratic family affair, we cannot but think
these predictions are well founded; and that
Mr.. Douglas will be found to have planted him
self upon the rock Of honesty and fair dealing,
where he will stand firm and immovable, while
his antagonists are engulphed in a morass Of
prevarication and sophistry, from which no
mortal hand can extricate them
JUDGE DOUGLAS AND THE
PRESIDENT.
The Pennsylvania and other organs of the
Administration have derived much consolation
and encouragement from the fact that Mr..
Richardson, who, though formerly firm
friend of Mr. Douglas, had, as was alleged,
abandoned him and given in his adhesion to
Mr. Buchanan,-was promptly confirmed by
the Senate some days ago, as Governor of Ne
braska. This, it was argued, showed conclu-
siveiy that Mr.. Buchanan was all-powerful in
the Senate, and Mr.. Douglas in lean minority.
But the fact is that Mr.. Richardson has not
abandoned Mr.. Douglas; on the contrary he
stands by him in his present attitude, entirely
approving his course. 1t is also fact as we
are credibly informed, that Mr.. Richardson
called on the President previous to his being
dominated to the Senate, and frankly stated to
him that in the controversy between him and
Mr.. Douglas he should sustain the latter. The
interview took place, we arc informed, in pres
ence Of one of the Democratic members of the
House of Representatives, from Illinois.
How many Senators and Representatives
may stand by Mr.. Douglas we know not. We
know that the President has many foreign mis-
sions and other important Offices at his dispo-
sal, and there is general impression abroad
that these glittering baubles have great value
in the eyes Of every member of the Democratic
party in either body.
Mr.. Douglas has made bold movement !;
one that knowing his party as well as he
does, required the exercise Of great moral cour-
age; and for this we give him all due credit.
He who can coolly make up his mind to stand
by what he believes to be right, not only re-
CARELESS of consequences, but with q certainty
Of mourning great danger, and being over.
whelmed with misrepresentation and obloquy,
has in him the spirit Of hero and the resolu.
ton Of martyr. Mr.. Douglas has done this,
and therefore, as man, we yield him all honor
| II now remains to be seen whether the people
Of the United States win approve the course
he has taken, and sustain him in it. He has
become their champion SO far rs to insist tina,
they shall have the right to say whether Q
constitution suits them or not, before it il
forced upon them. Mr.. Buchanan and tn,
Administration, on the other hand, practically
deny--or at least withhold this right from tn,
people, permitting them only to say whether
they will have slavery or not
The issue is fairly made, and both sides hav,