The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-10
July Q, 1851.
Senator Douglas on Kansas Affairs.

FROM HIS SPEECH AT SrRTsGF1ELD, ILLINOIS
June l2th.-Of the Kansas question but little
need be said at the present time. You are fam
liar with the history of the question. 1t has
strengthened and confirmed my convictions in
the soundness Of the principles and the correct
ness of the course have felt it my duty to
pursue upon that subject. Kansas is about to
speak for herself through her delegates assem-
bled i'll con vention to form constitution, pre-
pnratory to her admission into the Union on an
equal footing with the original States. Peace
and prosperity now prevail thout her borders
The law under which her delegates are about
to be elected is believed to be just and fair in
all its objects and provisions. There is every
reason to hope and believe that the law will be
fairly interpreted and impartially executed, 80
rs to insure to every bona fide inhabitant the
free and quiet exercise of the elective franchise
If any portion of the inhabitants, acting under
the advice of political friends in distant States,
shall choose to absent themselves from the polls,
and withhold their votes, with view oflcaving
the free Stateidemocrats in minority. and thus
securing pro-snvery constitution in opposi-
tion the wishes of n majority Of the people liv-
ing under it. let the responsibility rest on those
who, for partisan 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 net, let the blame be visited of
fastening;upon the people of a new State insti.
tutions rcpugnant to their feelings and in vio.
lation Of their wishes. The organic act secnrcs
to the people Of Kansas the sole and exclusive
right of forming and regulating their domestic
institutions to suit themselves, subject to no
other limitation than that which the Constitu-
ton of the United States imposes. The Demo.
critic party is determined to see the great fun
damental principles Of the organic act carried
out in good fnith The present election law
in Kansas is acknowledged to be fair and just
the rights ofthe voters are clearly defincd-and
the exercise of those rights will be efficiently
iorty of the people of Kansas desire to have it
free State land we are told by the Republ-
can party nine tcntlis Of the people Of that Ter.
ritory are free State men, there is no obstacle
in the way of bringing Kansas into the Union
as free State, by the votes and voice of her
own people, and in conformity with the great
principles of the Kansas-N ebraska act; provd-
ed all the free State men will go to the polls,
Eand vote their principles in accordance with
their professions. Ifsuch is not the result, let
the consequences be visited upon the heads of
those whose policy it is 20 produce strife, an.
archy and bloodshed in Kansas, that their par
ty may profit by slnvery'agitation. If the Demo
Gratis in Kansas will perform their duty, fear
lessly and nobly, according to the principle
suit Of the struggle will be such as will gladden.
the heart and strengthen the hopes Of every
friend of the Union.
The Kansas question being settled peacefully
and satisfactorily, in accordance with the wish
es fher own people, slavery agitation should
be banished from the halls Of Congress. and
cease to be an exciting element in our political
struggles. Give.fair play to that principle Of
self government which recognizes The right of
TIE people of each State and Territory to form
and regulate their own domestic institutions,
and sectional strife will be forced to gisNplace
to that fraternal feeling which animatsd the
fathers Of the Revolution, and made every citi-
zen of every State of this glorious confederaey
/ a member ora common brotherhood.