Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-12-24

are lOICliib u SOou uinS vi ticiH ALI HOt Will
ing to be forced to do that which would do if
were left free to judge and act for myself. Hence
assert that there is no justification to be made of
this fragrant violation Of popular rights in Kansas,
on the plea that the constitution which they have
made is not particularly obnoxious. But, sir, the
President of the ULited States is really and sin.
cerely of the opinion that the slavery clause has
been fairly and impartially submitted to the free
acceptance or rejection of the people of Kansas,
and that, in as much as that was the exciting and
paramount question, if they get the right to vote
as they please that subject, they ought to be sat
isfed; and possibly it might be better if We would
accept 1t, and put Oh end to the question. Let me
ask, sir, is the slavery clause fairly submitted, SO
that the people can vote for or against it? Sup
pose were CITIZEN of Kansas, and should 60 up
to the polls and say, 81 desire to vote to make
Kansas a slave State; here is my ballot" They
reply to me, "Mr Douglas, just vote for that con-
sttution 6rst If you please" "Oh, non' | an
swer, 81 cannot vote for that constitution corset
tiously. am opposed to the clause by which YOU
locate certain railroads in such way to sacri-
flee my county and part of the State. am oppos-
ed to that banking system. | am opposed to this
know nothing or American clause in the constitu-
ton about the qualification for Office. | cannot
vote for it." Then they answer, "You shall not
vote for making it slave State" 1 then say, 81
want to make it a free State" They reply, "vote
for that constitution first, and then you vote to
make it free State; otherwise you cannot" Thus
they disqualify every free State man who will not
first vote for the constitution; they disquafy slave
State who will not first vote for the constitu-
ton. No matter whether or not the voters state
that they cannot conscientousy vote for those
provisions, they reply, "You cannot vote for or
against slavery here. Take the constitution as we
have made it; take the elective franchise as we
have established it; take the banking system as we
have dictated it, take the railroad lines as have
located them; take the Judiciary system as we have
formed it; take it all we have fixed 1t to suit our
selves, andask questions, but vote for it, you
shall not vote either for slave free State" In
other words, the legal effect of the schedule is
this all those who are in favorof this constitution
may vote for against slavery as they please but
those who are against this constitution dsfran-
cised and shall not vote all. That is the mode in
which the slavery proposition is submitted. Every
man opposed to the constitution is DISTINGUISHED on
the slavery clause. How many are they? They
tell you there is majority, for they say the consti
tuition will be voted down nstlntly, by an over
whelming majority, if you allow negative vote
This shows that majority against it. They
disqualify and disfranchise every man who is
against it. thus referring the slavery clause to q
minority of the people of Kansas, and leaving that
minority free to vote for or against the slavery
clause, as they choose.
Let me ask you if that is fair mode of submit
ting the slavery clausel Does that mode of sub
hitting that particular clause leave the people per
fectly fee to vote for against slavery, as they
choose? Am free to vote as choose on the slave
ry question if you tell me | shall not vote for il
until 1 vote for the Maine liquor law7 Am free
to vote on the slavery question, if you tell me
shall not vote either way until vote for bank
Is it freedom felecton to make your right to vote
upon one question depend upon the mode in which
you are going to vote on some other question which
has no connection with It'll Is that freedom of cleo
ton? Is that the great. fundamental principle o
self.governmen for which we combined AM
rv to establish as the rule of action in all time
come?
, The President of the United States has made
, some remarks in his message which it strikes M
would be very appropriate to read in this connec
ton. He says:
: "The friends and supporters of the Nebraska
and Kansas act, when struggling on the recent oc
casion to sustain its wise provisions before thu
great tribunal of the American people, never diff
fered about the true meaning on this subject. Ev
erywhere throughout the Union they publicly pledg
ed their faith and honor that they would cheerful
e submit the question of slavery to the decision o
the bona de people of Kansas, without any restrc
. ton or qualification whatever. All were cordially
n united upon the great doctrine OF popular sover
b eighty which is the vital principle OF our free in
stitutions."
Mark this:
"Had it then been insinuated, from any quartz
, that it would have been sufficient compliance wit
the acquisitions of the organic law for the member
of convention, thereafter to be elected, to with
hold the question of slavery from the people, ant
to substitute their own will for that of legally as
certained majority of their constituents. this wou
a have been instantly rejected"
l. Yes, sir, and will add further, had it been thel
o intimated from any quarter, and believed by tn
u American people, that we would have submitte
If the slavery clause in such manner as to compe
y man to vote for that which his conscience di
approve, in order to vote on the slavery clause
d not only would the IDEA have been rejected, bu
the democratic candidate for the Presidency woul
IF have been rejected; and every man who backe
l. him would have been rejected too.
Or The President tells us in his message that tn
sr whole party pledged ourf b and our honor tina
q. the slavery question should be submitted to tn
lie people, without any restriction or quaiihcato