The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-20


democratic member Of Congress from Illinois had taken
stand against Judge Douglas and would unite in an or
ganzaton TO defeat his election TO the Senate Con-
tray TO my usual in such cases. have thought
best to notice this rumo and to beg leave to say through
the columns of your paper that the statement is without
Foundation in fact
The charge insnuated from some quarters, and more
distinctly made from Others, that Judge Douglas had
abandoned about to abandon the national demo
cratic party, is simply ridiculous No living has de
voted much Of time, and labor and money and mind
In indicating the principles Of that party and in placing
1t its present proud position No living ID SO cor
daily hated by every branch Of the motley opposition
and the defeat prostation of other would nse
wild shout Of exultaton amid their scattered ranks
He will beyond all question be the unanimous choice of
the democracy of Illinois for reelection The ungener
and foolish caor raised against him from quarters
where he had right expect least Justice never
have the effect of alternating from him the affections of
that democracy who have tried him so long and know
him 80 we'll.
In regard the present condition of the Kansas ques
ton there has, In my humble judgment been great deal
Of unnecessary camor and great deal Of unnecessary
elimination The democratic party have now the inter
ests and destiny Of this great nation, the maintenance of
the Union and the sovereignty Of the several States in
trusted to their hands 1t is e-emincntly high and
sacred trust If dihercnces Of opinion arise to the OPP
plicaton of principles ought to together cooy
and dspaonately friends, and not become excited
and engage in bitter and useless ordinations
In regard to the principles of the party there is and
can be difference Of opinion The issue with the OPP
position broadly marked and clearly defined as
at the time of the presidential election The repub
can party insisted that slavery should be prohibited in
all the Territories by act Of Congress- and that States
should not be admitted without clause of prohibition In
their constitutions The democratic party took the ground
distinctly that the federal government had right to
discriminate between the institutions Of the several States
and that the people Of each State and Territory had the
clear right to determine and settle their own local insti
buttons Including the slavery question: for themselves
without interference dcaton the part the federal
government neghboring States. In regard to this
principle there not then, and is not now i ina
gne any difference of opinion among the members of the
democratic party, When States apply for admission
II there is any question in regard to the facts diff
ferences of opinion will naturally exist as whether
this principle has been fairly and honestly applied
whether the application for admission made the part
of the people Of the Territory of faction whether
the Territory has arrived at such condition by the
Der and character Of its population to justify in
ceiyng it into full fellowship Of the sovereign and
equal States of this confedecy having equal repre-
sentaton in the Senate and entitled to the rights
and privileges with the original States And every rep
rcsentatve must act upon his honest convictions upon
these questions in view of his duty to his whole country
looking to the real facts without regard to echn
caities And surely democrats should be permitted to
entertain and express their sentiments these questions
without being engaged in bitter and suicidal ienuncia
lions OF each other feel confident that every demo-
crat Is anxious to do substantial justice carry out in
good faith the principles and pledges our party and to
pursue that which is consonant to the spirit and
genius institutions and will rebound to the honor
n T ax,a
the time for action arrives and the facts in regard to the
Kansas questions truly known that there will be any
discord in ranks, any serious difficulty in agreeing
upon the which honor and justice and the true
principles of our government demand at our hands.
The people directly interested therein right to
determine the character Of their institutions within the
limits prescribed by the federal constitution; but the
question to the proper time and of admission
into the Union must Of necessity be left to Congress It
will never do adopt fundamental principle that
territorial legislature may any time subvert the terrific
rial without the consent of Congress and de-
mand admission into the Union matter Of absolute
right Apply the principle to Utah New Mexico, and
its absurdy becomes too obvious to require argument
If the population of Territory otoriousy composed
of free negroes any other degraded race of outlaws
and feons, where justice could not be administered
should feel under obligation to vote for its admission
though all the forms Of law had been strictly
complied with And, on the other hand, II people of
sufficient number and the proper character to form in
dependent State applying for admission where
there had been prior territorial government if tho
constitution presented nnquestionaby imboded the will
of tho people to be governed thereby the want Of mere
formality would, imagine, be entitled to very little
weight 1t is the substance and not the shadow; the soul
and not the skeleton, at which must look when called
upon act upon great national questions involving sa
crc nalienable and indeasblc rights of American free
men. g6E
The democratic party have proclaimed to tho world
that they have broken down forever the doctrine of fed
era interference and dcation (Which standing and
bitter insult to half Of the confcderacy and have
guaranteed to every people the right at the proper Time
to determine the character Of their institutions for
themselves without dictation interference from with
out II concatofy counsels prevail and this prn
cple is honestly and fairly carried out the democratic
party will occupy proud position, impregnablc the
rock ribbed mountains of continent The honest
impulses Of the American heart demand that it shall be
carried out in good faith, and not become mockery and
deuson by being swallowed up in miserable forms and
technicaes The democratic party cannot afford to err
on this question Politicians and partisan papers may
for while tickle the and befog the question with
ncspun sophrics but the honest heart of the people
will at last demand substantial justice and substantial
redemption of our pledges. sia89a Ii3t tiAfAi
In regard to the Lecompton constitution, when it
shall be presented for consideration and the facts in
regard thereto shall be fully known will take my po
stion in view of my responsibility and duty to my con-