Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-06-25
From the Chicago Daily Times.
Great Rally Of the People.
SENATOR DOUGLASS ADDRESSING HIS CON-
sTITUENTs AT THE CAPITOL.

ana dVuTS W CtuH.
SPRINGFIELD. ILL.,, June IL. 1857.
4 Messrs Editors:-lt is not an uncommon
thing for letierwriiers when alluding to til,
speeches Of great men. frequently TO char
acterize the last effort of the orator as III,
best Of his life, and not without some jus
tice am I compelled to adhere 10 the usua
rule, il speaking Of the truly great speech
which have just heard from the lips .
our distinguished Senator.
am SUR that not one Of the thous
ands of deli, -hted democrats. who had tht
pleasure of nearing Judge Douglass thi'
Feyening vii! feel disposed TO join issue viii
ne in the above opinion, nay, l very
much doub. if The honorable Senator him
sell, many and powerful as are the speech
es he mas delivered, would feel that he
woaid be doing justice TO himself, to deny
that il not superior. 1t Was certainly equa
to any of his best efforts.
AS you may seem somewhat surprised
on learning that the Judge, who had moi
contemplated making any speeches on the
important topics of the day, during the
present recess Of Congress, was induced
to do so; will merely inform you that the
occasion that called him out was as much a
matter of surprise to him, as it was graf
flying disappointment to his many admi-
rers and friends in central Illinois.
On Wednesday last the grand jury of
the United States Court now holding its
session in this city, unanimously passed a
resolution requesting Senator Douglas, who
was temporarily Oh visit to some friends
in this city, TO express his views upon
three of the most important topics now ag
itating the minds of the American people,
to-wit: "Kansas," "Thc Dred Scott De-
cision," and affairs in Utah.
The Grand Jury in body waited ON tie
Judge. and after presenting their action,
requested that he would fix upon some time
most agreeable to himself, to crafty their
wishes. Friday evening at the State house
was agreed upon, the subject matter of the
argument he made upon that occasion, l
now propose briefly to allude to, touching
only the strong points of his really able and
convincing speech.
The large hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives, galleries, lobbys, and approach
es were densely packed by one of the lar
gest, most intelligent and most discrimina
ting audience, quite number of whom
was ladies. which was ever congregated in
our city.
Ex-Governor Mafteson was the presi ling
officer, assisted BY the Hon. W c. Gouiy,
Of Fulton, and Colonel J s. Hacker, Of
Union. as Secretaries.
TIE distinguished speaker commenced
by stating the reasons thai induced him to
forego his determination Of not addressing
his constituents during the recess of Con
gress, and said that a request coming from
such distinguished source, he did not
think he had right to decline, especially
as he always recognized the rights of the
people. al any time to call upon their pub
lie servants for their opinions upon any of
he great political questions upon which
hey had to pass in judgement. His views
were always freely given, and as freely act
ed upon, and were to be taken for just
what they were worth and no more. Up
on the Kansas question he had little to say.
His opinions on that question were we'll
known, and he had nothing to add, except
that subsequent experience and reflection
had confirmed him in the correctness of
the judgmen. he had so often advanced in
the Senate and before the people.
He spoke of the fairness and justice of
the law. giving the people an opportunity of
their honest convictions on the
subject of slavery in a constitutional man
ner, by means of constitutional conven-
ton soon to meet, to decide all important
matters connected with the future of the
State of Kansas. The people of that beau
tiful Territory would soon speak. We
would soon have, he had no doubt, free
and quiet expression Of opinion. by means
OF the elective franchise, from that silent,
but most certain weapon of free people
the ballos-box. Should the enemies of
that mode of settling the much vexed ques-
tion of slavery in that territory, blindly
and obstinately refuse to exercise the rights
assured them by the laws of Congress, up
on their heads, and their heads alone. will
rest the fearful responsibility. For his
part he was satisfied that the Democratic
party in Congress had done their duty, and
he was equally well satisfied that the dem
ocratic party in the Territory of Kansas
would do theirs in manner gratifying to
tie heart of erery friend of the Constitu-
ton and the Union. faet]a ~