Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-07-01

Correspondence
SENATOR DOUGLASS SPEECH AT SPRING.
EIEI,D. ILLINOIS ON THE KANSAS CUES
ZION THE DRIED SCOTT DECISION, AND
AFFAIRS IN UTAH.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL, June IL, 1857.
MEssRs EDITORS 1t is not an uncommon tnhg
for etter-wrters, when abiding to the speeches. oi
distinguished men, frequently to characterize the
last effort of the orator as the pest OF MS NE anu
to the usual rule in speaking of the truly great
speech which have just heard from the lips OF our
distinguished senator.
am sure that not one of the thousands of delight
ed democrats who had the pleasure Of hearing Judge
Douglas this evening will feel disposed to join issue
with me in the above opinion-nay, very much
doubt if the honorable senator himself, many and
powerful the speeches he has delivered. would
feel that he would be doing justice to himself to deny
that not SUPERIOR certainly equal to any OF
his best efforts
As you may seem somewhat surprised on learn
ing that the Judge who had not contemplated max
ing any speeches 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 sur
prise to him as it gratifying DISAPPOINTMENT
to his many admirers and friends in Central ILL
nois. o. - s
On "Wednesday last the grand jury of the United
States court now holding its session IN TINS CITY,
unanimously passed resolution requesting senator
Douglas, who temporarily on visit to some
friends in this city, to express his views upon three
of the most important topics now asitating the
minds of the American peope-to wit! "Kansas,
s'the bred Scott decision" and ''afairs in Utah"
The grand jury in body waited upon the Judge,
and, after presenting their action, requested that ne
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 now propose
briefly to alude to, touching only on the strong
points of his really able and convincing speech.
The large hall of the house of representatives.
galleries. lobbes and approaches were densey pack
ed by of the largest, most intelligent and most
discriminating audiences quite number OF whom
were ladies' which were ever congregated IN our
city.
Ex-Governor Matteson was the presiding officer
assisted by Hon. w. c. Cloudy, of Fulton, and Col
j. S. Hacker, Of Union, as secretaries
The distinguished speaker commenced by stating
the reasons that induced him to forego his determn-
alton of not addressing his constituents during the
recess of Congress, and said that request coming
from such distinguished source he did not think
he had right to Decline especially he always re.
cognsed the rights of the people at any time to call
upon their public servants for their opinions upon
any of the great political questions upon which they
had to pass in Judgment. His views were always
freely given and as fearessy acted upon, and were
to be taken for just what they worth and no
more. Upon 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 judgment he had so often advan
ced in the Senate and before the people.
He spoke of the fairness and justice of the law
giving the people opportunity of expressing their
honest convictions on the subject of slavery in
constitutional manner, by means Of a constitutional
convention soon to meet, to decide that and all 9th.
er important matters connected with The future Of
Tho Sf,fo of Tbo y1oo f % hoou
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 ballot box. Should the enemies of that mode
of settling the muchvexed question of slavery in
that Territory blindly and obstnatey refuse to ex.
ercise the rights assured them by the laws of Con-
gress upon their heads and theirs aione will rest the
responsibility For his part, he satisfied the
democratic party in Congress had done their duty and
he was equally we'll satisfied that the democratic
party in the Territory of Kansas would do theirs in
manner gratifying to the heart Of every friend Of
the constitution and the Union.
He next alluded to the decision of the Supreme
Court in the bred Scott He said before the
opinion OF the court was regularly and legally pro-
mugated, upon the mere newspaper report that
such decision had been made, fierce onslaught had
heen made, not only upon that honored tribunal,
collectively, but the personal and private characters
of the judges were bitterly and Indignantly assaed
and villifed. Even the venerable and noble Chief
Justice, who for forty years had governed the conn
try and the bench in his capacity of lawgiver-even
he with the SHOWS Of eighty winters upon his
rable head, and the experience Of nearly century
OF wisdom and learning-he, than whom purer pa
trlo an ADLER urist or better citizen, does not and
never has lived-this man, so high and pure IN his
great office, was selected by these malicious archers
who defy all law, for their most envenomed shafts
and their most wicked and malignant enmity At
ter passing high and beautiful eulogium upon the
other judges, and descantng upon the terrible re-
suits that must certainly should the treasona.
BILE counses of the leaders of the republican party
be followed, he asked 'what there to justify such
course?" We are vauntingly told in all the re.
publican papers that free people arc to rise in the
majesty OF their strength and resist at all hazards
the application OF the decision in this case as rule
OF law in this country. He adhered to the doctrine
that this government is a government of laws and
every free and patriotic citizen is bound to uphold
the supremacy of the laws at all hazards and against
all opposition, come from what quarter it may In
such contest political parties must divide between
the friends of the constitution and the laws and the
enemies of all law. When that contest comes he
had faith to believe that fully nine-tenths of the
American people would be found rallying under our
glorious banner of the stars, and battling for the
same nestimable blessings that our forefathers bat
tied for-a constitution, country, and govern
ment of laws. Beneath such flag, with the con.
sutution and the supremacy of the laws emblazoned
on its glittering folds
nMhere breathes the foe but falls before u.s.
With freedoms soil beneath our feet
And freedoms banner waving Ger us?"
II the republican party desired to force such
contest upon us, in Gods name let it come! The
democratic party, and the honest and rejecting cti.
zens Of all parties would rally to the rescue
He reviewed the main points of the decision at
length, and said there were substantially but two
propositions in the decision first, the Supreme
court ct the United States has decided that negro
porn OF slave parents cannot be citizen of this Tn
ion: and, secondly, that the act Of March, 1920;