Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-07-22

| platform appllcaOle 10 iHis slaVeTy question,
concurred in alike by Wings and Democrats,
in which it was declared to be the wish Of
our people that thereafter the people of the
Territories should be left perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institu-
tions in their own way, and that no limta-
tieu should be placed upon that right in any
form. tremendous applause =.
Hence what was my duty in 1854, when
it became necessary 10 bring forward bill
for the organization of the Territories Of
Kansas and Nebraska? Was it not my du-
tY, in obedience TO the Illinois platform, to
your standing instructions 10 your Senator'S,
adopted with almost entire unanimity, to in
corporate in that bill the great principle Of
sell-government, that it was .'ths true in
tent and meaning Of the act not TO legislate
slavery into any State or Territory, or to
exclude it therefrom, but to leave the peo-
pie thereof perfectly free to form and regu-
late their domestic institutions in their own
way, subject only to the Constitution of the
United States ?'' (Cries of eyes, yes
and eheers.) l did not incorporate that
principle in the Kansas Nebraska bill, and
perhaps did as much as any living man in
the enactment of that bill (great applause)
thus establishing the doctrine in the public
policy of the country. (Cries of ''good,"
and renewed applause.) then defend.d
that principle against assaults from one Sec
ton of the Union. .......
During this last winter it became my duty
10 vindicate it against assaults from the
other section Of the Union. (Cheers.) 1
yindicated it boldly and fearlessly, as the
people Of Chicago can bear witness, when
1t was assailed BY Freesoilers; ("yes, yes"
and cheers and during this winter vim
dicaied and defended it as boldly and as
teariessl y when it was attempted to be yio-
lated by the almost United South. (Immense
applause.) l pledged myselfto you on ev-
cry stump in Illinois in 1854, l pledged my
self 70 the people of other States, North
and South, wherever, spoke--and in the
United States Senate and elsewhere, in ev-
cry form which could reach the public
mind or the public ear, gave the pledge
that |, so far as the power should be in my
hands, would vindicate the principle of the'
people 10 form their own institutions, to es-
tabIish free States or slave States as they
chose, and that that principle should never
be violated either by fraud, by violence, by
or by any other means, fit
was in my power 10 prevent ii. (Applause.g
now submit to you, my fellow citizens,
whether have not redeemed that pledge in
good faith? (Cries of "yes, yes" and three
tremendous cheers.) Yes, my friends, I
have redeemed it in good faith, and it is
matter of heartfelt qualification to see thsss
assembled thousands here tonight bearing
their testimony TO the fidelity with which )
have advocated that principle and redeemed
NY pledges in connection with it. (Cheers.)
will be entirely frank with you. My
object was 10 secure the right of the people
't each State and OF each Territory, North
'r South, 10 decide the question themselves
% have slavery or not, just as they chose;
md my opposition to the Lecompton Consti-
a:ion was not predicated upon the ground
hat it was a pro-slavery constitution
cheers nor would my action have been
!if1erent had it been free-soil constitu-
ion. My speech against the Lecompton
raud, was made on the 9Th December,
while The vote on the slavery clauses il that
was not taken until the 2lst Of
he same monlh. nearly two weeks after.
made my speech against that LeoOmptoii
solely on the ground that it
vas violation Of the fundamental princi-
les, of free government; on the ground that
was not the act and deed of the people of
Kansas; that it did not embody their will;
hat they were averse TO ii; and hence | de-
lied the right of Congress TO force it rpci1
hem, either as free State or slave State.
Bfavo.l deny the right 10 force free
'tate upon an unwilling people. [Cheors,]
deny their right 10 force good lhing up
n people who are unwilling 10 receive il.
Cries of GOOD, good" aud cheers.
The great principle is the right of every
ommunity 10 judge and decide for itself,
whether thing is right or wrong, whether
would he good or evil fer them 10 adop.
I; and the right Of free action, and the right
I free thought, the right of free Judgment
pom the question is dearer to every true
American than any other under free Gov
My objection TO the Lecompton
Onirivance was that it undertook to put a
Dnstituton on the people Of Kansas against
ieir will, in opposition 10 their wishes,
nd thus violated the great principle upon
TSer 10 the argument to say that slavery is
. evil and hence Should moi. Be tolerated.
GU must allow the people 70 decide for
lemseives whether it is a good or an evil.
on allow them TO decide for themselves
heIher they desire Maine Liquor Law
not; you allow them 10 decide Tor them
lives what kind of common schools they
i'll have; what system of banking they
i'll adopt, or whether they will adopt, any
all; YOU allow them 10 decide. for them
Ives the relations between, husband and
ile, parent and child, and guardian and
ard; in fact, you allow them to decide for
emselyes all other questions, and why not
this question? [Cheers.] Whenever
" put a limitation upon the right Of any
,ople 10 decide any laws they want, you
ye destroyed the fundamental principle OF
i government. lCheers. 3 ~
In connection with this subject, perhaps
will not be improper for me on this occa-