The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-15

clearing out of the den of rogues and rowdies
in the City Hall and its environs
The men comprising the conventions and COM
mittees of all the parties who are to make the
nominations for the December election are al
ready chosen, and ii may be instructive to know
how many of them are Office holders and nom
taxpayers, and what kind of nominations we
may expect from that class. We shall endeavor
to spread the record before our readers.
The Illinois Cnmpaign--A Pecuniary Raid on
Wall Strent.
We understand that quite deputation of
Illinois politicians have arrived in this CITY, for
the purpose of raising funds on behalf Of
Judge Douglas, to carry on the present cam
paign and secure his reelection to the Senate
To those desiring a permanent investment no
better opportunity could offer, and the success
of these political fnanciers is therefore certain
Douglas stock will doubtless carry Wall street
by storm, and throw all the other fanoies in the
shade.
Seriously, however it must be pretty evident,
even to his most ardent admirers, that the re-
suit Of Judge Douglas contest in Illinois is very
doubtful Notwithstanding the extraordinary
efforts being made in his behalf-the pilgrimages
of Southern politicians and the letters from
Southern Presidential aspirants--it is manifest
that his victory is to be won, If won at all, out
of the fire. From the first, his desertion of the
party with which he had identified himself can
be traced to desire to make friends with the
republicans Of his State; and yet at this mo-
ment, II is doubtful ifhe has succeeded in rally
ing single convert from that side to his stan
daxd. The fight, as II now stands, presents the
republicans ~ united party against him,
whilst his denunciation of the President
and the policy Of the administration has,
to say the least, given such offence to
large number of the party he formerly be-
longed to, as to render IL morally certain they
will make no efforts to secure his reelection.
Under these circumstances the return OF an
anti-Douglas Legislature may be safely pre-
dicted.
II these general reasons for the conolu-
sion that Judge Douglas must probably
vacate his seat in the Senate on the 18th
Of March next, are entitled to weight his recent
speech ct Freeport shows to what despe-
rate expodients he Is forced to resort to try and
secure . portion Of the free soil vote, without
which he, In 40 many words, proclaims his des-
pair Of success. In that speech, being cornered
by his opponent, Mr.. Lincoln, be repudiatcd the
decision of the Supreme Court, and proclaimed
himself the advocate Of the higher law doctrine.
lie says
The next question Mr. Lincoln propounded To mo L.
Can the people Of Territory exclude slavery from their
limits By any fair before comes into the Unlon
. Slater ] answer emrhaiicaliy, ~ yr. Lincoln has
heard me answer q hundred times every stump In
a mesp sscaSe ,ps Gao
State NO matter what rsy be the do.
cson Of the Supreme Court ibs, abstract question stu
free Territory perfect and complete under the Nebraska
bin
And Mr. Douglas takes the ground that no
matter what may be the opinion Of the Su.
preme Court as to the constitutional power or .
State Legislature to exclude slavery, they should
exercise that power, even although il may be 10
direct violation Of the constitution itself The
opinion of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott
case Is clear and emphatic upon this point.
After deciding that Congress had no power 70
prohibit slavery In Territory, the conclusion
is arrived at
N Congress itself cannot DO ths-if 10 beyond the
DO gers conferred the federal 9overnmsnt-N will be
admitted, We preyume, that could not authorize Terri
toyiA government 70 exercise them II could confer
power any local government established by is auiho
rty 10 violate the provisions Of the constitution
And II The constitution recognizes The right Of property
of the master in q slave ana makes no distinction be
tween that description n property and other property
owned By citizen, 20 reunsl seing under the auihor
jadcal, has right 70 drsw such distinction deny 70
the benefit q ths provision. and guarantees which have
been provided for the protection Of private property
against the eucroachments Of the government
The Supreme Court decides that the consti-
tuition has given no power TO the general go
vernment to prohibit slavery in a Territory,
and that the Territorial Legislature, which de-
rives all its authority from Congress, cannot
possess greater power than the source whence
Il emanates Judge Douglas, on the other
hand. ignores the Supreme Court and The con
stimtion, and eDdeevora by a pitiful quibble-
as the champion OF n higher law doctrine, under
the plea that the Nebraska act in fact overridcs
the constitutional gain the ear Of his free soil
opponents The experiment, however. has not
been eminently successful, for we find the Chi
cago Tl7Jme-the leading republican organ
thus abiding to it,
Mr. Douglas latest position on the Droi SC ~ decision
dsasef 10 them the republicans Of Illinois, than
the doctrines CT the dtcsscn hsef We believe that
know the sentiments ci the party 10 hs state, and de
clare that they ready 10 abide ths decisions Of the
srrtme Court on the slavery question, a. long they
srethe av Of the land and nowhere IN our ranks should
We lcok for 70 mean and petty AZ expoden AZ that en-
pcyed b. Mr. Douglas 70 get rid or the operation of what
the Court bm decided win decide, 70 be in accordance
with The constitution aud the laws.
The refusal Of the President and biz admnie-
tretiOn to place any confidence in Mr.. Douglas
or TO advocate bic re election 70 the Senate,