American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-09-16


When Judge Douglas was called upon
last winter to give affect to the right of the
Nissour;ans to reclaim their slaves esca-
pine into Kansas. by votingfor The amend
ment offered By Mr.. Pugh, of Ohio. exten.
ding. among other general laws of Con-
Rress, the Fugitive,Slave Law Of that Tar
ritory. he astonislied every Democrat 10
Congress by voting against the amendment
+ and against the democratic members, in
company with Seward, Wade and Hale
He Is free to acknowledge the abstract
light Of tile Slave boiler TO a reclamation
Of his fugitive sl,ve; but, in avoiding to
vote at all on the on the original passage
oi'the Fugiliye-Slave Law in 1850. and in
voting directly, at the last session Of Con-
}fEFess, against is extension over Kansas
be has shown his determination not 10 make
himself a.paIty to any act giving effect aud
vitality, to that iifht.
He now assumes in his Illinois canvas
the same position in regard TO the Dred
4 Scott decision that be las heretofore oc.
CUPID on the fugitive slave law He Is
willing 10 acknowledge the abstract con
stituli,naliiy of the decision. He is will
ling TO allow that Southern citizen may
carry his slaves into the Territories OF the
Union and hold them in bondage II he can
but he MAINTAINS that the authorities in the
Territories are under no obligations 10 pro-
tect him in his constitutional rights. nnt
are at full liberty to thwart and Dulify thiI
right, and TO 'excude" his slave, by re-
IusinR that protoctin Of local law, without
which no property can be enjoyed.
y
He contends for the right OF the terrific
rial Legislature elected by tbs squatters, tc
refuse the remedies necessary TO protect
southern Immigrant in the enjoyment Of
his property. II Northern man is de
y priveu Of bis land, rrobbe1 Of his horse
or his purse. the Territorial Legislator
will be bound by his oath and duty to en-
act laws providing for the punishment o
the offender. and the prompt restitution o
the property. But ifa Southern man i
ret upon and beaten by his negro slave, o
little slave is seduced to run away. or il
kidnapped by white neighbor, then, tn
opinion OF Judge Douglas, the Terrioria
Legislator is lot bound under his oath tc
support the Constitution OF tho United
States. to enact the Legal and proper rem
edieI for these wrongs. If the right I,
h5id slaves in Territory is constitutions
right. then is it the duty Of the Tsrriloria
Legislature and Courts, under their ollic,
20 protect the enjoyment Of this right
Judge Douglas subscribes to the idea o
the ''abstraoP right but laughs at the i'd,
OF furnishing remedies and the means O
enforcine" IT,
The evident obiectof Judge Douglas !
procaiming this doctrine in Illinois. is t
make capital with the Black Itepublica
party. He gives the kernal Of the decis
ion to the South, but insists, when befor
the Black Republicans. upon doctrin
which would secure them all the meat
He would tempt slavery into tie terriiorie
by barren concession OF tho absrat
right TO Garry slaves thithsr; aud he appeA
10 the dishonesty OF the Black Republican
by pointing out to them ho v they may 70
the SoulherneTs Of their slaves after lnIin
them into The territory. Wecan immagin
no position on any question which involve
profouhder swindla or more ourageou
cheat. "SoulherGers, YOU may come
bringing your slaves. Abolitiohists, yo
may rob them Of their slaves as soon a
they fairly settle themselves in tie terrific
iies." Such is the statesmanship, such
the honor, such is the hones'y, OF Stephe
A. Douglas.