True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-11-17
Douglas and Popular Sovereignty
Trinmnhant.


No 6opular election since the founda-
ton of our government has so universally
excited.the public interest as that which
has just taken place in Illinois. II was
not the Popular Sovereignty issue alone
which attracted so much attention, but it
was the personal matter between Douglas
and Me President that intensified the
public feeling and added ferceness TO the
contest.
Douglas had dared, as a Senator from
Illinois, 10 differ with the President on
single question. That question was one
on which the Senator had staked his polil-
ical fortunes as well as the peace of the
country, and had fought the great battles
of '54.5 upon it while ihe President was
in Europe, out of harms way, basking in
the sunshine of a foreign court, and en-
joying his regalias in Hyde Park.
1t was the great question of Popular
Sovereignty as laid down in the Kansas
Nebraska bill, and which changed the
whole policy Of this government in regard
10 lis action upon slavery in the territories.
Mr.. Douglas, as the acknowledged author,
the able expounder apd the bold defender
of that new policy, assumed the right to
speak his own sentiments upon that sub.
ject, and that of the people Of Illinois,
whom he in part represented. and by
whom he had been expressly instructed.
The Leconip,ou constitution as recon.
mended BY the President, he disowned as
a legitimate offspring Of that principle fol
which he had so long and so ably contend
ed. 1t was attempted 10 be crammet
0 down his throat by the power of Execu
tive threats and denunciation. Unterrifiet
he resisted, and with what success the
country need not now be told. Suffice i
to say, Lecompton aOas laid out stiffeneC
corse, and went back to the people
q where it was silently and contemptuousy
9 buried from mortal sight. The Senator
o went home 10 his constituents, and ap
pealed to the popular tribunes for tn
justification Of his course. The proscrip
u ton of the President followed him. = Iii
n friends like the children Of Israel, b.
i. Hamsn "were slaughtered in all thei
4 coasts" Every Democrat in posito
who did not denounce him, was depose
; and dsgraced, so far as Executive malic
n could effect II. The vials Of Executiv
le wrath we're poured out upon his devote
!. head, through the Presidents ofici;
= organ-the Union-and through Jesse
. lights established for that express purpose
= "Tray, Blanch, and Sweatheat,
ID - Little dogs and all.
It, were let loose upon him, each yelpin
ar responsive 10 the Others note, and follow
ing al his heels. Such sight was new
before witnessed in tAs country, an
God grant that it may never be agai'
TO The President Of this great natien, ih
or acknowledged head of The Democrat
U. party, the man who had been hcnored b
all every Office in the peoples gift; siool
from his high position, and condescen
an to use the power and patronage Of b
be station to put down aIsingle individual
I'D a single State Of This Union, to T" crui
ies out {" ali luhble person who has dol
Ee more fighting for the rights OF The peopl
nd ando;hss rendered more service to- II
ci- party and 10 his country than any 9th
Iol living man