The Nevada Democrat., 1858-11-24
Douglas FreepOrt Speech.

that the Illinois Senator ''had forever separated
himself from the Democratic party In max
Ing this announcement they hut followed in the
wake of the Washington Onion, New York
Herald, aud other shining lights OF Leeompton-
ism. The heretical portion of bis speech, of
course, was that relating to the "nigger ques-
tlon," and be merely reiterated what has long
been an admitted fact by all the leadipg Demo-
Gratis of the country. In order to show that
the position of Judge Douglas is not novel, we
| give below the remarks attributed to him, to-
gether with extracts from the speeches OF a num-
Der of other gentlemen, who hold to views pre-
clsely similar. The extracts, we find in the
Washington States. In the discussion at Free
port. August 9th, between the Illinois rivals
Douglas, in answer to question 2ropounded
| by Lincoln, said
The next question Mr.. Lincoln propouuded
TO me is: Can the people Of Territory ex-
/ clude slavery from their limits, by any fair
means before II comes into the Union as a
slater answer emphatcally. as MIR. Lincoln
has heard me answer hundred times, on eve
ry stump in Illinois, that, in my opinion, the
people OF Territory can, by lawful means, ex-
ciude slavery before IL comes in rs State. Mr.
Lincoln knew that had given that answer
over aud over again. He heard me argue the
Nebraska Bill on that principle, all over the
State, in lS54'55 aud $50, and he has now no
excuse to pretend TO have any doubt upon that
subject. Whatever the Supreme Court may
hereafter decide, us to the abstract questi )n Of
whether slavery may go in under the Constitu-
! ton or not, the people of Territory have the
lawful means to admit it or exclude it, us they
please for the reason that slavery cannot exist
a day or an hour anywhere unless supported by
local police regulations, furnishing remedies
aid means of enforcing the right to hold slaves.
Those local and police regulations can only be
furnished 10y the local Legislature Ii the peu-
pie OF The Territory are opposed TO slavery,
they will elect members 10 the Legislature who
will adopt uniriendly legislation to il. If they
are for II. they will adopt the legislative meas
ures friendly to slavery. Hence, no matter
what may be the decision of The Supreme Court
on that abstract question: still the right Of the
people to make II a slave Territory or a free
Territory is perfect aud complete under the Ne
braska Bill"
1t Will be seen that Douglas was speaking of
positive facts, aud told what could be done, not
What Should be done. He showed that the mere
abstract right 10 bring slaves into a Territory,
was practically useless, unless a majority Of the
people of the Territory were friendly 10 the in-
st tuition Tor even if they did not possess the
right to exclude slavery, there was no power
that could compel them TO pass laws protecting
the Institution. Ou this point, Hon. JAS l..
Orr, OF South Carolua, the prcsen; Speaker
OF the House, is clear and explicit. In a
! debate in the House Of Representatives, in
December 1856, on the power Of Congress over
slavery in the Territories Mr.. Orr said
81 say, although deny that squatter sover-
eighty exists in the Territories of Kansas and
Nebraska by virtue OF this bill. il Is a matter
practically of little consequence whether it does
or not aud think shall be ab to satisfy the
gentleman of that. The gentleman knows that
III every tlaveholding community Of this Union
we have local legislation aud local police reg
ulatlons apperlalning to that institution,
without which, the institution would moi
only be valuless, Lut curse to the commit
nIty. Without them, the slaveh older could not
enforce his rights when invaded by others; and
it you had no local legislation for the purpose
uf giving protection the institution won I'd be Of
no value. | can appeal to every gentleman up
on this liOOr who represents Il slaveholding con-
stltuency, 10 attest the truth of what have
stated upon that pont.
Now, the Legislative authority Of Terrific
ry is vested with discretion TO vote for or
against the LAWS. We think they ought to pass
laws in every I rrtOry. when The Territory is
open to settlement. aud shareholders go there,
to protect slave property. Bat if they decline
TO pass such laws, what is the remedy? None,
sir. II the majority Of the people are opposed
to the Institution, aud il they do not desire il
engratted upon their territory, all they have to
do, Is simply to decline TO pass laws In the Ter
ritorial legislature for its protection, aud then,
IL is as well excluded as il the power was in
vested in the Territorial legislature, and exer-
cscd by them, TO prohibit it. Now, | ask the
gentleman. wha. is the practical Importance TO
result from the agitation and discussion of this
question as TO whether squatter sovereignty
does or does not exist? Practically 1t is mat
ter OF little moment"
1t will be seen that the views of Douglas and
Orr are Identical. If Douglas took himself out
OF the Democratic party for expressing his views
in 1858. Orr must have taken himself out Of the
party in 1856. for the party platform has not
been changed since the latter expressed the
same viows as Douglas.
In discussing this subject, Mr.. A. II. Stephens
Of Ga, in June, 1856, in the House of Repre-.
sentatives, said
although my own opinion is that the people
under the limitations OF the Constitution, have
not the rightIu power to exclude slavery so
long as they remain in territorial condition,
vet | am willing that they may determine
it for themselves aud when they please. | shall
never negative any law that they may pass, II
it il the result of a fair legislative expression
Of the popular will. Never! l am willing that
the Territorial Legislature may act upon the
,ubjcct when aad how they may think proper :"
Samuel A. Smith, Of Tennessee. ia the House
Of Representa- lives, Oh the 9th of June said
~ have never regarded the difference OF
opinion between Northern aud Southern gem
llemen upon "squatter sovereignty" as OF any
Importance. | have held that ia Territorial
capacity the settlers had not the right to ex-
clude slavery. Yet majority of the people in
Territory will decide the question after all.
lD Territory We must have laws not to es-
lish but to protect the Institution Of slavery :
AID if a majority Of the prOple OF Territory
are opposed 10 the institution they will refuse