The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-21
JUDGE DOUGLAS ON THE ILLINOIS ELF,
TI0N.
REMARKS AT THE CELEBRATION AT CHICAGO
NOVEMBER H. 1883

M
heartfelt thanks for this magnificent dsmonsuaton m.
democracy of Illinois have acheyeda noble victory sf
this combined forces of abolitionism and its allies
lCheers You have right TO be proud of this gloros
triumph II is the triumph of the constitution oyti
faction it is the triumph Of the glorious principles a
the Union anaticsn and sectionalism, Applause
ii is the triumph OF the principles Of self government
congressional interference and Executive dctatiop
Immense applause.
-Four months ago l opened the canvass in d speeeb
from this balcony several thousand Of my fellow,t
zens appear before you TO receive the oongraua
tons of many thousands rejoicing our great
While it is right and proper that you should
rejoice at the success of sound constitutional principle
which insure peace and harmony TO the republic il our
duty to enjoy victory with moderation. With the
result of this election let all the aspees, the excite
mens and angry passions which have been aroused dsr
ing the contest be buried forever IL is neither Just nor
magnanimous TO rejoice yanquished foe iCheers
Let teach political opponents that although we
have trumphed the victory ID for their good well as
ours. Great applause When we put sound, just
and constitutional principles into practical opera
tion In this government, the republicans enjoy the
blessings thus conferred well the democrats
Good, good, and cheers IL is right, Therefore
that all should rejoice in our triumph but it is our
duty TO be kind, generous, and magnanimous towards
those whom have differed with in opinion. Checs
Let us remember that while we divided into political
parties and separated from each other by antagonkC
principles yet citizens of common republic all
the glories of past history, and we will trust
that postenty VIII share common destiny The
blessings of the government in all time to Jap
plause This Union by the constitution, has conferred
upon it the greatest legacy that Divine Providence has
ever conferred upon free people Hear, hear. let
that constitution be administered our fathers made it
let that bond of union which binds these States together
continue forever each State retaining its sovereign rights
disposing of its own internal affairs, aud regulating its
own domestic institutions 10 suit itself lCheers Let
that great principle OF popular sovereignty which under
lies our republican institutions be carried out in good
faith in the States and Territories alike Cheers Let
Illinois regulate her affairs model her institutions
cording TO her wishes, and mind her business
permitting every other State to do the same thing
Ioheers and there will then be concord and fratema
feeling among the different States of the Union. Re
newed cheering.
We must discard forever that fatal heresy which
breaches that this Union, divided into free aud slave
States as our fathers made 1t, cannot endurethat false
treachery which says that these States must all become
free or all become savehat they must become all one
thing all the other should he forgotten forever Zap
pause and the great principles Of popular sovereignty
of State rights and State sovereignty should prevail de-
caring the right of the people Of each State and each
Territory to manage their affairs In their way
subject only to the constitution. Three cheers When
that principle shall be recognised and proclaimed by all
the American people, North and South, there will then
be peace and harmony and fraternity among all the
States of this conederacy good, and applause but 50
long that monstrous political horesy shall prevail that
the North nnst combine against the South to abolish
slavery everywhere and that the South must combine
must be sectional strife between the North and the
South for the ascendancy long there will be dsco
strife aud hatred between the different sections OF
the Union [slhat's it. and applause That great is
sue was directly and distinctly submitted to the people
of Illinois at the recent election and thank God the
principles of the constitution and the Union have t
IMPLIED Immense applause.l Illinois now stands as
she has stood, faithful to the constitution and the
Union Illinois stands she has ever stood immo-
vablc upon democratic principles, maintaining the dem
ocratic organization. Six cheers Every other free
State in this Union ut time has wheeled out OF line,
except gallant Illinois. Tremendous applause From
the day that Illinois entered this confedcacy, up to this
hour she has cast her vote for democratic candidates
for the presidency aud vice presidency at every succeed
ing election. Renewed applausc.l And yet you have
been told that the only State that has failed to
stand by the democratic organization and vote for the
democratic candidates President is to be read
of that party by those States which have all gone abo
ton When this dark cloud of fanatcisni which has
spread over the New England States rolled New
York. completely overwhelmed Pennsylvania, Indiana,
and Ohio and reached in its the Wabash river
there met by the gallant united democracy Of Hi
nos who turned back the tide and kept the flag OF the
constitution and the Union floating their beloved
State. Cheers
The victory you are now celebrating is one never to
be forgotten for it is the triumph Of Union consi.
tutionsl men f,naticism sectonasn, and dsunon
TC;reat applause. When the old sectional parties united
against the federal constitution and Union the national
men, whether wings democrats or by whatever other
name they might be called united to maintain that
stution to preserve the Union and drive back the dark
fatal cloud of sectional animosy. Sound doctrine,
and applause. Illinois occupies the proud position
Of having fought the good fight Illinois is greeted
all over the Union-North and South, East and West
the only northern State that not overwhelmed IN
the recent elections. Cheers, To what cause 40 tOc
democracy of Illinois this triumph 1t is due to
fidelity to principle. Applause u Illinois the trie
principle of popular sovereignty has been sustained IN
Illinois the Cincinnati platform has been strictly ad-
hered to in Illinois the democratic organization has
been maintained Six cheers and ng-contnued enhu-
siam In Illinois there have been new tests inerpo,
lated into the democratic platform, applause in ILL
neis democrats have nevr been prosecuted because
differences Of opinion, provided they remained inside
the democratic party and abed the usages of Its ogan
zation cheers in Illinois liberal tolerant Just, and
generous policy has prevailed aud in Illinois glorious
triumph has rewarded that policy. Applause
Now my friends the result in this State contrnsted
with the disasters Others furnishes lesson Let the
bitterness that has been excited let the angry passions
that have been aroused be buried with the contest out
which they arose IGood and cheers Let us meet ouf
felow-ctzens who differed with ia politics the same
if there had been angry feeling engondered Hs
duty to consolidate the party to begin to com
bne forces for the future, in order that we may pre-
sent full united invincihe front to abolitionism ana
all of its allied armies Cheers II wise and patriotic
councils prevail the great battle of popular sove
eighty has been fought and the victory won forever
Checrs If expect to maintain our liberties as on,
fathers transmitted them to s must be vgiant ana
watchfu preserving organization and ever ready
present united and irresistible front to tho cornmon
enemy wherever he makes his appearance. lCbeesJ ,
My friends, will renew to you my grateful anu
profound Acknowledgements for the magnificent demon
straton which you have made tonight When arINeu
home on the 10th of July last, and was welcomed W
such countless mutitudes, expected again 10 M
such crowd ['sIhis tx not half what we can ao,