Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-03-04
The Harmonious Democracy.
Debate in the Senate,


Senate, on Wednesday of last week. It will be
seen that though Mr.. Douglas on this occasion,
voted with the Republicans, he took care 10 en-
doIse the bred Scott decision, and the doctrine
of property in man. The special harmony "
and " uni, - of the democracy will be very OBJ
servable in the first part of the debate.
The Executive etc. Appropriation bill was
taken up. The question REQUIRED on Mr.. Hale's
amendment, repeating the restrictive clause in
the Kansas act.
Mr.. Stuart of Michigan said he would vote
against taking a census of Kansas.
Mr. Seward of N. ", said that Congress had
decided that Kansas might come in under the
Lecompton Constitution without reference to
populations but not otherwise unless she had
90, 400 Inhabitants. Here was discrimination
against freedom and in favor of slavery. Ore
gon, because she was Democratic Stale, was
admitted without reference to population, and
Kansas, because of different politics, was ex-
cluded. He was glad of this occasion to renew
his vote. He was glad also that so many gen
llemen on the other side will give Kansas fair
hearing. II indicates that the time is coming
when any State applying for admission will be
heard on its merits, apart from all other consld-
eratons that if Texas should divide, or if free
as free States.
MIR. Brown of Mississippi, made strong
Southern speech. He held 10 the doctrine Of
States rights, denied the squatter sovereignty Of
Territories and threatened secession with BAN
ners flying, if the South was deprived of her
rights His address was directed to the North
ern Democrats. He placed his views frankly
on record, and desired neither to cheat nor be
cheated.
MIR Douglas of Illinois felt it incumbent on
! him as a Northern Democrat to make a reply.
He admired the fran<uess, candor and direct
ness with which Mr. Brown had approached the
question. He, (Douglas) too, would put his
opinions on record in such manner as will ac-
quit him, ais ., of desire to cheat or be cheat
ed. He agreed at the outset with MIR. b.
and with the decision of the Supreme Court,
that slaves are property, and that their owners
have the same right to carry them into the Ter.
litories as any other property. Having the right
of transit into The Territories, the question arises
how far does the power of the Territorial Legs-
laiure extend TO slave property and the reply
is, to the same extent and no further than TO
any other description of property. MIR. Brown
has said that slave property needs more protec-
lion than any other description II so, it is the
misfortune of the owners of that kind of prop
erty.
After some other illustrations, he went into
a discussion of the Kansas Nebraska bill, which
he said was passed by distinct understanding
! between Northern and Southern Democrats
however differing on some points, to give 10 the
Territorial Legislature full power, with appeal
, to the Supreme Court TO test the constitutional
ity Of any law, but not TO Congress to repeal it.
Ii the Court decides such law TO be constitution.
al it must stand if not it must fall to the ground
without action Of Congress. That doctrine o.
non-uteryeniion by Congress with slavery II
. the States and Territories, has been iuuda
mental principle of the Democratic platform
l and every Democrat is pledged 70 it By the Gin
cinnat platform.
Here Mr.. Douglas--in reply TO question by
Mr.. Clay, who also made the remark that, &C
cording to Mr. Douglas Interpretation, Squat
ter sovereignty is superior to the Constitution
said that the limit OF Territorial Legislation i
z the organic act and the Constitution.
: In reply to Mr.. Clay's question, Can slave
holder take his property into the Territory
he would reply, yes, and hold II as other prop
= erty. TO the question, Will Congress pass
law 10 protect oher kinds Of property in The
Territories he wonld answer, no for the doc
5 trine that Congress has a right TO legislaie o
IS property and pers without representation, !!
S he doctrine of the Parliament of George th
Third, that brought on the Revolutionary wal
We said that it was a violation Of the rights o
power to assume TO legislate for Engshme
- without their consent now was he douglas
IS to be called to force this same odious docirn
IL on the people OF the Territories without thei
:. consent2 He answered, no. Let them cover
u themselves. If they make good laws, let theE
d enjoy the blessings-if bad, let them suffer unit
:. they are repealed.
Referring TO the great battle fought and gair
Y. ed in 1876, he would like to know how man
IS votes Mr.. Buchanan would have got in Penn
syvania or Ohio, if he had then understood tn
y doctrine of popular sovereignty as be claims
h now?
q Mr. Bigler of Pennsylvania, asked how man
votes Mr. Buchanan would have received
r 1856, had the Senator from Illinois, and lhos
Of who acted with him, told the people that III
;, Kansas act was not intended to extend to tn
; Territories the sacred right of self oyernmen
but simply to give the people the right to pet
ton for redress of grievance right not denie
to any citizen, white or black
: Mr. Douglas said there are no colored cit
zens, and he trusted in 6 VI there never woul
III be. He did not recognize the black brothers.
Mr.. l,igler knew that as well as the Senate
and should have said inhabitants
MIR. Douglas resumed In 1856 he took Ii
ie same ground as now, and Mr. Buchanan, whe
. he accepted the nomination, took the SAN
IN ground. His letter Of acceptance to the Gin
cinnau Convention shows that the people Of fl
y. Territories shall decide whether slavery shou
or should not exist within their limits Whe
10 gentlemen called for Congressional ntervento
they step off the Democratic platform. HI
az Douglas asserted that the Democratic creed ";
of non-intervention by Congress, and the right
A the people to govern themselves. He wouI
tell gentlemen of the South that no Democrat
e candidate can carry one State North but on Il
primes lies Of the Cincinnati platform, as co
strued by Mr.. Buchanan when he accepted h
al nomination, and which he. Douglas, stood he
"a TO defend.
X Mr.. Davis of Mississippi, replied TO NJ
" Douglas deliberately, denying that he (Dougla
i rightly interpreted the obligations of the Der
ie- ocratic party.
tic Mr.. Pugh Of Ohio, said Mr.. Brown had ask,
"A if Northern Democrats would vote for Congre
sional Intervention to protect the people again
n local legislation. He would answer-nevel
his 1t is monstrous II is against the plghted fai
bolh of the South and the North Mr.. Pu