The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-03-02
eRss1orxr.-
WASHINGTON. Feb. Ia.


mission act.
- Mr.. Stuart, of Michigan, said thxt he
would vote against requiring the CENSUS
of Kansas to be taken. '}
The whole day has been occupied Ia
speaking on Mr.. Hale's amendment to-
repeal the restriction clause of the Kansas
act The discussion has taken a vide
range. But o few Democrats have vet
spoken. -
Mr.. Brown made heightened address
to the Northern Democrats, Messrs.
Douglas and Davis occupied several hours.
Mr.. Green made a long speech. Mcssrs.
Hunter and Gwin defined their positions,
and Mr., Broderick his. Mr.. Stuart went
over the history of non Intervention in
Legislation. h71 ga. - ~. - s.e,~
Mr.. Brown held to the doctrine; Of
States-rights, denied squatter sovereignty,
and threatened secession, with banner's
flying, if the South was deprived Of her
rights. His address was directed to-
Northern Democrats. He placed his views
frankly on record, and desired neither to
cheat not to be cheated. -
Mr.. Douglas felt it to be incumbent,
on him, as Northern Democrat, to make
reply. While he admired the frsnkness,
candor and directness with which tho
Senator from Mississippi had approached
the question, he, too, would put his opin-
ions on record in such manner as will
acquit him of the desire to cheat or to be
cheated. He agreed, at the outset, with
Mr.. Brown and with the decision of tie
Supreme Court that slaves are property,
and that their owners have a right TO car
ry them into the Territories, as any other
property having the right Of transit into
Territory The question arises how far
does the power of Territorial Legislature
extend to slave property and the reply is
to the same extent and no further than to
any other description of property. Mr..
Brown has said that slave property needs
more protection than any other descrip-
tion; If so, it is the misfortune of the
owners of that kind of property.
Mr. Douglas remarks. from frequent
interruption, assumed so much the form
of question and reply and running COM
ments on various issues stated, that we,
can only notice the salient points Of the
: discussion, which extended many hours.
Mr.. Douglas sustaining the principal part
: His general scope was, that he would leave
r all descriptions Of property, slaves inclu-
S ded, to the operation of the local law, aud
! would not have Congress interfere in any
: way Herewith. If the people Of o Terri
j tory want slavery, they Will foster and
n encourage it., Ifthey do not end it 10 be for
their advantage, they will do otherwise.
: So it becomes question Of soil, climate,
n production, &c. He illustrated by saying,
that if any discrimination is to be made
N between descriptions Of property, the ow-
ner Of stock ofliquorsor any Others might
n claim it likewise. After other Illustrations,
st he went into discussion Of the Kansas
g, Nebraska Bill, which was passed by the
lie distinct understanding between the North
tn ern and Southern Democrats, however
L. differing On some of the points, 70 give
S. Territorial legislatures the fnh power
a. with an appeal to tue Supreme Court Il
f. test the constitutionality of any law. bu
I'D n OF to Congress to repeal it.. If the Cour
e. dec ides that such d law is constitutional
it must stand; if not, it will fall to tn
on ground without the action Of Congress.
Sc The doctri:e of non-intervention b,
t. Congress with slavery in the States ant
tn Territories has been the fundamental prin
n ciple Of the Democratic platform. Ever,
Democrat is pledged to it by the Cincin
it natl Platform. nFe go ~ - .s''
ut Here Mr.. Douglas, in reply to i ques.
be ton put by Mr.. Clay, Of Alabama, who
fe also made the remark that, according t,
n Mr.. Douglas Interpretation Of squatte
rs sovereignty, it is superior to the Cohsti
in tuition. Mr.. Douglas replied that tn
ID, limit Of Territorial legislation is in ths
d. Constitution. In reply to Mr.. Clay
ka question, "Can . slave-owner take hi
by slave property into a Territory" he coul'
all reply yes, and hold it as other propert
p. there. tA''
tn Mr. Clay-H"will Congress pass la,
ng to protect other kinds Of property in Ter
to ritories?" q
-r Mr.. Douglas the doctrine tha
- Congress is to legislate . property an'
" persons without representation, is . doc
.st trine of the Parliament Of George H.
That brought on the Revolutionary Wal
itv We said then it was violation OF th
,le rights of power to assume to legislate 70
ee Englishmen without their Consent
ch Through legislation, now, is he douglas
on to be called on to force this same odiou
as. doctrine on the people OF Territories with
,rk out their consent7 He answered, nos d
in. them govern themselves. If they max
mo- good laws, let them enjoy the blessing;
by bad, let them suffer under them until n
ad pealed." .8,s ~ -; : 49,
er, Referring to the great battle fought /
an 1854 and 1855, he would like to knov
to haw many votes Mr.. Buchanan woul
w, have got in Pennsylvania and Ohio Il
nix had then understood the doctrine Of poT
eir ular sovereignty as he now claims TO do.
to Mr.. Douglas resumed: In 1856 }