Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-07-07
Douglas Letter.

W. copy below an extract from a'recent let
Ger Of the Washington Correspondent of the
New York Courier and Enquirer:
g." There is no material difference in doctrine
between Mr.. Douglas and the most extreme
Southern leaders. They only demand positive
legislation by Congress for the protection of
Slavery in the Territories. Judge Douglas con-
cedes that Slaves are property in the Territories
as well as in the Slave States, and that, such,
ownership in them is protected by the Constitu-
tion lie refers all questions which may arise
as to the mode of furnishing this protection, to
] the Supreme Court and its subordinate tribunals
Now, can any sensible man entertaina doubt
that the Supreme Court.is more thoroughly de-
voted to Slavery, thon Congress'is? The Court
is altogether Democratic and Southern, with the
exception Of enc of its members Congress is
already half emancipated, and there is some
prospect that it may draw the langs of Slavery,
and render the institution innoxious in Its in
auence over national legislation, and at the
same tine wrench from the Supreme Court its
usurped functions. The doctrine of Judge
Douglas is far mere dangerous to popular liber-
ty than that of Congressional Intervention, and
beside, by poisoning the fountain of justice, has
a tendency to bring the judiciary into odium
and contempt, IL the Southern people were
left to themselves, they would soon come round
to the position of Mr. Douglas"
Our readers will see that the views there en-
forced are the same, respecting thereal merits
of Douglas position, as those which we have
from time to time enforced. That Douglas
means to be the candidate of the Democracy of
the Union for the next President, cannot admit
Convention at Charleston, he will accept of
the nomination there is just as little doubt
That his recent letter was written for political
effect at the North and to give him such pop
ularity here that there would be some hope Of
his carrying Northern Stateif nominated, is
very apparent to us, and Through this popular
ity he hopes, no doubt, to secure the Northern
delegates. He intends to make himself SO nee
essary to the success Of the party in 1860, that
the Democracy of the whole North will unite to
ferct him upon the Southern Convention, and
the platform will then be taken care of in such
manner as not to repel Southern votes. His
letter has been called plucky, and outspoken,-
it appears to US, rather ingenious, and subtle
Nobody supposes that the Democrats at Charles
ton will be such asses as to " interpolate into thu
creed of the party the revival Of the African
Slave Trade, and it seems to us equally absurd
to suppose that they will take the trouble to as
sert in any platform they may see fit TO make
70 the doctrine that the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, either establishes Or prohibits Slave
ry in the territories" The next Democratic
National Platform will be as silent on that sub
ject as the last one was. They will leave the
Domestic Institution, just where they are now
willing to leave it, to the people of the Terrific
ries, subject to the Constitution of the Unitee
States. They don't need to proclaim what sort
of subsection that is, whether absolute, quail
fed, or no subsection at all. The bred Scot
Court will take care of that question when thu
time comes, and it will not be referred to tn
people. Douglas knew when he wrote tina
letter, that there was just about as much Froba
blity Of these obnoxious propositions being
promulgated as party creed by the Charleston
Convention as there was that the Convention
would nominate that Irish patriot, and toad
eater, John Mitchell, for the Presidency iii
letter is the most arrant hnmbug he could hav
put forth, but if it saves few votes and som
delegates at the North, it will have served it
authors turn. Let no freeman be deluded BY
lit