Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-23
that will justify Congress in intervening.

to stop polygamy? When, where, what measure, what speech, what report?
 Mir. GREEN. Well, Mir. President, ] said loudest, because he generally speaks loudest; said ,chen, because it was the 12th day of June, 1857; and where, because it was said at Springfield, Illinois.
 Mir. DOUGLAS. Ideny it. The speech will show that was for repeating the or ganic act, because they were alien enemies to the United States, and not because of that domestic institution.
 Mr. GREEN. I have got the speech before me, and l generally speak by the record.
 Mir. DOUGLAS. Read it.
 MT. GREEN. I know he lugged in other considerations, but he did not conhne himself to them. He did say they were alien enemies, but it was their misconduct, including polygamy, that he complained of. He had given them an organic act, and he then said, I will take it from you. But where, in such cases, is "squatter sover- eignty?' Oh, says the Senator, you are alien enemiesl The Senator assumed it to be true that they were; and then he says, will take from under your feet the very au- thority which gave you existence as a peo- ple In other words, l will intervene against you. For what? Because you are alien enemies? How do you know they were aliens? Where did you get your evi- dence?
 Mir. DOUGLAS. Read it.
 Mir. GREEN. / IacW reod a I know of what l speak. You had no evidence of 1 Men; you have no evidence of it to-day- sumption to-day But whether so or not, 1t cannot change the power of Congress to interfere, if the public good requires it. But you ciH intervene Why? Because 1t is assumed they are alien enemies. How do you know but what there are alien ene- mics in Kansas, judging from their acts, as there are in Utah? How do you know that there are not as many in Nebraska as in Utah? But he will not intervene there, for those alien enemies only destroy the rights of slave property; but he will intervene in Utah, for those alien enemies propagate polygamy. That is the doctrine of the Senator, and he cannot escape from it, Now 1 will read the extract from his speech on the subject, and see whether he did not claim the right to protect persons and pro- perty by congressional intervention.
 Mir. DOUGLAS. Read what covers that subject.
 MT. GREEN. Mr. Douglas said:
 Suppose, Irepeat, that Congress should pass law prescribing criminal code, and punishing polygamy among other ohenses, what effect would 1t have-what good would it do? Would you call on twenty three grand jurymen, with twenty three wives each, to find bill of indictment against a poor, miserable wretch for having two wives? Cheers and laughter. Would you rely upon twelve petit jurors, with twelve wives each to convict the same loath- some wretch for having two wives? Con- tinued applause. Would you expect a grand jury composed of twenty three Dan ites,' to find bill of indictment against brother 'Bante' for having murdered a Gentle, as they call all American citizens, under their direction? Much less would you expect a jury, composed of twelve de- stroying angels to find another destroy ing angel guilty of the crime of murder, and cause him to be hanged, for no other offense than that of taking the life of Gen tile? No. If there is any truth in the re- ports we receive from Utah. Congress may pass what laws it chooses, but you can never rely upon the local tribunals and juries to punish crimes committed by Mormons in that territory. Some other and more effec- tual remedy must be devised and applied. In my opinion, the first step should be the absolute and unconditional repeal of the or ganic act, plotting the territorial govern ment out of existence
 Mr. DOUGLAS. Precisely
 MT. GREEN. Yes, precisely, and will show you why precisely after a while: -"upon the ground that they are alien ene mics and outlaws, denying their allegiance and defying the authority of the United States. Immense applause.
 The territorial government once abolish ed,. the country would revert to its primi- tive condition prior to the act of 1850, 'un- der the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the United States, and should be placed under the operation of the act of Congress of the 30th of April, 1790, and the various acts supplimental thereto and amendatory there of, providing for the punishment of crimes against the United States, within any fort, arsenal dock-yard, magazine, or ANY OTHER PLACE OR DISTRICT OF COUNTRY, UNDER THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE jurisdiction of Me Unt- ted States.' All olfenses against the pro- visions of these acts are required by law to be tried and punished by the United States courts in the State or territories where the oIoU l., BROUGHT FOR TRIAL"
 One word there. Here these outlaws, these alien enemies, are to have their char ter taken away because they do not conform to what we believe to be right, We choose to call them enemies, to say they are out laws; and we choose to say they do wrong; but negro stealers and underground railroad operators are to be patted on the back, and to be told, ''well done, thou good and faithful servant" we have no power to stop you, and you may run at pleasure. But that is not all; for in the same speech the Senator says;
 ''Hence the necessity of repeating the or ganic act, withdrawing the pledge of adms- sion, and placing 1t under the sole and ex- elusive jurisdiction of the United States For what purpose?
 -N' in order that persons and PROPERTY may be protected, and justice administered, and crimes punished under tue iaWs prescribed Jy Congress in such case"
 Thus spoke Mr. Douglas at Springfield; and now see how differently he speaks.
 Senator Douglas gave new rendering of the Kansas Nebraska bill, which inter- pretation 1t was denied had ever been put upon the bill before.
 Mr. Gwin said
 If had understood that bill in the man. ner in which the Senator now interprets it, no. power on earth could have induced me to vote for it. I undertake to say that there is not member of this body that voted for that bill at the time, with the ex- ception of the Senator, who entertains the same opinion in regard to its operation that he has expressed to-day. Now, sir, 1 call upon those by whom am surrounded, whe voted with me for that bill whether any of them then put the interpretation upon it that the Senator has done to-day?