The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-17
Speech Of Senator Douglas

A full report Of the great debate IN the
United States Senate, on the I'D ult., on
Popular Sovereignty. is contained IL tho
Washington Globe Of the lst instant, and
occupies over forty columns OF that paper
W. publish below the 6rst speech Of Sena-
tor DoualAs on that occasion, in reply to
Mr.. BSows. Of Mississippi, the debate hay
Ing been continued for some hours alter
wards by Messrs Davis, Green, Mason,
Pugh. Doolittle. Hunter, Brodcriek. Stuart,
Gwin, Biglsr. Hale. Fessenden. Clingman,
smith. Crittcndon and Douglas:
Mr.. DouaLAs-Ii no other Northern
Democrat desires to be heard on the points
presented by the Senator from Mississippi,
feel Il incumbent ON me to say something
in viDdication Of my own position, reuc-
tant ~ am TO occupy time at this stage Of
the session, In u discussion Of this question,
admire the irankncs, candor. and direct
noss with which that Senator has approach.
cd this question. No man eau accuse him.
none viii suspect him Of desire Ito cheat
or be cheated :" snd | hope that ! shall be
able TO put my opinions on the record in u
manner that will acquit me OF the slightest
suspicion OF desiring TO cheat or TO he cheat
Cd To . certain point that Senator and
myself agree. Then there comes divergence
which grows wider aud wider tho further
we travel. We agree that under the decs,
ion Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States, slaves arr property. standing on an
equal footing with all other property and
that, consequently. the owner OF slave has
the same right 10 em'grats 10 Territory
and carry his slave property with him, ~
the owner OF any other species Of property
has TO move there and carry his property
with him.
Mr.. Doourrl.. Will the honorable Sen
ator allow The
Mr., DouaLAs. am rcplying 10 the SEN
ator from Mississippi now, and would pre-.
fer, therefore, to 90 on.
Mr.. DooLirrLK. | wish 10 put q ques
,ion 10 the honorable senator from lllinoi,
90 that point.
Mr.. DoUaiAa desire To- deal with this
point now Al another tine the Senator
can present his point. The right of transit
10 and from the Territories 10 the same for
one species OF property as il is for all 9th.
ere. Thus far the Senator from MieiSsipp
and myself sgrcc--,hat slave property il
the Territories stands on an equal footing
with every other species Of property. Now
the question arises, TO what extent Is prop
er,y. slaves included. subject to the loca
Law of the Territory! Whatever power
the Territorial legislature has over othel
species Of property. extends, in my jadg
ment, To the same extent. and IN like man.
ner. TO the slave property. The Territorial
Legislature has the same power to lsgislat'
Ia respect to slaves. that it has in regarl I,
any other property, to the same extent. an,
no further, II the senator wishes TO know
what power II has over slaves in the Terri
tories. l answer. let him tell me what pow
or II hss u legislate over any other specie.
Of property either bX encouragement or b,
taxation, or in any ether mcis, and be ha
nv answer in regard to slave property.
Bat the SesAt0r says thai there Ia some
thing peculiar 10 dave property. reqsirin,
| further protection than other species Of pro
perty. II 40. Il Is the misfortune 81 thos
Who own that species OF property. lie tell