The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-08-14

travagant demands. lie was then Chair
man of the Committee on Territories,
and / call attention to his report as such,
made March IL, 1856, as conclusive up
on the point | have stated. In that pa
per he could find nothing to say against
foreign conspiracies to invade the soil of
Kansas and control elections. but he had
much to offer in condemnation of east
ern associations to encourage removal
thlther. He could discover no irregu-
larities in the return of Mr.. Whitfield,
the Pro Slavery Delegate to the House
of Representatives, but he clearly dis
cerned that the Territorial Legislature
was legally elected body. with perfect
authority to enact the most cruel and ar
bitrary slave codes, and that the COM
plants of fraud and force were gotten up
merely to stimulate and excite Northern
emigration. AT the time of which |
speak, there was no one in Congress or
out of Congress, in office or out of Office,
who exerted himself more untiringly TO
perpetuate that reign of terror inaugural
ed to insure the admission of Kansas in
a. i
are many now bearing up the banner in
scribeG with the name of this Senator,
who never have fully understood, or who
have forgotten, this tarnished page in his
history. If there has ever been more
determined foe to the growth Of freedom
in Kansas, or to the principles of the
Nebraska Kansas bill, than Stephen a.
Douglas, he has been able TO keep him
self very much under cover. 1t is graf
flying, however, to make single remark
in his favor it is this, that he seems as
willing as the most ardent of his friends
to divert attention from this period in his
career. | am not aware that, in either
essay or address, he has ventured to re-
cur to it but on the contrary he seems
disposed to treat it as blank in his life.
While these proceedings were pro-
crossing in the Senate, the other branch
of Congress carried resolutions of inves-
tigation, under a close division Of par
ties, and sent Select Committee to the
Territory. The consequence was such
an exposure as satisfied the country not
only of the truth of everything charged,
but of existing conspiracieS beyond any
thing that had been imagined. The
published evidence etiectually revealed
the intentions of the South, and made
deep impression upon the North. Itwas
then established that neither law nor pro-
prieties were 10 be allowed to stand in the
way OF Slavery extension aud we are
almost driven TO the conclusion that the
repeal Of the Missouri Restriction was
but part of general and welI-matured
plan of operations, at the head of which
stood the self-crowned chief of popular
Territorial Government. Mr.. Douglas S
term OF office was now approaching lis
close. 1t is not unlikely that desire for
a re election, and knowledge of the con-
yiction forced upon his State by the ex-
animation alluded 10, induced him 10
look with different eyes upon Kansas, and
create an anxiety on his part to take up
the cause OF her robbed and wretched
people. l cannot certainly say how this
may have been | only state sudden
and miraculous change came over him,
and for while he seemed 10 glory in the
name of rebel" lie opposed the al
mission of Kansas under the Lecompton
Constitution, with seeming seriousness,
and then announced his determination 10
vote for the greater iniquity, the " Eng
lish bill 1t was then the honored and
heroic Harris. who now sleeps in death,
she'd tears Of anguish, and gave utter
ance TO his despair. Over this again the
vail has been carefully and closely drawn
by the guardians of Mr. Douglass fame.
His admirers have acted wisely, as it has
prevented, doubtless, many unpleasant
surmises and suggestions. To that bold |
est, and truest, and greatest of all the
warriors in The battle for the right. Da-
vid G. Broderick, is Mr.. Douglas indebt- /
ed for bis rescue from whirlpool which |
would certainly have engulphed him
from stain which would have obliterat-
ed his heroism in connection with the I
cause 10 which he has SO ostentatiously /
pfofessed to devote himself. | withhold +
The words in which the scathing rebuke |
was clothed. And yet this noblest and
most self sacrificing of men, Mr.. Doug
lass protector, the martyr TO truth, who,
in the fullness OF his heart and on the dy
ing couch, exclaimed, +" They have Kill
ed me. they have murdered ME, because
was opposed TO the extension of Slavery
aud corrupt administration, upon his
return home, and in the hour Of the /
sternest trial. when fighting. like Sparta /,
Gus, upon his bended knees, against the I
pensioned hordes of the present dynasty.
and at time when he had right to ex. /
pecl all possible aid from the man whose
interest he had made his own, found all
he sympaihes Of Mr.. Douglas extended
% his opponents, aud himself treated as
~ enemy and an ottcast Ii we would
respect the memory of Broderick. we
IAN never support Douglas il would be
mark of baseness and seryilily. Iii ey
sr there was true son Of the North, in
lumanly broken in spirit, and who had
reason 10 exclaim, - Save me from my
friends. that man MAS David G. Broi-
rick. Had Stephen A. Douglas but dis
charged the duty he sacredly owed him,
ne would have gained victory for Free
lom in California. and would to-day, in
ny opinion, be living in the land, and
as one OF the foremost men