Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-01-18

decision was rendered we supposed that the
whole question would be settled and give
peace forever. Therefore this resiateInent of
the case strikes us with astonishment, aud
we feel regret.
Mr. DeugIas-In 1856 said that it was
judicial question over and over again. |
said so before 1856. and / haze always said it
since 1856. declared in my Illinois speech
es that it was judicial question. and have
declared the same thing in every publication
that have made for the last two years /
assert now that it is a judicial question: The
point is that it WAS no want OF sounduess ~
principles that | held one side OF the judicial
question while others held the other; but
assert that the Senate did know that l held
that side of the Judicial question. And
more, / have always said that | would abide
by the decision of The Supreme Court But
take the law as expounded By tie Court. /
received the bred Scott decision au au-
thOriiative exposition, bnt deny that this
case has been decided under the Dred Scott
decision There is not one fact in that case
upon which 1t conld have ari>en. The law
yers never dreamed that it could arise and it is
Injurious TO the reputation of the Court. The
bred Scott decision did not settle it. Ii WAS
not argued before the court. 1T would have
bern disgraeefuI if the Court Lad decided
what was not tefnre 1t. Whenever the Terri
torial Legislature passed an enactment pro
hibiiing slavery the Supreme Court could
decide the question. and he could respect the
decision lie would then belp to carry it
cut in good faith. That was the understand
ing WHEN the Nebraska bill passed DE did
not beiieve the decision of the cOaTt would be
against his views.
Mr. Green stated his views as to the under
standing at the time Of the passage of the
Kansas bill, and said the Senator from
illinois would not dare to dispute his propO-
sitien.
Mr. Douglas reTlicd that the word dare
was unnecessary. ard it was unnecessary TO
handy words. He dared assert the truth. He
thought be knew what bis own opinions had
been as well as the Senator from Missouri.
He woHld viEdicate every word he had sad.
and when S,natOrs had all gotten through
18th the bills of Indictment against him, he
would fire at them in lump.
Mr.. Green (excitedly)-The Senator can
fire away whenever it suits his convent nee.
either at US in a lump or individually. There
Is one individual who Is ready to meet him
at Pbillippi. | know and asset that no man
ever claimed that the l. rrItCries possessed
more power that Congress until The FreepOrt
spe, ch-
Mr.. Pugh resumed-It was easy to thrust
personal feeling and personal assaults INTO
the cOntrovcIsv THIS has he, n done 10y the
Senator from Missouri lie contendcd that
tie power Of the people of the Territories
vas still open question When 1t was
dccid, by The Courts lie was II ady TO obey.
The whole controversy had been thrust upon
the Senator from Illinois and himself under
circumstances of outrage and indigniiy which
had TO be met. Ii they continued 10 be
pressed in this manner. the fate ci the Demo-
cratic Tarty WAS sealed The question had
been thrust forward by the Pr, sident in his
message by the Vice President in his address
to the Legislature. and on this floor. lie re-
E rrcd TO Executive dictatIon. and the at
tempt 10 GORGE free men By cutting off the
heads Of pOsimasiers and custOm-house OTi-
GERS. he Senator from Georgia now wanted
law passed to enable slaves 10 be held in
the Territories in defiance oi law, and Insisted
on the Charleston Convention sustaining this
demand. If that WAS the sentiment of the
Southern delegates, he hoped they would
say SO ON the first day OF the Convention. He
cared nothing for the threats Of opposition 10
the nominee made by the Senator from
Georgia. He concluded by declaring his de-
termination as delegate TO Charleston 10
support his present views, aud insisted that
the prescription against his branch OF the
party must cease.
Mr.. Douglas said The state of his health
would not permit him to engage in lengthy
debate. When his ASSISTANTS were through
he would reply 10 them in lump.
Mr.. Davis thought the Senator from Illinois
exalted himself above his level when he sup
posed it was necessary that a combination
should be formed against him. As to going
at them in a lump, he had better try To get
through with one of them.
Mr.. Douglas would institute no comparison
between himself and the Senator IA to the
molesty of their bearing. lie had been as
sailed while lying on a sick bed as rotten,
by one who confessed r0ttenness twelve years
ago. He lad no assaults TO made on any one.
He had no iundness for controversy. His po-
siIion was purely defensive.
MIR. Clay. (demD Of Ala, said he would
show that the Senator (Douglas) had chang
ed his views. In 1850 he voted for the Will
mot proviso. He CLAY would not have ex-
tended to him the right hand OF fellowship as
Democrat if he had not believed he had
changed bis views His complaints OF as
saults and a combination against him looked
like seeking popular sympathy, which he
CLAY abborrcd as the act of demagogue.
He I, AIRED that the Senator Was like Cleon,
who rushed into the market place exhibiting
seli-infcted wounds, 10 excite sympathy and
secure protection.
Mr.. Douglas denied seeking popular SYM
paihy. He never would have alluded to his
deposition from the Craftsmanship of the Com
mltt,e on Territories. il il had not been
thrown in his face. lie denied The right Of
the Senator from Alabama To crilicise his de-
mOcracy. He d d not think the Senator's OPP
position would affect his vote in Alabama.
lie bad never made speeches to the elect that
he would bolt the nomination of the COnven-
ton unless his man was selected. The Sena-
tor. by his pronunciamcntu, bad put himself
outside of the democratic party. If the Sens
tor did not extend the right hand of political
fellowship he would survive the stroke. If
ne happened to be nominated at Charleston.
he would consider the Senator from Alabama
as much honor,d 10y his accepting his vote
as he would be in receiving it. He chr
DOuglas) did not court the nomination at
Charleston. lie would not accept il except
upon platform conforming to his views. He
would never commit the meanness of being
elected on platform aud kick il over after
wards. He believed twO-thirds OF the democ-
racy of the county were with bin. His re-
moYal from the Committee on Territories
must have been meant proclamation to
the world that no one holding bis opinions
was fit to be- Chairman. Ii the proscriplive
tests 10 be applied, what chance was there
TO elect democratic candidate! He would
not say be was unwilling 10 support demo-
cratic nominee who differed with him.
Mr.. Davis said he lad no objection to Mr..
Douglas n Democrat except ON this par
ticular point. He was willing to give him
the chai' manship of bis committee.
Mr.. Grecn-So am /.
Mr.. Douglas said that he could not under
he circumstances take The craftsmanship of
any other committee. For elevtA years bis
opinions had been no disqualification, and he
DID not see Why they should be so now.
Mr.. Davis said he wished To know whether
the Senator wished 10 make issue with dem
ocraiic Senators ca this question or on ali
Mr.. Douglas said that he would make no issue
with Ssnators on either side OF the House
Pro, cripton had everywhere been exercised
against all halding his views. Was any man
prepared 10 accept the Charleston nOmina-
lion, pledged 10 i,rnscribc them, and then SO