The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-02-03
National Politics.


The able correspondent of the Independent
in his last Washington letter, presents the
position of Mr.. Douglas and the feeling at
the South.
Ii will DO remembered that Just previous
TO the adjournment Of last CongreSs-durlng
the closing days of February-Mr. Douglas
got into an unfortunate discussion (uniortu-
nate perhaps for hinselD upon slavery in
the territories. The debate between linn
self and the leading Southern politicians in
the Senate was very bitter in tone, and its
effect in the slave states was damaging to
to the prospects of the Illinois Senator.
Ii has all along been understood that Mr..
Douglas would take care not to be drawn in.
to another conflict with southern Senators
ON the Territorial questiOn--at least not till
after the Charleston Convention. He ut one
time seriously contemplated a journey TO
Florida, for the double purpose Ofimproying
his health AMI escaping from his Senatorial
tOrmentors.
1t was some time during last week that he
first made his appearance in the Senate, and
he found that the DemOCr tic members were
engaged in full and free discussion of him-
self and ms ayowcd Territorial policy. IL
had gone On for week, and his only dcicn-
der had been Mr.. Pugh of Ohio. On Thurs
day, Mr.. Green of Miss iuri finished long
ind pretty severe speech upon Popular Sow
ercignty, and in the concluding portions he
was somewhat personal in his remarks.-
Senator Douglas WIS in his seat, and of
course could not avoid hearing them; and
he deliberately broke through the resolution
il was so generally understood he had adop-
ted, to keep silence under every proyOcation,
and he replied boldly ifnot dehantly to the
gentleman from Missouri.
This was all that the bulldogs of the
South desired. Having got him into quar-
rel they ut once went at him halta dozen at
"A time. Senator's Davis, Clay, Green, Gwin
aid Others gave him fierce battle, and in
formed him at the outset that no man hold
ing his views could get support of the south
i'm the Presidential contest. Mr.. Douglas
rep ed in IA spirited manner that he didn't
asl. the support of these gentlemen, and he
wasn't quite SURE if their support wouldn't
be more damaging than their oppOsition.-
He declared that no democrat could b. elect
cd President who does not hold 10 the right
of the people of a territory TO exclude slavery
from territory if they sire it, by uniricnd-
ly legislation. This much he WIS compelled
to say for the sake Of his Northern friends,
and by the necessities of the occasion, and
il exceedingly embittered his opponents.
The effect of the debate, 50 far rs it has
ploceedcd, has been 10 widen the breach be-
tween Mr.. Douglas and the people of the
South. He is gaining strength, doubtless,
among the democrats of the free states, and
will 90 into the Charleston Convention with
very strong force, probably clear MAORI.
ty of the delegates. But he is 80 distasteiul
10 the South that she will not submit to his
nomination. IL will beclaimed by the south
that no man can hope 10 carry but few
free states, and as the slave states will furn-
ish the greater portion of the Presidential
electors, they should select the candidate.--
This policy will, doubtless, defeat the demo-
Gratis, but Southern men arc so ianaticIl just
now that they dispense with common sense.
Almost any Southern candidate will certain
ly find il impossible 10 carry more than one
or two free states, for the very good reason
that the Douglas democrats in Illinois, In
diana, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey will
secretly desire the Southern candidates de.
feat, and will not @ near the polls. This
debate in the Senate, then, is likely TO have
a powerful effect over the destinies of parties
in the next Presidential canvass, and that
effect will doubtless he favorable to the par
ty which cspouss with hcartinesS the cause
Of Human Freedom.