The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-09-27

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United States, ~ tho speech Of Mr.. Douglas
in which they say that neither Congress or q
Territorial Legislature has the power to ex-
clude slavery but that the only right 10 the
right coupled with the dnty 10 guard and pro-
tectit. Ihavc shown you that Mr.. Douglas
agreed to submit the question to that Court,
aud that Mr.. Douglas acquiesced in the decis-
ion.
Mr. Douglas. further on, says the question
is an abstract one. An abstract question? A
question involving the Union, and involving
the rights of half Of them, - matters not what
the Supreme Court may hereafter decide the
people may exclude H." l have shown you
in 1856, in the Senate Of the United States he
said, " it the Constitution authorized it to 20
there no power on earth can take it away"
would like 10 see these two statements re-
conciled. [App!susc.l Whether the Con. ii.
tuition did authorize it 10 go there, was que,-
tion that he agreed to refer TO Court and
then, after the Court decides, he says no mat
ter how the Court may decide. the people may
lawfully exclude slavery from the Tcrritori.
and TIL, d claraions remain uncontre" | d,
and Tot taken back; and he asserts to {, y q"
he asserted before, that HE people of IL Terri
tory may exclude slave property OF q South
ern people prior TO the formation of /, Safe
Constitution--that q Ter. itorial Legislature
may do it. 4" Hence lie says. ;'no M y l
what way the SupreHle Court may hereafter dc
eide AS to the abstract question wh"hcr slave
ry may or may not gointo a Territory under
The Constitution. the people have the lnwf i
means to introduce or exclude il, a. they
please. for the reason that slavery cannot ex
list o day or an hour anywhere, unless it is sup
ported by local police regulators
Ishould have thought that the ghost Of the
Nebraska biIl-the spectre of that abused bill
| would have risen up to prevent such dec
laration as this! [Applause.l
say. gentlen"n, in answer 10 the accuse
ton made against me Of maintaining this doc
trine. and which have dsproyed, say it il
not statesuanlikc 10 agree 10 refer q constitu
llonal point to the Supreme Court Of your
country and then. when the supreme court Of
your country has decided it, say. -" il II alters
not what way hereafter decided, the power
remains.
A voicc--"Tlats higher law"
That looks aiaos. as much Ike higher laN
as some higher law We have heard Of further
east If Iwere disposed to initiate tn cmncn
hut had example, Knight say there is no homes
man in the United States, a. he said of Inc, who
can deny that the agreement was made; tina
the decision was made in accordance with oul
view Of our Constitution; and that the agree
mcnt has been. violated by the senator and Iii
personal adhereuts, who agreed to abide by it
Tellow-citizens. the serious indispositiol
under which have luborel for some days
making it almost impossible for me at times IL
see the assemblagc before me, makes ME I'm
able to divide OF my speech i'll proper proper
tons. rs should desire TO do, considering th
time have already occupied yosr attention,
You will excuse me If, being somewhat desult1
ry in my remarks, omit some topics to which
should call your attention.
How is thisqucs,ion met? Have argued il
t0-day-is it commonly argued by gentlemen
who entertain the same opinion that do--cy
cept in a manly way. according to our bes
ability. and according to or understanding o
the Constitution? Don't We stale the propo$
ton fairly? Don't we state it in the anguag,
Of the Supreme Court itself? Don't we stant
upon the Constitution, MS a1jndyed by tina
Court, and express our reasons in temperate
manly, and respectful arguments? Compare
the manner in which the Supreme Court decided
the question, with the manner in which tn,
distinguished gentleman stats the other pro
position. How does lie state it? Here ar,
questions upon which the best intclccts Of The
country are exercised. engaging the attention
Of the wisest and best Of mcu; Of the most
august tribunal Oh earth; debated in tho
Senate aud House of Representatives, and be.
fore an anxious people, who want to know how
to act up to the truth. How is the question
stated. from one end of the country to tn,
other? The cry is, what? Not thut We will
argue with you iairly and tcmpcratcly, with
ont any appeals 10 secular passions and prcjn.
dices. the question. whether your property is
the same as other property; whether it has the
same rights in the Territories US other proper.
ty. The statement is made that you shall moi
force slavery down the tlroats Of al unwilling
people. The argument consists of an appcal
TO the passions Of one section OF tile Union
against another. Mr.. Douglas himself admit
ted that slave property stands upon the same
footing with other property. The Sunrcm,
Court decided that under Tho Constitution, il
stands on the SAM footing and it has the same
right to protection in the common Territories
and TINT there is no right TO exclude it. Thc,l
il being Il conceded point that there is no diff
ference between property in slaves and other
things during She territorial condition, why do
they seize upon ile word slave, and appealing
to the passions Of the people, say, you shall
not force slavery dnWn the throats of an un-
willing people," Who wants to do it. Does
the existence o" the ques ion OF The constitu.
tional protection Of lrivnic property in the
common domain of this Uuon until i State is
i,rmrd, which Gun take charge g. ,oppriy, and
determine it, endangcr ;hl L ion; sub,ii ute
the word property for The word slave, and see
how it would rad. You attempt 10 force
slavery down the threats OF an unwilling poo
plc.' You attempt to force property down the
throats Of All unwilling people. rinu .hter and
cheers,] and There is no di,!trence between