, 1860-08-07

revision Of the tariff, will prevent unraH uner-
alive prices whenever crops are full, or even
ai1.
AND TszH wILMOT Pro-
ViSO.
We have raid, again and again, that the
position Of the Republican PARTY on the slav-
cry question is identical with that held. By
both political organizations prior to the adop-
ton by tho Democratic party Of the dogmas
Of Calhoun. The history Of our National
legislalon shows that the power Of Congress
under the Cons itution to prohibit the intro
duction Of slavery into the territories, was
conceded at the South as well as at the North,
by Democrats as well as Whigs-that it was
often acted upon and never objected to save
on grounds Of expediency alone. The oppo-
site doctrine was fisrt broached by Mr. Cal
houn in 1s47; and there has never baen an H.
stance in which the enunciation Of doctrine
has met with more marked or more universal
7eprobation in Congress than that which gree
ted Mr.. Calhoun's theory Of the Constitution.
It was condemned alike by the leaders Of both
political parties. Clay and Webster were no
more emphatic in tEeir denunciation Of it than
were Benton ard other leading Democrats.
During the excitement growing out Of the
acquisition Of territory at the close Of the
Mexican war, the Democracy Of every frce
State committed themselves strongly in favor
Of the prohibition Of slavery in the country so
acquired. The Democracy Of Illinois, with
NJ. Douglas at its head, formed no exception.
In 1s49 the Legislature Of this stats was
strongly Democratic, and in January Of that
year, the following joint resolution was car
ried in both the House and the Senate:
E<so!red, Dy the Senate cf the State Of ILL
nojs. the House hf Representatives concurring,
that our Senators in Congress be instructed
aud our Representatives requested, to use all
honorable meaus in their power. to procure The
tuaetnst14t Of such laws by Congrexs, for the
government Of the countrles snd itf7a1orles OF
Ihe Uui.=d States, acquired By treaty Of peace,
friendship. limits and settlements, with tue Re-
nublic of Mexico, concluded Feb. 2, 1873, hi
shall contain the express declaration that there
shatl be neither slavery nor involuntary serrlsdt
il said Territories. 91her than IN !, he punish.
Of crimes, whereof the party snal1 aa'e peen
duly convicted.
Mr. Douglas was ut that time member oi
the United States Senate. How did he re-
receive the instruction? 0fCou.se those who
are familiar with Ills record and his speeches
aincs 1854, will suppose that he At ones indig-
nantly resigned his seat and appealed to the
people. Not a. all. On the contrary, he told
the Legislature that they had done ye.y
foolish thing in instructipg him to vote for
a measure which bis record proved him to be
IN favcr Of lie really seemed to be hurt at
the lack Of confidence in his political consis.
tency and in his devotion to the well known
principles o. the Democracy, implied in the
resolution Of instruction. He gave expression
to this feeling in speech which he delivered
at Springfield, On the Sd Of October ls4s, and
from we nalkc the following extract:
August, 1e4s. he (Mr. Douglas) had voted
for the Oregon bill, containing clause prohib.
itiuR slavery in that Territory. About fbuI
mouths afterwards, the Legislature assembled
and passed a resolution iuAttucting orr Sens.
tors, and requesting cur Representatives il
Congress. 70 vote for Territorial bills in Cali
ton Of slavery in those Territories. In Other
Tords. they 4Iastss1t him to d. preeis<!p tola
r. had futt Gon< tpit11us saxtfuctioAs. lie lat
been informed that LIN Wing friends, md, per
haps, few others peculiarly situated, conf
dently expected hin to resign rather than obeJ
to disappoin, them in 10 reasonable an expecta
tiou, II WAS Il htriLus question, however, re
curing grnve and deliberate consider alton
sah<tLxr IL roq4d e0aycitntlo"s'y d. uAdtr in
struceions, srhat h< had 5ass done from the die
tates If his otca Judgment toithons snstructionf
Aa the decision vi 70 tmportant question re
quired time 70 consider. he invited them Il
wait and see.
This was declaration, as clear as languag.
could make it, that It was the settled purpose
OF Nj. Douglas, before the adoption Of the res
olution Of instruction By the Legislature, II
rote in accordance with that resolution; ant
that the Legislatuse bad, gratuitously,. gons
out Of its way to give an implied expression tt
Z lack Of confidence in Lis integrity as mar
and Senator. But Nr. .Dorg1as obtained new
light during the following winter. Perhaps
~ n''" e''A '0~. ~ f' '1'0 ~"A'
noun ne's' laA '.o ns'saoon eatt'es
9Ase1s 'nso luz 1e't''oi!ee' A1o IL oue Inns
rase h's !u'n'esS nanu s'ealnh.~ u'a' Inns
ne'o.ea e'.np'e'' Ds NA4esa4 A'ton'lee
At ~ events ~ nau ieso''eu 10 make 'ne
'''a'a' 1''poae''1e 'ol 'o'0 "A''ea NC 'ao
said IN the previous October be would have
.,sron 1,;ftn,r+ ;pe4r r,,ot;or 1Jar, - o1
g''en "''n'" 'ns1us''on' ners 's an ext'ae'
Ito" nls speech IL 'De ''sna'e oa 'naS soo'eet
My hands ere ~ t,sd ~, ,mpon one ,s9aaied point
70 vote for prohibiting sla7ery ip the m Mexiesr E
Terr!ory?.
Hr. Douel.s~.I Lave no desire to breal
loose. Ny opinions are my own, and express
.ent ne hsrr a5d to Sbo esoos
hare nerer differed with my constituenc.
during se1en yeara' se1F1ee IN CONGRESS. e1ep
eFoA VAo HAa!hH' - AU@eLu4' <s'@ <1t .. ~ Hes$%