Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-09-28

fan code of laws, less flagrant violation Of
popular rights than the Lecomptou Consti-
tution2 How could he uphold the former,
and claim any credit for opposing the latter9
Here is another most wonderful coincidence.
Just so long as slavery had chance TO get
Kansas, Douglas stood upon the side of
slavery. But no sooner was the victory of
freedom sure than Douglas was sure to stand
upon the strongest side.
DOUGLAS AS A STATESMAN.
Having demolished the pretensions Of
the squatter sovereign, Mr.. Scburz next
went into an investigation Of Douglas
claims as statesman, and by the most i'm
pressiye and logical course of reasoning,
showed that he is as destitute Of the lofty
qualities of great statesman as he is cum
ming and wiry as a politician. He bore
with especial force upon Douglas atrocous
bill, introduced last session into the Senate,
to repress the agitation Of the slavery ques-
ton, comparing it with the repressive meas
ures of the most centralized despotisps of
Europe, and showing how it was animated
by the worst spirit of Tyranny. He said,
in closing this topic:
Douglas seems to have no conception of
the ground work upon which the safety of
popular liberty rests. Let him not pretend
to say that he intended the law for the pre-
vention of political offences, for he ought 10
know, as every well-informed man knows,
that of all tho laws of the world which
fasten the chains of despotism upon man
kind, there is hardly one which does not
rest upon the pretext that political offenses
must be prevented. Prevention of mis-
chief was the snare with which people in
all ages and countries have been prevented
from asserting their liberties. Preventive
laws are the poison with which freedom is
killed. 1t is said that years ago, an Amer
lean citizen met Prince Mctternich in the
city Of Brussels. You remember who
Prince Metternich was The history Of the
world hardly knows the minister who had
to answer for more tears and curses of
crushed nations. The American showed
him the Constitution ofahe United States,
aud asked his opinion of it. "This consti-
tuition" said the Prince, "lacks but one
thing, and can govern the Empire Of
Austria with it," What is that ?" asked
the American with astonishment. at is
the power of the central government to pass
preventive laws" What pity Prince
Mcttenich is dead. In Judge Douglas he
would have found the man of his heart
Put the Judges conspiracy bill upon oul
statute book, and declare it constitutional
and tho deficiency is supplied. Prince
Meuerni is willing to govern Austria
after his fashion with the Constitution Of
the United States. Place the power to in
dict and punish for combinations and fol
criminal intent in political matters in the
hands of our Federal Judges-theso petty
Ipro.consul who feel big when they car
show their power, and we shall soon have a
little Star Chamber in every little judicia
district, little Fouquier Tinvile to act as
prosecuting attorney, and little Jeffries tc
pass the sentences of the Court; there will
be government spy to smell out treasona
tble combination wherever three or four O
them are assembled, and the cells of YOU
prisons filled with men who have the spiri
to speak and think and speak about slavery
as Washington, Jefferson, Madison anC
Franklin thought and spoke.
And there are those who dare to call tho
man who proposed to inauguratte such ,
system of policy "great statesman" TC
the honor of Southern men bo it said, il
both cases, when he proposed to confer thC
warmaking power upon the President, al
when he introduced tho new sedition law
he had the modification of being put dowl
bv stakeholder 1t was in both cases
Jefferson Davis, the leader of the fire.eaters
who had the patriotic spirit to vindicate ou
republican institutions against the disgust
ing schemes of Northern demagogucs.
|, But Northern man also was listenin,
with indignant astonshment to Dougla:
, speech in favor of the new sedition law
that was the brave John Hickman, of Penn
sylvania, the Anti-Lecompton Democra
who believed what he said. And when b
left the Senate chamber he broke out il
the words, "On thy belly shalt thou GO
and dust shalt thdWeat all the days of tb
+ life."
DOUGLAS ONE ORIGINAL SCHEME.
Q Yes; his speeches do contain one orgins
9 idea, and l tell you that is bright one;
S belongs all to him; nobody ever advocate
V it before, and nobody will hereafter, w
have been laboring under the impressio
1 that Douglas did not care whether SLAYER
' be voted up or down; but we must beg hi
Q pardon-it turns out that he does care; fc
+ the only original idea that he can boast {
n is that slavery must necessarily exist fc
the sake of-variety. Laughter. Don
r laugh pray you-it is very serious matte
D liz IS the fundamental principle upon whic
t Mr.. Douglas whole craftsmanship rests
Q and as he is the greatest statesman aliv'
i it certainly deserves serious consideration
: He tells us it is the very issue upon whic
Q he conducted the canvass in Illinois in s5
|. lit is the very ground upon which b
g placed the, necessity of his conspiracy bill
r and he has peddled it all over the Union
4 tnumberlcss speeches.
Il The original idea, is expressed in his ow
d language, is simply tbis "I assert, "said !
J, in his speech opening the canvass of s5i
= that the great fundamental principle whic
4 Iunderlias onr eomnlax svstpm of State an