The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-07-19

propositions involved in the question of
slavery. | cannot do better here than 10
extract the questions and answers from
recent speech of the distinguished Senator
from Louisiana, Mr.. Benjamin., in the
United States Senate, together with his COM
ment thereon. Speaking of that canvass,
Mr.. Benjamin says
&c In that contest, the two candidates for
the Senate of the United States, in the State
of Illinois, went before their people. They
agreed to discuss the issues; they put ques-
tons to each other for answer; and I must
say here, for | must be just to all, that |
have been surprised in the examination that
| made again within the last few days of
this discussion between Mr.. Lincoln and Mr..
Douglas, to find that Mr.. Lincoln is far
more conservative man, unless ne has since
changed his opinions, than | had supposed
him to be. There was no lodging on his
part. Mr.. Douglas started with his ques-
tons. Here they are, with Lincoln'S an
swers:
Question l. desire to know whether
Lincoln to-day stands, as he did in 1854,
in favor of the unconditional repeal of the
fugitive slave law?
4nsWer. do not now, nor ever did,
stand in favor of the unconditional repeal
of the fugitive slave law.
"QuestioR 2. | desire him TO answer
whether he stands pledged to-day, as he did
in 1854, against the admission of any more
slave States into the Union, even if the peo-
pie want them?
"AnsaDeT. l do not now, nor ever did,
stand pledged against the admission of any
more slave States into the Union.
"Question 3. | want to know whether he
stands pledged against the admission of a
new State into the Union with such Con-
stitution as the people of that State may
see fit to make?
"Ansaoer. do not stand pledged against
the admission of new State into the Union
with such a Constitution as the people of
that State may see fit to make.
"Question 4. want to know whether he
stands to-day pledged to the abolition of
slavery in the District of Columbia?
"Anss0er. do not stand to-day pledged
to the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia.
Question 5. l desire him to answer
whether he stands pledged to the prohibition
of the slave trade between the different
States?
"Anss0sr do not stand pledged to the
prohibition of the slave trade between the
different States.
ENSStSOH u 0SSALC " hAOH UhCshOA AiO
stands pledged to prohibit slavery in all the
well as south of the Missouri compromise
line2
4Answer. am implicitly, if not express
ly, pledged to belief in the right and duty
of Congress to prohibit slavery in all the
United States Territories.
"Question Z. / desire him to answer
whether he is opposed to the acquisition of
any new territory unless slavery is first
prohibited therein?
"Ansscer. am not generally opposed to
honest acquisition of territory and in any
given case, | would or would not oppose
such acquisition, accordingly as ! might
think such acquisition would or would not
aggravate the slavery question among our
selv 80 Debates Of Lincoln and Douglas,
page 49,
alt is impossible, Mr.. President, however
we may differ in opinion with the man, not
to admire the perfect candor and frankness
with which these answers were given; no
equivocation-no evasion
Nothing can be more just than the COM
pliments paid by the distinguished Louis
lana Senator to the candor and frankness of
Mr.. Lincoln. 1t is not an unusual thing for
him to extort expressions of admiration
from his opponents, for the frankness and
candor of his arguments, both in political
discussion and at the bar. 1t was said of
him by one of the Judges of our Supreme
Court, that he stated the propositions and
arguments of his adversary so fully and
fairly, that but little further was necessary
to be said.
(To BE CONCLUDED TOMORROW.
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