Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1860-02-11
NO. 5.
Douglas Now and Then-.-Unimpeachable
Testimony.

! Davis and others, Douglas boasted that
he had always maintained the odious
doctrines which he has so vehemently
espouscd since his alliance with Seward
III the Lecompton struggle; and inso-
Iently cast upon the Southern Democra-
cy the imputation Of inconsistency, for
repudlating him now, when they had
formerly been his supporters.
It is known that, pending the bill for
the repeal of the Missouri restriction, he
never once placed upon that measure
his present squatter sovereignty inter-
probation, and when interrogated by an
Opposition Senator as to the powers Of
a Territorial Legislature over the ques-
ton of slavery, he responded that it was
a question for the judicial authorities
He, moreover, voted against an amend
meut to the Kansas Nebraska bill, con-
ferring upon the Territorial Legislature
the power to prohibit slavery.
He was then an aspirant for the Pres.
'dential nomination which was soon to
be made at Cincinnati, and his record
upon that measure, together with his
personal assurances, to prominent South
ern men, were all dcsi gned to create the
belief that his views We're in entire har-
mony with theirs. 1t was upon this
condition that the Mississippi delegation
at Cincinnati consented to support him,
after they had failed to secure the re-
nomination Of Gen Pierce. 1t is libel
to say that he would have been accepta-
Die to them, or to any other reliable
portion of the Democracy, if his opin.
ions had been believed to be the same
as those which he now procIaims.
In proof that, in 1916, he was the
avowcd opposcr Of squatter sovereignty,
and that he was the declared advocate
Ut what ne now processes to regard with
holy horror, viz: Congressional protec-
ton to slavery in the Territories, we
will introduce the word of a witness
whose testimony will not be DOUBTED,
though it be opposed by the afidavits
of ten thousand Douglases We allude
to John Anthony Qultman. The Natchez
Free Trader has just published the fol-
lowing letter, written by that honcred
patriot i'll 1856, "to valued and conf
Dental friend in Mississippi" 1t is to
the point, and shows concIusively that
if Douglas was not with the anti-squat-
ter sovereignty and Congressional-Pr
lection Democracy, at that day, he was
playing a despicable game of deception
to obtain their votes. If he has any
riends WHO are disposed to vindicate
lis political reputation, they can have
;hoice of the horns of the dilemma:
WASHINGTON, March "a, 1856.
Ny DEAR SIR: X | believe
hat at this day the Northern Democracy
ire sounder and more reliable on the
slavery question than they have ever
oeen. The Kansas bill has driven off
III the compromisers, and left those that
emain no alternative but full vindica-
ion Of our whole rights. believe,
therefore, they will prefer bold. ultra
5outherner to renegade
In short conversation with Douglas
he said to me that what he
most feared was the timid Southern men
would fall back.
shall be content with Buchanan, and
will sustain Pierce, if nominated 1t is
,Iso my interest to be non-committal:
,ut when write to All old friend, like
| will be frank. My prefer
,nce is for Douglas He is bold, fearless
md setf-reIiant Were he elected he
would be President He would not
;oIne into office with body-guard of
I'D fogies and politicians, ready to seize
lpon all the Offices. He is true to the
south He demands not only the use
nd enjoyment OF the common Territory
OF their property, but insists on its pro-
ection there To him we are Indebted
nr the Kansas bill, which now presents
lie points Of contact He is the true
representative IF this principle, and op-
'oses the abominable principle Of squat
er sovereignty.
Your friend,
JoHH A. QuI7aAS.