Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-08-02
As Douglas u Trickster!

As Douglas ~ TrIckster!
Some Republicans, and Breckenridge
Democrats, when cornered on argument,
assert that Douglas is trckster. We
maintain that nothing could be more I'M
Just than this charge Every fact contra
diets it, the whole course of his political
life gives the lie to it, and the unanimity |
with which he has been sustained by the
masses where he is best known renders
these assertions absurd. What position
in public life has Judge Douglas filled
that the people have not honored him for
a fearless, faithful and honest discharge
oil his official duties? What principle |
has he ever espoused and atterward back
ed down from? What position has he
ever assumed on any question that he
has not faithfully, ably and untiringly
sustained to the end? When did he ever
utter word and alterward retract it,
When did he ever propose anything that
the force OF morals, or of public opinion
compelled him to abandon? jackson
was honored for his courage, success and
integrity. He was always successful be-
cause always right. There was time
when the power of the government, the
wealth of the country and the scheming
Of tricksters were combined to crush him,
but with righteous cause and Roman
courage he fought them all, and conquer
ed all. No other American statesman
except Stephen A. Douglas has possess
cd this determination OF purpose, heroic
bravery and unboundcd success Jeiler-
son conceived and maintained the great
doctrine Of popular sovereignty, yet he
failed to carry it into effect to its full ex
tent; but Mr.. Douglas, impressed with
the correctness OF the great doctrine that
the people should govern themselves,
took hold to establish it as the policy
of the country. lie succeeded in having
it engrated III the Kansas Nebraska Bill;
through the misreprescntatio of those
who opposed it the people Jailed to under
stand it. and the trcksters and politicians
fearing the people refused to sustain it,
and u furor of public opinion was raised
against it that has never been cqualled in
this country. Throughout tho Northern
States houses and trees were plastered
with calls for public meetings to denonnce
the action Of Douglas and Pierce; their
burning eilisies lighted up nearly every
village, town and city of tho North. and
the editors who endcavored to sustain
them were, many Of them, broken down
by tho withdrawal of patronage. Not
withStanding all this Stephen a. Douglas
boldly faced the people and met his enc
mics. and by his persuasive eloquence, ir
resistible argument and undaunted cour-
age brought about reaction so strong
that on this very question James Buchau-
an was elected president. When the Adj
ministraion attempted to depart from it,,
or give new version to it in the case OF
the Lecompton Constitution Mr.. Doug
las galantly entered the arena in defence
of popular sovereignty with full knowl-
edge that he had to contend against all
the power and patronage of the govern.
ment otiice.holders. After he had beaten
them all and forced the Lecompton Con.
stitution baclsto the people the power o'
the administration followed him to Hi.
nois to defeat him for reelection; but Ia
nopurpose for the people whom he had
served so long were convinced of his abl-
ity, integrity and diSintcrested patriotism
and he was victorious in a State that iwo
years before had given twenty.nine thous-
and majority against tho Democratic tick
ct, In twenty-five years Of public life
every act Mr.. Douglas has done is endors-
ed by tho people. Can the same tc said
for any man now living? No man can
serve twenty-five years in public life
have his every act sustained by his con.
stituC1s. aud have the hold on the aiiec
lions Of the people that Stephen A. Doug
las possesses and be trckster.
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