davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
DOUGLAS KILLING HIS OWN
SNAKES.
Douglas Record
His Numerous Shifts and
Changes. 20 T.
EXTRACTS FROM HIS SPEECHES.
A DENACOcGE SHOWN UP IN CHAPTERS.
A cALnouSlTE AND NOT DEMOCRAT.
CHAPTER I.
IM lSl9 Douglas .sCanOniZed''
tie Missouri COnlprOmi>c.

The Missouri Compromise had an origin
akin to that ofthe Constitution of the United
States conceived in the same spirit of frater.
nal affection, and calculated to remove for.
ever the danger which seemed to threaten,
at some distant day, to sever the social bond
of Union. All the evidences Of public opn-
ion, at that day, seemed to indicate that this
Compromise had become canonized in the
hearts of the American people as sacred
thing, which no ruthless hand would ever be
reckless enough to disturb. ."-)Judge
Douglas speech, at Springfield, Oct, 23d,
1S49. ... ...a
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
How the Courts Decided the
@ QUestiOn-.The Dred Scott De-
CiSiOn on Slavery.

"The only two provisions which point to
(slaves,) and include them, treat them as
property, and make it the duty of govern
ment to protect it no other power in relation
to this race is to this race is to be found in
the Constitution "-Dred Scott Decision.
opinion Of the Court, page 425, Hopards
Report
"The territory being part of the United
States the government and the citizens both
enter it under the authority of the Consti
tutien, with their respective rights defined
or marked out and the Federal Government
can exercise power over his person or prop
erty beyond what that instrument confers.
nor lawfully deny any right which it has
reserved.
The powers over persons and property Of
which we speak are not only not granted to
Congress, bit in erprt$s terms denied and
they are forbidden to exercise them. And
this prohibition is not coataed to the States,
but the words are general and extend to tie
aehole territory over which the Constitution
gives it power to legislate, including those
portions of it remaining under Territorial
Government as well as that covered bv
States. 1t is total absence of power every
where within the dominion of the United
States, and places the citizens of territory,
so far as these ri .hts are concerned, on the
same footing with citizens of the Stat IS, and
guards them as firmly and plainly against
any inroads which the general government
might attempt under the plea of implied or
incidental powers. If it is beyond the pow
ers conferred on the Federal Government
it will be admitted, we presume, that it could
not authorize territorial Government to ex-
ercise them.
And if the Constitu-
ton recognizes the right of property of the
master in slave, and makes no distinction
between that description of property and
other property owned by citizen, no tribu-
nal acting under the authority of the United
States, whether legislative, Executive or Ju-
dcial, has right to draw such distinction
or deny to it the benefit Of the provisions
and guarantees which have been provided
for the protection of private property against
the encroachments of the Government" "
Dred Scott Decision, Opinion of the Court,
pages +49, 45o, 451, Howard report.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER w. ,f
Douglas in 1850 or the Fright of
Protection" #..5s

"The territories belong to the United States
as one people, one nation, and are to be dis
posed of for the common benefit of all, accor-
ding the principles of the Constitution.
Each State, as a member of the Confederacy
has right to voice in forming the rules
and regulations for the government of the
territories but the different sections-North
South, East and West-have no such right
1t is no violation ofSouthern rights to pro-
hibit slavery. ."--Douglas' speech in the Sen
ate, March l3, 1850 Cong. Globe Agpendip
cot. %, part l, page 369.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
Douglas Report i'm the Senate,
January 4. 1854.


Your Committee do not feel themselves
called upon to enter into the discussion of
these controverted questions. They involve
the same grave issues which produced the
agitation, the sectional strife and the fearful
struggle Of 1850. As Congress deemed it
wise and prudent to refrain from deciding
the matters in controversy then, either by
affirming or repeating the Mexican laws, or
by an act declaratory Of the true intent OF
the Constitution and the extent Of the pro-
lection afforded by it to slave property in the
territories, so your Committee is not prepar-
ed now to recommend dep Tture from the
course pursued on that memorable occasion,
either by affirming or repeating the eighth
section of the Missouri act, or by any act
decaratory of the meaning Of the Constitu-
ton in respect to the legal points of dispute. "
|-Douglas' Report rs Chairman Of the Com
maittee on Territories, IN Senate, Jan. 4, "a.
Tie Nebraska Bill.
Up to this time we see that Mr. Douglas
had kept the Missouri Compromise sacred"
But now miraculous change comes DER the
spirit of his dream, and on the 23d day of
January, 1854, only nineteen days after his
former report, he brings his third Nebraska
Bill, in the shape of substitute for his for
mer report dividing the territory of Nebras-
ka into two territories, Kansas and Nebraska,
and repeating the Missouri Compromise.
Senator Atchison accounts for "the milk
in cocoa nut" and explains how and why
Douglas repealed the Missouri Compromise.
The following is arepol OF his speech made at
"Atchison City," in Kansas, in September,
1854, as reported in the "Parkvllle Lumi-
nary " .... ........ .'......
For myself am entirely devoted to the
interests Of the South, and would sacrifice
everything but my hope in Heaven to advance
her welfare. He thought the Missouri Com.
promise ought to be repealed; he had pledged
himself in his public addresses to vote for
no territorial organization that would not vir,
tually annul it; and with this feeling in his
hSa'' I, uo uSSheu W oS PIC SidIu ulail VI Tue
Senate Committee on Territories, when O
bill was introduced.
With this object in view he had pri
vate interview with Mr.. Douglas, and inform.
| ed him of what he desired-the introduction
of a bill for Nebraska like that he had prom.
ised to vote for, and that he would like to be
Chairman of the Committee on Territories
in order to introduce such a measure I; and
il he could not set that position he would
Immediately resign as President of the Sen.
ate. Judge Douglas requested twenty -four
hours to consider the matter, and if, at the
expiration of that time, he could not intro
duce such bill as he (Mr. Atchison) propos.
ed, which would at the same time accord
| with his own sense of justice to the South
would resign as Chairman of the Territorial
Committee in Democratic caucus, and exert
his influence to get him (Atchi,on) appoint
ed. AT the expiration of the time given
Senator Douglas signifed his intention t
introduce such a bill as had been spoken Of
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

ence in the character of the two rival and
conflicting movements consists in the fact
that tile one had its origin in an AGGRES-
SIVE and the other in a DEFENSIVE pol
icy"-Douglas' Report to tie Senate, March
IL, 1S56--page Q. ...... ....r..
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Douglas defends Border Rufniaus

"The natural consequence was that inn
mediate steps were taken by the people of
the western counties Of Missouri to stimulate.
organize and carry into effect system of
emigration similar to that of the Massachu-
sets Emigrant Aid Company, for the avow-
ed purpose of counteracting the effects and
protecting themselves and their domestic in
stitutions from the consequences OF that
Company's operations The material differ
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Douglas Don't Care.s

I" 1t is none of my business which way
the slavery clause Gin Kansas is decided
| care not whether it is voted down or voted
up.'--DougIas' speech in Senate, December
9th, ls57.-Con. Globe, part I, page rs.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER XVI.
Douglas Declares the Bogus X an
sas Legislature and its Bogus
Laws TO be Legal.

g So far as the question involves THE LE-
GALITY OF THE KANSAS LEGISLA-
TURE AND THE VALIDITY OF IT'S
ACTS, it is entirely immaterial whether we
adopt the reasoning and conclusion of the
minority or majority reports, for each proves
that the LEGISLATURE WAS LEGALLY
AND DULY CONSTITUTED."-Donglas
Rcport to tile Senate, March II, 1S56--
page Is. ...-.... ....
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER XIII.
Douglas votes against Popular
SOyereisnty--'The Chase ;,Mlel nd
NMent.

Mr.. CHAsE-I desire to submit an amend
ment, to intersect Immediately after the
words-(subiect to the Constitution of the
United States) which have been inserted, the
following
"Under which the people of the territory,
through their appropriate representatives,
may, if they see fit, PROHIBIT THE EX-
ISTENCE OF SLAVERY THEREIN
Congressional Globe, 'o4--page 42l.
This amendment to the Nebraska bill was
offered in the Senate on the 10Th of Februa-
ry, 1854, and after due discussion was, on
the I'd of March following, rejected. The
vote stood-yeas 10, nays so. Douglas vot-
ed against it.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

'Slavery, then, is prohibited in all the
country acquired from Mexico, by funda-
mental lava constitutional provision, adop-
ted by the inhabitants of the country, and
which must continue in force forever, unless
repealed by competent authority. This doc
trineis not new with me, nor is It now ad-
vanced by me for the first time "-Douglas'
speech IN Senate ia1S50-Cong Globe App,
.. %, part /, page 372.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

New YORK, Aug. 25.--Counterfeit is on
the Franklin county Bank, Mass, were cir
culated here Saturday.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER Xxi.
Douglas On the Admission Of
Utah with POligamy.

"The territory Of Utah was organized un-
der one Of the acts known as the Comprom-
Use Measures Of 1850, on the supposition that
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

BosroS, Aug. 27.-Mayor Lincoln has u
letter from the Duke of New Castle. stating
that the Prince will visit Boston, but is una.
BILE to indicate the precise time.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
a.f s& aaa.a CHAPTER t a#a .a@
In 1851 Douglas Resolves never
TO make Another Speech on
the slavery Question. s.

the slavery Question. p.
In the Senate, December 23d, 1851, on
resolution declaring the Compromise meas
ures "finality." Mr.. Douglas said:
"At the close Of the long session which
adopted those measures, l resolved NEVER
to make another speech on the slavery ques-
ton in the halls Of Congress. = = "In
taking leave of this subject, wish to state
that have determined NEVR to make an.
other speech on the slavery question; ard |
will now add the hope that the necessity for
it will never exist am heartily tired of the
controversy, and know that the country is
disgusted with it. In regard to the resolu-
tons of the Senator from Mississippi, (Mr.
Foote,) Twill be pardoned for saying that
/ much doubt the wisdom and expediency of
their introduction So long
as our opponents do not agitate for repeal or
modification, why should we agitate for any
purpose? We claim that the Compromise
is final settlement not open to discussion,
and agitation, and controversy, by its friends.
What manner Of settlement is that which
Goes not settle the difficulty and quiet the
dispute? Are not the friends of the Com
promise becoming the agitators, and will not
country hold us responsible for that which
we condemn and denounce in the abolition
lists and free soilers? These are matters wor-
the of consideration. Those who preach
peace should not be the first to commence
and reopen an old quarrel" Gong. Globe
Appendix, 1s5l-2, pages 65 and 6s.
..sst .arg CHAPTER X. a. ... a..
National Democratic Platform
OF 1882 On tIse Slavery QUe>-
ton. NyIsicIs DOH.l;t> Supported
and Endorsed.
Reso're0, That the Democratic party
will resist all attempts at renewing in Con-
sress or out Of it, the agitation of tbe slavery
qdestion-under whatever shape or color the
attempt may be made Resolution of the
National Democratic Platform of 1852.
To understand how ruthlessly Mr.. Doug
las ,e-opened the present slavery agitation, it
is necessary to know that he himself intro
duced three Nebraska bills " into the SEN
ate, and that in his third bill he, for The first
time, hinted at the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

Fearful thunderstorms have ragged the las,
two days in this vicinity, with hail; anum.
Der Of buildings were destroyed.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

tory now as next year, or five or ten years |
hence" Com Globe, Session 1923, page
1113. .r a -. -s .-. ............ ...
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER VI.

Douglas i'm 1850 Acknowledge
that Slavery is Prohibited by
Wcxican LA w in Utah a nd New
MexicO-the only TerritOryOr-
ganized under the C0mprOm-
ise Measurs Of 1850. .
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
:. Nebraska Territory

most ultra Southerners: "@
Nebraska Territory
March Sd, 1865. The Senate resumed the
consideration Of the motion TO take up the
bill TO organize the territory Of Nebraska
Mr., Atchison--(Mr. Foote in the char)
Il did not expect opposition to this meas
ure yesterday from Texas and from Missis-
sippi l had thought that Arkansas, Mis-
souri, and Iowa were more particularly inter-
ested in this question.
Mr.. President, | will now state to the
Senate the views which induced me to oppose
this proposition in the early part of the
season.
| bad two objections to it. One was that
the Indian title in that territory had not
been extinguished, or at least but a very
small portion Of it had been. Another was
the Missouri Compromise, or, as it is COM
monty called, the slavery restriction. 1t was
my opinion at that time and l am now
very clear on that subiect--that the law of
Congress, when the State of Missouri was
adopted into the Union, excluding slavery
from the Territory Of Louisiana north OF
SO deg. so min. would be enforced in that
territory unless It was specially rescinded
and, whether that law was in accordance
with the Constitution of the United States OF
not, it world do its work, and that work
would be 10 preclude Shareholders from going
into that territory. But when came to look
into that question, found that there was no
prospect, no hope of repeal of the Missouri
Compromise excluding slavery from that
territory. Now, sir, am free to admit that
at this moment, at this hour, and for all time
to come, I should oppose the organization or
the settlement Of that territory unless my
constituents and the constituents OF the
whole south, of The slave States OF the Union,
could go into it upon the same footing, with
equal rights and equal privileges, carrying
that species of property with them as other
people of this Union. Yes, sir, acknowl-
edge that that would have governed me, but
| have no hope that the restriction will ever
be repealed.
l have always been Of opinion that the
first great error committed in the political
history of this country was the Ordinance
of 1856, rendering the Northwest territory
free territory. The next great error was the
Missouri Compromise. But they are both
irremmediable. There is no remedy for
them. We must submit to them. l am
prepared to do it. 1t is evident that the
Missouri Compromise cannot be repealed
So far as that question is concerned we might
as well agree to the admission of this terri
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER XXVI.
Douglas and the SeditiOn Law.

No act of our Government ever called out
such universal odium and condemnation as
the famous " Sedition Law" which under
took to coerce opinion, and to deny liberty Of
speech and of the press. Unpopularity and
defeat rewarded its proposers, and history
chronicles it as Law unworthy of the age
and Of the country where it originated.
Mr.. Douglas is the only statesman Of mod
ern times who has the hardihood to propose
the revival of this Statute He last winter
in the Senate, brought up new Sed:tion
Law sclerue, closely resembling the old one
Yet, in one respect his imitation was even
worse than the original The proposers of
the first Law had at least the excuse that
they were, as they supposed, defending
Free Government by harsh means, Mr.. Doug
las sedition law, while equally harsh, had
no object but to defend and perpetuate the
Institution of slavery. place an extract
from Mr.. Douglas speech side by side with
a portion Of the Justly infamous Sedition
Act, that all may note the striking similarity
between the two: as
SEDITION ACT. Mr.. DOUGLAS.
And be it further Mr.. President, the
enacted, That if any mode of preserving pc
person shall write, ace is plain. This
print. utter or publish, system of sectional
or shall cause or pro- warfare must cease
cme to be written, The Constitution has
printed, uttered or given the power, and
published, or shall all we ask of Congress
knowingly and will is to give us the means
lingly assist or aid inand we by indictments
writing printing, utter and convictions in the
ing or publishing any Federal Courts Of the
false, scandalous and several States, will
malicious writing or make such example Of
writings against the the leaders of these
Government of the conspiracies, as will
. United States or either strike terror to the
House ofthe Congress hearts of the otkers,
of the United States and there will be an
or the President ofend Of this crusade.
the United States with The great principle
intent to defame the that underlies the or
said government OF Ell ganization of the Re
ther House ofthe Con- publican party is vio-
greSs, or the said Pres. lent, irr o ncilable,
ident, OF to bring them eternal warfare upon
into contempt or disthe institution of Am
repute; or to erciie erican Slavery, with
against than, lie ha- view to its Ultimate
t,stl Of good people ofextinction throughout
tie Uni'ed States, or the land. Sir, con.
to stir up sedtion with fess the object of the
in the United States Legislation | contem-
or to excite any unlaw- w-plate is to PUT
iul combinations ther- DOWN this outside
elm, for opposing orinterference 10 is
resisting any law Otto repress the "irre-
the United States, orPressib'e conflict"
- Al.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
National Democratic Platform
OF 1852 On tIse Slavery QUe>-
ton. NyIsicIl DOH.l;t> Supported
and Endorsed.
CHAPTER NJ. s
The first Nebraska Bill.

On the 18th day of February A. d. 1858,
Senator Douglas, as chairman of the Com
mittee on territories, reported to the Senate
his first "act to organize the territory of Ne
braska" This act contained no repeal of
the Missouri Compromise
The following speech, on this first bill re-
ported by Douglas, made by Atchison OF
Missouri, in the Senate, on the Sd day of
March, 1858, shows that there was not only
no repeal in the bill, but not even hope or
thought of such repeal in the minds of the
most ultra Southerners: ~
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

Monument over the political remains of a
Western Senator:
"liere Lyeth We Remains of Lytle Gian-
te, who was kilt in We irrepressible conflict
for We Presidency, Charles Town, Nave the
2, 1860. Ambitious youthe take war; ing
hy his tall, and never stryve to file We place
for which We are too small"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

of course, in this procedure Mr.. Douglas
had his party at his back In order to tsst
and limit, plainly, the intent of the move
ment, Senator Harlan, of Iowa, offered rs an
amendment the following proviso.--
''But the free discussion of the morality
and expediency of Slavery should never be
inter(ered with 10y the law of any State, or
the United States and the freedom orspeech
and of the press, on this and every subject
OF domestic and national policy, should be
maintained inviolate in all the States"
The amendment was REJECTED, -Republi.
cans present voting for ii and ALL the DEM
ocrats present voting AGAINST it The par
ty thus placed irself on record in the Senate
as the opponent of Freedom of Speech
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06

"' uNe VI ttiS iNSl-
dent Of the United
States done in pur-
suance Of any such
law, or of the powers
in him vested 10y the
Constitution of the
United States /; then
such person being.
thereof convicted be-
fore any court of the
United States having
jurisdiction thereof, |
shall be punished by
a fine not exceeding!
two thousand dollars,
and by Imprisonment
not exceeding two
nt -
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
CHAPTER XII.
The Second NebraSka Bill.

On the 4th of January, 1854, Douglas as
Chairman of the Committee on Territories,
reported to the Senate his second Nebraska
Bill, (the first having failed for want of time,
during the former scssion) This second
act like the first, contained no repeal, and
was accompanied by the following report
from Mr.. Douglas:
Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-08-23

GY There is NJ objection 10
broils in a house if they emanate
from the kitchen.
Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-08-23

uAIR, Tooth, Nail, Cloth, Scrub & Shoe
IL Brushes, Port Monaies, Pocket Books,
Purses, Perfumeries, Toilet Articles, Shaving
So,ps, Pencils, Combs. Fishing Tackle, Violin &
Guitar strings, Toys, &C., &c.
epl28-2m CROPP & WILLIAMS.
Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-08-23

SMART.--A boy being praised for
his quickness of reply, gentleman
observed thus:
"When children are SO very keen,
they generally become stupid as they
advance in years"
The lad Immediately replied
"What keen boy you must have
been!"
Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-08-23
RULES FOR HOME EDUCATION.

The following are worthy of being
printed in letters of gold, and being
placed in a conspicuous position in
every household:
From your children's earliest
infancy, inculcate the necessity Of
instant obedience.
2.-Unite frmness with gentle
ness. Let your children always un-
derstand that you mean exactly what
you say.
3.-Never promise them any
thing unless you are sure you can
give them what you promise.
4.-Ifyou tell child to do any
thing, show him how to do it, and
see that i. is done.
5.-Always punish your children
for wilfully disobeying you, but
never punish in anger.
6.-Never let them perceive that
they can vex yol, or make you lose
your self-command.
III they give way to petulance
and temper, wait till they are calm,
and then gently reason with them
on the improperly Of their conduct.
s.-Remember thata little pres
ent punishment, when the occasion
arises, is much more elfectual than
the threatening ola greater punish
ment should the fault be renewed.
9.-Never give your children
anything because they cry for it.
10,-On no account allow them
to do at one time what you have for
hidden, under the like circumstan-
ces, at another.
ll.-Teach them that the only,
sure and easy way 10 appear good
IS TO be good.
I2.-Accustom them to make
little recitals the perfect truth.
I3.-Never allow a tale bearing.
l4--Teach them that self-denial,
not self-indulgence, is the appointed
and sure method of securing happi-
ness.