Des Arc citizen., 1860-08-15
BREcKINRIDGE vs. DOUGLAS.


 Douglas and Breekinridge are long way apart upon the Territorial issues We place in iuxtaposiiion extracts from Doug- | as Freeport speech in December lest. They need no comment:
 EXTRACT FROM DOUGLAS FREEPoRTI
 SPEECH.
 LrNcoLN's SpEEcH.--Can'tth the people of the United States Territories, in any lawful way, against the wishes of any citizen of the Uni ted States, exclude slavery from their limits prior to the formation of State Constitu- ton? DouGLAs' ANswER-T The next question propounded to me by Mir. Lincoln is, can the people of Territory, in any lawful way, against the wishes of any citizen of the lni- ted.States, exclude slavery from their limits prior to the formation of State Constitution? l answer emphatcaly, as MT. Lincoln has heard me answer hundred times, from every stump in Illinois, that in my opinion the peo- pie of Territory can, by lawfnl means, ex- ,clude slavery from their limits prior to the formation of Slate Constitution. Enthusi- astic appause.] MT. Lincoln knew that had answered that question over and over again. He heard me argue the Nebraska bill on that principle all over the State in 1854, in 1855, and in 1856, and he has no excuse for pretending to be in doubt as to my position on that question. Itmatters not what way the Su- preme Court may hereafter decide as to the abstract question, whether slavery may or may not go into Territory under the Consti- tuition; the people have the lawful means to- introduce it or exclude it as they please, for the reason that slavery cannot exist day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police regulations. Right, right. l-' These police regulations can only be estab- lished by local legislation, and If the people are opposed to slavery, they will elect repre- sentatives to that body who will, by unfrlend- ly legislation, effectually prevent the intro ducton of it into their midst If. on the con trary, they are for it, their legislation will favor its extension. Hence, no matter what the decision of the Supreme Court may be on that abstract question, still the right of the people to make slave Territory or a free Territory is perfect and complete under the Nebraska bill. IhoFe MT. Lincoln deems my answer satisfactory on that point.
 EXTRACTFROMM MIR. BRECKINRIDGE'S
 FRANKFORT SPEECH, LAST DECEM-
 BER.
 MT, Breckinridge has been speaking of the Dred Scott decision, and continues as follows:
 
 been authoritatively determined by the very tribunal to which it was referred, that Con gress had no power to exclude slave property from the Territories, and judicialy determ- ined that the Territorial Legislatures-au~ thorities created by Congress-had not the power to exclude or confscate slave property, confess that had not anticipated that the doctrine of friendly legislation would be set up. Hence, need not say to you that do lof; wi af frin ltr tao- is ation; that do not believe in the authority of Territorial Legislatures to do by indirection what they cannot do directly. lrepose upon the decision of the Supreme Court of the Uni ted States. as to the point that neither Con- gress nor the Territorial Legislature has the right to obstruct or confscate the property of any citizen, slaves included, pending the Ter ritorial condition. Applause
 do not see any escape from that decision, if you admit that the question was judicial one if you admit the decision of the supreme Court, and if you stand by the decision of the highest Court of the country.
 The Supreme Court seems to have recogniZ ed it as duty of the Courts of the Union, in their proper sphere, to execute this Constitu- tional right, thus adjudicated by the Supreme Court in the following language. In speak ing of the acquisition of territory, they pro- nounceit political question for Congress to determine what Territories they may acquire, and how many. Now mark the words of the Court.
 [Here follows a quotation from the de- cision.]
 So that in regard to slave property, as in regard to any other property recognized and guaranteed by the Constitution, it is the duty, according to the Supreme Court, of all the Courts of the country. to protect and guard it by their decision whenever the question is brought before them To which 1 only add, that the judicial decisions in our favor must be maintained--those judicial decisions must be sustained. [Applause.]
 If present remedies are adequate to sustain these decisions, would have nothing more done. I with many other public men in the country, believe they are adequate. If they are not-if they cannot be enforced for the want of proper legislation to enforce them, sufficient legislation must be passed or our Government is failure. Applause ] Gen tlemen, see no escape from that conclusion.