Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-09-21
Douglas Reply to Mr.. Breckin
ridges Speech--Sharp Words.

We make the following extract--from the late
speech of Judge Douglas ct Baltomore in feply to
Breckenridge Lexington address;
When citizen of Vermont arrays himself against
the Constitution and the laws by resisting the
Marshal in the execution of the Fugitive-save Law
we do not allow the yolater to screen himself un-
der the sovereignty of Vermont but we punish the
violators of the law wherever we find them Se-
cession means revolution. II Is only another word
for the same meaning. hold to the inherent right
of revolution, wherever the evils of civil and
revolution less than obedience TO the law. 1t is
upon that principle that Washing ton, jefferson,
Franklin and Adams justified their conduct in sece-
ding from the British Empire.
When they seeded, they did not skuIk behind
the pretended sovereignty Of the colonies. They
avowed that the evils of resistance were less than
those of submission They looked the gallows in
the face aud like brave men, dared all the conse-
quences of their acts though the halter awaited their
necks had they failed.
And when Charles Carol, of Maryland, God
bless him, was told In signing his TO the Dec
laration Of independence, that there was so many
Charles Carols that the King would not be able
to find him who signed that paper, he stepped back
and added after his name. "Carrolton." ICheers.
II hope the revolutionist of this day who have a
scheme to break up this government will have the
manliness to put down the of their residence
that will be able TO send the Sheriff after them
Laughter and appause.1
believe there Is no evil in this country for which
the Constitution and laws will not provide remedy
much less is their any for which secession prop
er remedy. At Narfolk, when the Breckenridge
elector but these questions me- indicating that he
and his party intended to dissolve the Union if Lin
coin was elected, ! answered them frankly, and az
ter doing so, said to him that he was bound, as
man Of honor TO PROFOUND the same questions to h
candidate, and let Mr.. Breckinridgc answer them
/ Applause. The answer came to me from the crowd
at shall be DONE"
The Louisville Democrat in Kentucky, paper
friendly to me- copied those questions and my an
swer and called upon Major Breckinridge to responC
to them in his speech at Lexington yesterday. II
that speech, according to the report which saw L
night, Mr. Breckinridge refers to my speeches il
New England, and also in the South showing tina
he had seen my Virginia speeches--and the ques
tions and answers were in the first speech mad
in that State--but looked throuhg his speech il
vain TO find his answers 10 those questions.
| ask you what does it mean2 Breclinridg
eletor catechses me whether | will favor disunol
in certain event which Breckenridge and his friend
will be rsponsble for producing ii II happens, ant
when Breckinridgegis called upon 70 answer tn
same question, he cannot answer It, Other question
trivial questions, imaginary charges, which no MAI
ever dreamed ho was guilty Of were specified AM
answered but this great question, involved the fat
of this Union, involving the existerce Of conspi
racy TO break il up when brought to his notice
not answered.
| tell you, my fellow-citizens, believe this Un
ion is now in danger In my opinion there is a ma
ture plan throughout the Southern States to breaku
the Union. | believe the election Of n black re
publican is to be the signal for that attempt, an
that the leaders Of the scheme desire the election
Lincoln so ms TO have an excuse for disunion d
not believe that every Breckenridge man is disun
ionist but | do believe that every disunionist u
America is Breckinrdge man. loud cheers, an
hence desire Maj, Breckenridge to answer specific
ally on this point, whether or not he will enfOrc
the laws of the land In the event Of an attempt I
secede or break up this Union? We have right I
have an answer from him on this question.