Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-18
ReccntIon of Mr.. DougIas

Hon. Stephen y. Douglas passed through
this city yesterday afternoon by the three
O'Clock express train for Boston. AT the West
Brookfield station where the cars stopped
few minutes, he cane out upon the platform
and addressed few words to those assembled
at the depot Here Mr. Douglas was met by
Messrs. George W. Gill and Levi Barker Of
this city On arriving here, he was received
at the western depot by a very large crowd Of
people, the majority of whom Were republi.
cans. His political friends fired salute, and
he was introduced to the people by Hon. Isaac
Davis, who spoke few words appropriate to
the occasion. We understand that Mr.. Doug
las was somewhat disinclined to be called
forth for a formal speech but he was per-
suaded to speak, and addressed the assemblage
substantially as follows =
MIR. DOUGLAS SPEECH.
My FELLOW CITIZENS OF WORCESTER
To meet this large assembly collected on so
short notice, fills my heart with gratitude.
1t was my intention to pass through your city
quietly, without any demonstration and now
l have neither time nor inclination to discuss
the great political issues involved in the i'm.
pending contest l rejoice to meet the people
of my native New England. 1t was here in
New England that the principle of popular
sovereignty originated and was first establish
ed. Here in these states long ago, the people,
refusing submission to the dictation of the
British king, or the British parliament, claim.
ed it us a right, that these outside powers
should not interfere with their domestic insti-
buttons, and that they should be allowed to
manage their own affairs in their own way.
~ ha in no a nj
pealing 10 certain sentiments and prejudices
against the rights of the south. In the SOUTH
there is accession party appealing to
the same drejudices against the north
The republican party aims to prohibit slay.
cry where the people want it. The Seces-
sion party claims right to maintain slavery
where the people don't want it. The demo-
cratic party proclaims the principle OF non.in-
PREVENTION with that institution in state or
territory we propose to leave the people
of the territories to manage their domestic
institutions in their own way. Let the
state of Massachusetts maintain her right
to govern herself make her own laws,
create her own institutions, and mind her own
business. When [ come into Massachusetts,
if don't like the laws, if | am not satisfied
with her institutions, had better go back to
Illinois. So with the people that go to the
territories. 1t is none of our business what
sort OF laws the people OF Kansas or any other
territory have, if they are satisfied with them.
1t is their business, and not ours. If those
who go there from the north don't like the
laws and institutions, let them stay away; and
if those who go there from the south don't
like them, let them stay away.
But the conductor warns me that my time
is up and l am glad it is, for | am in danger
of violating my promise not to make politi
cal speech. L must now close and bid you
farewell, thanking you for your kind atten-
ton.
The whole demonstration occupied about
fifteen minutes. Mr.. Douglas rode in the rear
car of the train, and on concluding his speech,
he retired to the rear platform of this car, and
was there constrained to hold brief levee.
The greetings and hand-shakings were still
in a very active state of operation, when the
cars started for Boston.