The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-12-21
Union Demonstration in Washington
sr Serenade to Judge Douglas.

friends, headed by the Marine Band, pro
ceeded TO his residence to pay, him tn
compliment Of a serenade, and congratu
late him on his safe return They foun(
him surrounded by bis family, the Illinois
Members Of Congress, and number O
intimate personal friends. He never ap
Peared in better health, though still suffer
ing little lameness from his fall at Mont
gomery, Alabama. Z.F -as
II was generally known in the city tha
Judge DOUGLAS was 10 be serenaded, ant
an immense crowd was attracted, anxious
to hear bis views on the distressing ones
ton Of secession, the expectation being
that he would offer some suggestions which
would solve the difficulties now surround
ing us. After several patriotic airs by ths
Band, Judge DorGtas appeared on the
sters of bis residence, and was greeted b,
the most vehement bursts of applause.
In behalf Of the people, JoHN F. Ennis,
Esq, Of Washington, addressed him in a
brief and appropriate speech, TO which
Judge DouoLAs replied as follows: noo-
Mr. Ennis, tender 10 you, and through
you to those you represent, my sincere
thanks for this expression Of your respect.
To be thus welcomed on my arrival by SO
large number of the citizens Of Wash
ington, on such cold and dreary night
as this, is compliment of which any man
might well be proud. 1t is true that have
,ived among you during the sessions Of
Congress for seventeen years, and have ex-
changed with you and received from you
acts Of kindness which remain fresh in my
heart, and will always be cherished with
pleasure. [Cheers. To be thus received
by those who know me best, and who have
been personal witnesses of the mode in
which | have heretofore discharged my
public duties, fully appreciate, and it in
spires me with renewed energy 20 fulfill
those of the future. TCheers1
II is true, as you have said, that from the
time the canvass opened, | was actively
engaged in the rindication of those great
constitutional principles upon which | be
lieve this Union depends, and was able to
ayow my sentiments in the same terms in
the North and in the South, in the East
and in the West-from Bangor, Maine, to
Jefferson City in Missouri, and from the
Lakes to the Gulf Of Mexico SO long as
we live under Constitution which is the
be administered in such manner as to
impart equal rights, equal justice, and equal
protection to the citizens Of all the States
T" That's right" and cheers hold that
the integrity and perpetuity Of this Repub
lie depend upon maintaining, on the slave
~ question, that great principle Of non in
terven.ion which says to every people, re-
gulate your own domestic affairs in your
own way, subject only to the Constitution
of the United States. T" Gooi,' and
cheers This vexed question OF slavery
existed when our fathers framed the Con-
stitution, as well as now and if we only
carry out the principle upon which they
made the government, we can preserve the
Union, and transmit it to our latest poster
ity. ["God bless you," and cheers. =
The Federal Government must never inter
except to perform its constitutional obliga-
tion by returning fugilives when they es
cape from their masters. I" Good" and
cheers. That obligation to return fugi
tive slaves is incorporated in the Constitu-
ton, and is binding upon the conscience
and the patriotism of every good citizen.
r. That's it." and loud applause. If the
doctrine ot non~intervention by the Fede-
raj Government had been fairly carried
out, and the fugitive slave law been hon.
estly obeyed, in my opinion, this Republic
would not now be in peril. T.'You're
right" and cheers 1 havo otiII hope, aud
l will cling to that hope with the tenacity
of life, that the patriotism of the people
will yet save this country from the dangers
which environ it. Loud cheers.
read in the cars the other day. on nv
vav to this city, the patriotic and eloquent
speech of the gallant Stephens, of Geor
gia. ["Hurrah for Douglas and Stephens,
and long-continued applause. And that
speech inspired me with the hope that
there was still virtue enough left to save
the Union. [Cheers. endorse heartily
the propositions which he submits as ba-
SIS of adjustment. ["Good," and cheers |
The Georgia platform, upon which he
plants himself, provides-frst, that as a
fundamental principle of justice and con-
.titutional law, no new State shall De ex.
cluded because she has slavery in her con-
s.itution; second, that the Wilmot proviso
shall not be applied TO any OF the Terri
tories Of the United States and third, that
Congress shall never interfere with the
slave trade between the States; fourth, that
Congress shall pass no laws in the District
of Columbia which will endanger the
peace and saf>ty of the slaveholding
States; and fifth, that Congress shall new
er pass any law repealing or impairing The
efficiency Of the fugitive slave law
f. Good" and cheers.
These five propositions embraced all thai
Georgia asked, all that the Southern States
demanded, in the great contest of 1850
81. | think they were just then, and ]
believe that the patriotism Of this country
North and South, will rally upon then
now. [Chesrs.
Mr.. Stephens adds sixth proposition
to the effect that all State legislation whicl
throws obstructions in the way of the faith
ful execution Of the fugitive slave law ,shal