The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-10-09

Oh popular rlS nlS, cOquelteQ with the Re-
publcans in order to disarm their oppo.
sition, and went before the people of III.
inos as andidate for reelection to the
Senate. What right have l to speak of
his assuming mask :? have that right,
if L can show that he threw it off as soon
as his object was gained.
Review his acts in connection with the
Kansas struggle. Slavery and free labor
had for years waged their fierce war
about that unfortunate Territory with
doubtful success. Now at last no sane
man could any longer close his eyes
against the fact, that when the Lecomp-
ton outrage was perpetrated, the Free
State men outnumbered their opponents
almost ten to one. Their victory might
be delayed, but was no longer doubtful.
How had Douglas acted so long as Sa-
very had chance to gain the prepon-
derance? =? Need | remind you of the
unwavering solicitude with which he de-
Tended the Border Ruffians of the fierce
ness with which he denounced the Free
State immigration of the virulence with
which he upheld the Border Ruffian code
of laws of the promptness with which
he put his foot upon the law of the peo-
pie expressed in the Free State Const-
tuition of his brutal, cynic sneers at the
agonies of a people in distress ? Was
the election of the Border Ruffian Legis.
lature, the enactment of the Border Ruff
fan code of laws, less fragrant viola
ton of popular rights than the Lecomp-
ton Constitution How could he up
hold the former and claim any credit for
opposing the latter? Here is another
most wonderful coincidence. Just SO
long as Slavery had a chance in Kansas,
Douglas stood upon the side of Slavery.
But no sooner was the victory of Free
dom sure than Doug las was sure to stand
upon the strongest side.
And now he is held up to our admira-
ton as the 'true champion of Freedom ."
After having done more than any other
man in perpetrating The outrage. what
merit is there in helping to prevent its
final consummation, when it has become
manifest that in spite ofhim, that con-
summation has become impossible ?
Look at it. The Nebraska bill, as |
heard my friend Grimshaw in Illinois H.
lustrate it, had set fire to tho ediice Of
Territorial Liberty. The Republican
lire companies are vigorously at work !;
the Republican engines are playing with
full force, and then comes the very IN
cendiary, Douglas, with little tea.
spoonful of Anti Lecompton water,
throws it into the flames, and swells him.
self up and claims to have extinguished
the contlagralion- and So he goes before
the people OF Illinois as the true cham
pion of Freedom "
Aud this he would hardly have had
the courage to do, had not, rs is now
known TO all of Us, the indignant threats
OF the gallant Broderick overawed him
when he was about to compromise with
Buchanan.
| repeat, would never stoop to ques-
ton the motives which actuated him, in
the Lecompton struggle, had not the acts
which preceded il made his honesty
doubtful and had not those that follow
ed il precluded all belief in the sincerl-
ty of his repentance. Ii he was honest,
you will be obliged to confess, it is ex
ceedngly hard TO prove it on him.
On the strength oi this exploit he sue
ceeded IN carrying his point in Illinois +;
not indeed by n popular majority, for
that was against him, but By an old Ger
rymandering apporIionment Ii was one
1t those lugubrlous victories, which con
sist in narrow escape from total ami.
hIlatlou. But his seat is regained and
now he throws wistful eye upona a high
sr seat and remembers at once that the
Democratic road TO the White House
eads through the slayeholding States.
So he turns his face Southward without
ielay, and sets out on trip down the
Mississippi. lie is at once betrayed in
o making a few remarks. here and there,
o spontaneous gatherings. Suddenly
We find the man who had tried TO delude
he people OF Illinois into the belief that
lnder the Kansas Nebraska bill, the peo-
pie had right to exclude slavery, in the
south busily apologising for it and nov
behold the old Douglas again welding
he weapon OF sophistry with unblushing
bold ness, and endeavoring 10 make his
doctrine of Popular Sovereignty palata-
Die TO the Southern stomach.
The development of tho Popular Soy
,reignty doctrine is one Of the most in
chapters in the history OF our
lays. 1t shows how easily the popular
mind can be obfuscated by a sophistical
'lauslbility, and how easily correct prin-
;lp!es are lost sight of in the confused
Of interests and aspirations
Future generations will scrutinizo with
curious astonishment the history Of our
lays, and wonder At the temporary sue
,ess of 50 transparent a fraud. Permit
ne brief depression.
Popular Sovereignty, in the true sense
If the term, means the sovereignty Of all
individuals, SO regulated by law rs to
protect the rights and liberties of any
me against the encroachments Of any
'ther, and 50 organized by political insti,
utions as TO give common expression |
Q the collective will. lis natural basis !
5 the equality Of the rights Of all men.
Is natural end is the protection Of all
i'll the exercise of thor rights
nd in the enjoyment of their liberties
lanaa - ,,4a.i,,l, ia Ia NC -t.,....