Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-01-26

sound because did change as suddenly as
they did. My only offence consists in my
fidelity. l challenge the world to show that
1 have changed hairs breadth on that
question during that eleven years. It shows
that the majority have changed their policy,
but I have not changed my opinisns.
Mr.. GREEs: I viii ask the Senator frem
illinois whether, in 1856, I was mistaken
in believing that he held that the power TO
prohibit slavery in the Territories was ju'
dicial question, to be left as judicial quss-,
lion, and to be submitted to a. q judicia
question?
Mr.. DoueLAs: Yes, will submit now.
Mr.. GREEN: At that time there was a
difference of opinion between Democrats
whether Congress could, by legislative ac-
tion. prohibit slavery in a territory directly
or indirectly, or not; and l did asssrt that
never in his whole life, never during the
eleven years 10 which he refers, or the years
that have transpired since, did he assert,
until the Freeport speech, that Congress
had not the power and the territsry had
When the Dred Scstt decision was rendered
We supposed that the whole question would
be settled and give peace forever. There
fore this rsstatement Of the case strikes US
with sstonishment, and we feel regret.
Mr.. DOUGLAS: In 1856 said that it was
judicial question, over and over again. 1
said SO before 1856, and have always said
it since 1856. I declared in my Tllinsis
speeches that it was Judicial question,
and l have declared the same thing in eve
ry publication that have made for the last
two years. assert now that it is judic-
ial question. The point is that it was no
want Of soundness in principles that / held
one side Of the judicial question while 9TH
ers held the ether; but assert that the Sen
ate did knew that held that side of the ju-
dicial question. And more, have always
said that / would abide by the decision of
the Supreme Court. But take the law as
sxpoundsd by the Court. l received the
Dred Scott decision as IN authoritative ex-
position, but / deny that this case has been
decided under the Dred Scott dscision.-
There is not one fact in that case upon
which il could have arisen. The lawyers
never dreamed that i. could arise, and it is
offensive and injurious to the reputation Of
the Court. The Dred Scott decision did
not settle it. 1t was net argued before the
court. 1t would have been dissracefil if
the Court had decided what was not Lefere
it. Whenever the Territorial Legislature
passed an enactment. prohibiting slavery,
the Supreme Court could decide the quss-
tion, and he could respect the decision
He would then hel p TO carry it out in good
faith. That was the understanding when
the Nebraska bill passed. He did not be-
lieve the decision of the court would be
against his views.
Mr.. GREEN stated his views to the un-
derstandiHg at the time Of the passage Of
the Kansas bill snd said the Senator from
Illinois wottld not dare, TO dispute his prop
osition.
Mr.. DOUGLAS replied that the word
"dars" was unnecessary, and it was un-
necessary 10 handy words. He dared as
sert the truth. He thought he knew wha.
his own opinions had been as tbs Senator
from Missouri. He would vindicats every
werd he had said, and when Senator'S had
all gotten through the bills Of indictment
against him, he would FIRE at them in .
lump. re-..
Mr.. Green (exciiingly )-Ths Senator
can fire away whenever il suits his sonvs-
nience, either at Us in lump or individu.
ally. There is one individual who is ready
ts NEE. him at PhiIlippi. know and as
ssrt that no man ever claimed that the Ter.
ritories possessed more power than Con-
gress, until the FrespOrt speech.
Mr.. ProH resumed-It was easy to
thrust personal feeling and personal as
saults into the controversy. This had been
done by the Senator from Mississippi, and
initiated by the Senator from Missouri
He commended that the power Of the people
of the Territories was still an open question.
When it was decided BY the courts he was
ready to obsy. The whole controversy had
been thrust upsn the Senator from Illineis
and himself under circumstances Of outrage
md indignity which had to be met. Ifthey
continued to b pteisad in this manner ths
fate Of the Democratic party was sealsd.-
The question had been thrust forward by
he President in hi, message. by the Vice
President in his address to the Legislature,
md on this floor. He referred 10 Execu-
i've dictation, and the attempt to cssrss frss