Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-02-16

I
popular sovereignty, Mr. Douglas in
vents his false popular sovereignty in
order 10 make room for Slavery. The
ordinance of 1TS7. the true Jefferson
plan.' was indeed no mere accident. no
mere occasional act of legislation. II
sprang from the idea. as Madison ex-
pressed it, that republican institu-
tions would become fallacy where
Slavery existed. and in order to guar
antee republican institutions to the
Territories. they excluded Slavery.
The ordinance OF 1877 was the log
zeal offspring ofthe principles on which
your independence and your Cons,itu-
tion are founded; it is the practical ap-
plication of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence of the government of the
Territories. It's very existence sets
completely at nought Mr.. Douglass ;
doctrine, aud historical construction.
and the dwariish hand of the dema-
gogue tries in vain to tear this bright
page out of your annals. The ordi-
nance of 1877 stands written on the
very gateposts OF the Northwestern
States, written on every grain field
that waves in the breeze; on every fac
tory that dots the course of their rush
lug waters; on every cottage that har
bors thrifty freemcn; written in every
heart that rejoices over the blessings of
liberty. There it stands in characters
of light. Only blind man can not
see. only fool can misunderstood it:
only knave can willingly misinter-
pret it.
Such is Mr. Douglass principle of
popular sovereignty in its logical and
historical aspect; apparently adopting
the doctrine that Slavery is the crea-
ture OF local law only, and fighting
against congressional slave code. but
on the other hank admitting the very
principle on which Protection to slave
property becomes logical necessity:
and again assuming the ground. that
slaveproperty may be introdueedwhcre
there is no local law, but explaining
way the 10 gical consequences of that
doctrine by the transparent sopistry Of
unfriendly legislation; dragging the
proudest exploits of American STATES
manship into the dust. emasculsting
the Declaration of Independence be-
cause incompatible with its principles;
setting aside the ordinance of l7S7 be-
cause that stern fact is a conclusive
historical argument against it: a ies-
ultical piece of equivocation;
unable to stand before the criticism of
a logical mind, because it is a mixture
of glaring contradictions; unable to
stop the war of principle and interest.
because 1T is at war with itself. Zap
plause. 1t is true, its principal
champion worked hard to cover with
bullying boisterousness the moral
cowardice from which it sprang; but
in vain. He mistakes the motive
power which shapes the actions of
free nations. Having no moral con-
victions of his own to stand upon, he
could never address himself to the
moral sense of the people. (Sensa-
tom Having no moral convictions
of his own This is a grave charge,
but | know what | say. | respect
true convictions wherever | find them.
Among the fire eaters of the South
there are men, who speak OF the moral
basis of slavery, and believe in it; who
speak of the blessings of servitude and
believe in it; who assert that slavery is
right, and believe it. Atrocious their
errors may be, and deeply as | deplore
them, yet | respect their convictions
as soon as | find them out. But look
into the record of the champion
popular sovereignty" sean it from
syllable to syllable. and then tell me.
you Douglasites of the South, do you
find one word there indicating a moral
conviction that slavery is right? And
you Douglasites of the North, who are
in the habit of telling US that you are
the true anti-slavery men, and that
popular sovereignty will surely work
the overthrow Of the institution-did
your master ever utter a similar senti-
ment? Do You find in his record one
word of sympathy with the down
trodden and degraded? One spark OF
the humane philosophy of our age?-
One syllable in vindication OF outraged
dignity of human nature? One word
which might indicate moral conyic-
tion that Slavery is wrong? Not onel
But one thing he does tell you
Il do not care whether Slavery be
voted up or down." There is, then.
human heart that does not carel Sir.
look over this broad land, where the
struggle has ragged for years and years:
a l..