New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-25

cal blunder of modern times. 1t had its origin in
the lack of penetration Of sagacity, Of Judgment,
of understanding. Mr. Douglass essential quail
ities of intellect and character are further Illus
trated in his views on Slavery He evidently fails
to see that the question of Slavery has a moral
aspect. We doubt whether he sees it has social
and political aspect, though we. rather think the
last.naned view has been shot little way into his
brain since he turned the Democratic party bottom
side ND BY his Nebraska bill. But he evidently
regards Slavery in the main as neither good nor
bad, supposing il is just as completely under the
control of human enactments in all it's changes and
DEVELOPMENTS. as the business Of cattle-breeding
would be. lie appears to us to talk in shaliower
and more cold-blooded manner about Slavery than
any man in public life.
In his speech on Monday, Mr.. Douglas says he
wants fresh batch of laws on Slavery He finds
it difficult to quen the Republicans by voting;
therefore he wants to put them down by law lie
has conceived the happy expedient coming at his
adversares through the statute book instead OF the
ballot-box. He proposes, substantially that the
party that wants to spread Slavery shall pass laws
to stop the proceedings of the party that wants to
prevent its spread Isn't this q shrewd scheme
So readily passed So easily executed after it's
passage In the speech referred to, he bravely
Haunted declaration TO this effect "Ths is the
{" way will meet your irrepressibe conflict, this
:. is the way will put it down;-by ia~"! Did
mortal man ever expose his own lack of intelligent
comprehension fhis subject more clearly than Doug
las 10 this shallow threat of a shallow expedient'
What must be the mans conception of the forces that
oppose each other in that conflict All Mr. Sena-
tor, you are as much beyond your depth you were
in advocating the repeal of the Missouri Comprom-
ise You do not the position, the bearings or the
relations of the subject you discuss. Your Fugi-
tive Slave Law for white men, your law to put
down all opposition inthe Free States to the spread
of Slavery, would prove idle and abOrtye in the
execution as it is infamous in its conception.
You do not expect to pass it, we know; but your
folly is none the less transparent for that Its I'M
pudent inconsistency with the fundamental idea Of
Sauatter Sovereignty, and with all sound views OF
Liberty and Democracy, is not less striking. 1t
exhibits the conflict of mind that while processing
liberal IDEAS nevertheless longs to play the tyrant.
Mr.. Douglas, we are constrained to say, we have
meaner opinion than ever of both your honesty and
your understanding. We know that you strike
boldly and recklessly for the Charleston nominal
ton, and that this nomination is the inspiring mo-
tive Of your present demonstration. But, afro
cions as your scheme u.s. better even, you and your
friends will undoubtedly represent it, to promote
the interests and the spread of Slavery than any
Slave Code it will not you in the South. You
will in the end find that of your little you have sac
riiced, while you have gained nothing.