The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-03
Interesting Speech from Judge Douglas.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF TIE TERRI
TORIES.

THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF TIE TERRI
TORIES.
The following is the material portion of
the speech of Judge DOUGLAS delivered at
Albany, New York, on Friday, the Goth
instant, on the occasion of public recep-
tion given him in that city:
They were told that the people of Ter
ritory have such rights as Congress has spe-
cially delegated to them, and no more. That
was the very doctrine that brought on the
Revolution which resulted in the freedom of
the United States The British Govern
ment told US that the Colonies had lust so
much right as the Crown delegated to them,
and no more. The Colonies replied that
they did not receive their rights from the
Crown, but from God Almighty, and that
they intended to maintain and defend those
rights And it was because the Colonies
would not acknowledge the preIosterous
claim set up by the British Government,
that the Declaration of Independence was
put forth and the battles of the Revolution
were fought. Thus, the war of the Revolu-
tion was fought for the right of the people,
IN Colonies or In Territories, as we'll as 10
States, to govern themselves and to regu-
late their own domestic concerns.
Now if we allow the people of the Ter
ritories to govern themselves and to regulate
their own affairs in accordance with the
Constitution of the United States, we shall
have harmony between the North and the
South, the East and the West, and this
Union can last forever on the same princi-
pies as those on which it was originally
founded.
He would ask why the time of Congress
should be forever occupied in the discussion
and agitation of this question of slavery?
Why, if one of the citizens before him had
an honest demand against the government,
and should ask bis representative on bis re-
turn home why that claim had not been
passed, the answer would be, there had not
been time-the whole session had been occu-
pied with the discussion of the slavery ques-
tion. When the people of California in
quire why the Pacific Railroad project has
not been pushed forward, and why mail
routes have not been laid out, the reply is,
there was no time-the slavery question has
occupied it all. When the people of Penn
sylvana ask why no revision of the tariff
has been made-why their interests have not
been protected-their representatives excuse
themselves by pleading want of time. And
so in regard 10 every material interest of the
country, which is cast aside because the
time of Congress is taken up with the dis.
cussion of this question of slavery. Now,
will it not be wise to exclude that question
of slavery forever from Congress, and to
leave the people free to decide it for them
selves? Shouts of Eyes, yes!' and loud
applause. That was the principle estab-
lished by the compromise measures of 1850.
That was the principle that was carried
into effect by the great Clay and the immor-
tai Webster in 1850. Loud applause I
That was the principle established in he
Wing platform Of 1852, aud in the Demo-
cratic platform of the same year. That is
the principle to which the Democratic party
now stands pledged, and the only principle
upon which the friends Of the Un,on and of
the Constitution can now rally to put down
both Northern and Southern Sectionalism.
and to restore peace to the country.
[Cheers.
He feared be- had been led into remarks
upon subjects that might be deemed politi-
cal. He did not intend this year to enter
into any discussion of "a political or party
character, but he had suppos' that his
friends who had thus honOred him had ex-
pected him to make some few remarks on
the general topics of interest at the present
time, and he had never yet learned how to
conceal an opinion wb' never it was desired
by bis friends. Loud applause) Hence
lie was in the habit Of expressing bis opinion
in plain language that could not we'll be
misunderstood, and yet he hoped in such a
manner as to render it impossible that be