The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-08-10

under which the meeting was called, introduced
Mr.. Williams to the people. He was greeted
with cheers. Alter very appropriate eIordi-
um, the speaker took up the positions assumed
by Mr.. Marshall the evening previous, In course
and in speech which for ability, for directness
of reasoning we have seldom heard equalled or
surpassed, demonstrated their unsoundness,
aud the great errors. both In tact and argument
into which Mr.. Marshall had fallen. A more
triumphant and convincing reply to political
heresies Of the most pernicious character could
hardly have been made. and In behalf Of our
republican friends whom We know without ex-
ception agree with US in their views Of Mr..
williams success, we thank him. We have not
the space for any synopsis Of Mr.. Williams
speech, and we can only say that every step
in his argument was fortified by references to
the legislative history OF the country OF the
most indlsputable character, and rs he pro-
ceeded step by step to demonstrate by hard
facts, that the agitation now prevailing In the
country, on the slavery question had Its origin
in the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and
that Douglas as the author of that unhappy
measure was justly chargablc with the agitation
we think that even the democrats must have
felt the force Of the reasoning. We have never
listened to more close, logical and compact
presentation of the questions involved In the
bred Scott Decision. and the successive steps
by which the Slave Holding 0ligarchy propose
to make slavery co-eItensive with the bounda-
ries of the republic. His allusion to the third
step, the two first having been as he said taken,
the character Of which was foreshadowed by
the outgoings ofthe Supreme Court. and the
necessity of the Republicans Of the tree States
to march in serried ranks "keeping step always
to the music Of the Union," to prevent the step
being taken was made in the most ehectual and
convincing manner. Mr.. Williams spoke for
two hours, and whether demolishing Mr..
Marshall's argument, or showing the absurdi-
ty Of his statistics was equally happy and
equally satisfactory.
Mr.. Marshall was present, and at Its close,
by the courtesy ofthe Republicans present and
Mr.. Williams, cssayed areply. twas however
feeble and imperfect effort, characterized 1t Is
true by some smartness, but complete failure
to shake single position Of Mr.. Williams.
W are sorry to say that Mr.. Marshall hardly
preserved that decorum Of manner and respect
for his audience, that might have been expected.
Il was by the courtesy of Mr.. Williams and his
republican friends that he was permitted to
speak, and this alone should have led him. If
nothing else, to refrain from any exhibition of
plantation manners, and from attempts to treat
a New England audience, as he would have
treated gang Of slaves on his plantation. His
frequent statements that his hearers were ignor-
ant and wanted such instruction as he could
give them, and that they were governed by
their prejudiccs and acted politically from
them, were in bad taste, and in any other place
but in New England where intelligence prevails
and where men can make allowances for man.
ners acquired among the influences of slavery,
would hardly have been endured. There were
many, very many among those present, men
as capable of understanding the issues Of the
contest as he was himself, and his wholesale
denunciation of the audience who were disposed
to listen to him patiently, was offensive in the
extreme Our people here are not accustomed
to the flourish of the plantation whip, and their
prejudces II any they have will never be SUBJ
duel by plantation uaannors such rs Mr.. Mar
shall exhibited.
We noticed however, not without some salts
faction, that Mr. Marshall in his attempts to
reply feltoblged to take quite different ground
from that which he occupied the evening before,
and to meet in some degree, and so faras relates
to the question Of how slavery is established
and upheld in the States and Territories, fully
the views of the republicans. lie endorsed fully
the republican idea, that slavery could only
DO upheld by municipal law. completely 80
that Il was not, and here we quote him correct
~, "On an equality Nth other property, or
like property in horse or eoT, but Il Tas
solely and eselusirsly the creature Of munich
nal la,c.' These were his words, reported ut
our request, and we asked him to repeat them,
because we were aware that MIR. Douglas and
Mr.. johnson the candidates for the Presidency
and vice Presidency stood on different grounds.
Mr.. Marsahll is here making speeches in this
State and we ask our contemporaries in the west
and other States, for we know he will never
make such declarations to democratic audiences
there, to note this admission. And we ask the
attention OF the public here, Democrats, many
of whom we know to be honest, who heard this
declaration, and his further declaration, that
this was the position OF Mr.. Douglas to the
following statement.
In his New Orleans speech Mr.. Douglas
states his position In this manner:
the Democracy of Illinois. In the first place.
accepts the decision Of the Supreme Court Of
the United States, In the case of bred Scott, as
an authoritative Interpolation Of the Consfi-
fulton.
In accordance with that decision. we hold
that slaves are property, and hence ON an
equality with all other kinds OF property, and
the own Of slave has the same right to move
into q territory, and carry his property with
him. rs the owner of any other property has to
go there and carry his property
There is. II will be perceived, fatal variance
between Mr.. Douglas statement Of his position,
and the statement of It by his slave.holding
friend Mr.. Marshall. Mr.. Douglas holds to
the bred Scott decision that siarss are prop
sriy andh on an equality ,rih other prop
Giy Sc. This is all We need to say. the fiat
contradiction ofMr. Marshall must DO apparent
to all.
Mr.. Marshall also supports Mr.. johnson for
vice President, let US see what ere his views on
the same point.
And Mr.. johnson. said in speech made not
long since In Georgia:
Slave property stands on the same footing
as all other descriptions Of property, and nei-
ther the General Government, nor any IEuRl-
roRIAL GOVERNMENT. can destroy or impair
the right to slave property In the territories
any more than the right to any other descrir-
ton Of property; property OF all kinds, slaves
as well as other species Of property In the terri;
tories, stand upon the same equal and broad
constitutional basis, ane subject to like princi-