The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-08-02

forcing upon them institutions which the
abhorred, and invoking the interpositio
OF Congress in their behalf, the pridet
father OF "untrammeled popular soyer
eighty turned his back upon bis violated
child, and closed bis ears, as in death, &
complaints of outrage almost without
parallel IN the civilization of the century
These despoiled pioneers, who had taken
up their abode in the Territory under tb'
most solemn guarantees of self-goyern
meut, only asked to prove their accusa
tlon, and to be relieved from oppression q
In other words they declared that they
had never been able to enjoy self. govern.
ment, that they we're ruled BY invaders,
and demaDded the sovereignty conferred
By Law upon them. Mr.. Douglas should
have been the 6rst man to fly to their re-
lief; and il be had been as completely ded
icated to the principles of bis bill as some
would make us believe, he would have ur-
ged investigation and carried it. So far
from having done so, be put himself in
the lead of those Senators most hostile to
an exposition, and became the mere mouth
piece, advocate, and apologi.t of those
engaged in the work of forcing Slavery
upon an unwilling people. He enjoyed
at that time the full confdnnce Of the
South, and bis democracy was orthodox
because he was 10y to his task k-masters,
willing to do battle for their most extrav-
agant demands. He was then Chairman
of the Committee on Territories, and /
call attention to his report as suoh, made
March IL, 1856, as conclusive upon the
point | have stated. Iu that paper he
could find nothing to say against foreign
conspiracy to invade the soil of Kansas
and control elections, but be had much to
offer in condemnation of eastern associa-
tions to encourage removal thither. He
could discover no Irregularities in the re-
turn of Mr.. Wbitefeld, the Pro Slavery
Delegate to the House of Representatives,
but he clearly discerned that the Terrific
rial Legislature was a legally elected
body, with perfect authority to enact the
most cruel and arbitrary slave codes, and
that the complaints of fraud & force were
gotten up merely to stimulate and excite
Northern emigration. AT the time of which
Ispesk, there was no one in Congress or
out of Congress, in Office, or out of Office,
who exerted himself more untiriDgly to
perpetuate that reign of terror Inaugural
ted to insure the admission of Kansas in
to the Union as Slave State. ! fear
there are many now bearing up the ban
ner inscribed with the name of this Sen.
ator, who never have fully understood or
who have forgotten, this tarnished page
in his history. If there has ever been
more determined foe to the growth
of freedom in Kansas, or to the prin-
ciples of the Nebraska. K ansas bill,
than Stephen A. Douglas, he has been a.
BILE to keep himself very much under
cover. 1t is gratifying. however, to make
a single remark in his favor; it is this,
that he seems as willing as the most ar
dent of his friends to divert attention
from this period in his career. | am not
aware that, in either essay or address, be
has ventured to recur to it; but on the
contrary he seems disposed to treat it as
a blank in his life.
While these proceedings were progress
ing in the Senate, the other branch of
Congress. carried resolutions of investiga-
ton under q close division OF parties, and
sent Select Committee to the Territory.
The consequence was such an exposure
as satisfied the country not only of the
truth of everything charged, but of ex-
listing conspiraoies beyond anything that
bad been imagined. The published evil
dence effectually revealed the intentions
of the South, and made a deep impression
upon the North. 1t was then established
that neither Law nor proprieties we're to
be allowed to stand in the way Of Slavery
extension; and we are almost driven to
the conclusion that the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Restriction was but part Of a gen.
eral and we'll matured plan of operations,
at the head of which stood the self.crown-
ed chief of popular Territorial Govern
ment. Mr.. Douglass term of Office was
now approaching its close. 1t is not un-
likely that a desire for reelection, and
a knowledge of the conviction forced up.
on his State BY the examination alluded
to, induced him to look with different
eyes upon Kansas, and create an anxiety
on his part to take up the cause of her
robbed aud wretched people. cannot
certainly say how this may have been; l
only state sudden and miraculous change
came over him, and for a while he SEEM
ed to glory in the name of "rebel." He
opposed the admission of Kansas under
the Lecompton Constitution with seeming
seriousness, and then announced his de-
termination to vote for the greater iniqui-
sy, the English BILL" 1t was then the
bonored and heroic Harris, who now
sleeps 10 death, shed tears of anguish.
and gave utterancc to bis despair. Over
this again the vail has been carefully and
closely drawn BY the guardians of Mr..
Douglass fame. His admirers have ac-
ted wisely, as it has prevented. doubtless,
many unpleasant surmises and sugges-
tioDs. To that boldest, and true.t. and