The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-07-26
Douglas and his Record.

Douglas and his Record.
More measures Of political economy arc
justly subject to the changes of the time.
and circumstances. Men change their opin
ions very frequently from honest convic
tons. This IS right and in accordance with
the progress Of truth, justice. civilization
and christianity. But there can be no change
IN the great fundamental principles of liberty
and freedom. They ere immutable and
eternal They belong to every human be.
ing. Human power has in ell ages OF the
world, deprived men Of their rights. but i,
has been merely the exercise Of po,eer, and
not OF justice. There can be no homes. DIFF
ference of opinion among intelligent,
chIlstion men on this subject We assume
that all men, uninfuenced by selfish or po-
htlcaI purposes are in favor Of the great
principles enunciated in the Declaration OF
Independence. and that every derivation
therefrom is fairly accounted for by corrupt
motives. We would not be unchar,abla.
but such appears to US to be true, emphat
ically true.
II IS our purpose now to trace out the
record OF Stephen A. Douglas, and leave
the reader TO form his own conclusions
whether the Douglas of to-day. is AS worthy
OF the support ofthe freedom loving people,
as was the Douglas Of other DAYS, before
aspirations for the presidency had worked
their corrup'ing influence upon his mind.
We propose TO show. in the first place,
that he was In favor Of maintaining freedom
in the territories by Congressional interyen-
ton against slavery. That Sauatter SOW
ereignty was mere stepping stone to
worse position. That his next step was
against all Congressional Intervention for or
against freedom. and his present position is
IN favor OF Intervention against freedom and
IN taror of Slavery.
While the joint resolution was pending
for the admission Of Texas into the Union. F.,
Mr.. Douglas offered the following amend
ment:
And in such State or States as nav he
formed ont of said Territory north of said Mis-
souri, Compromise line. slavery or involuntary
servitude Except for crime) shall be prchib-
tied"
This contains broad declaration in favor
Of projecting not only the territories, but
even the states to be formed out Of those
territories from the curse Of slavery. 1t
was no matter to him then. whether the
people Of the territory or of the State were
in favor of slavery or rot, he was opposed
to them having it.
When the bill for the admission of Ore.
gon was pending in the Senate. Mr.. Doug
las offered an amendment prohibiting slave
y therein. which was adopted. lie thus
Tor the second time endorsed by his vote
the great principle Of prohibition. /
In 1919. Mr.. Douglas addressed the PEG
pie Of Springfield, Illinois. in which he
used the following emphatic language:
The Missouri Compromise had an origin akin
10 that Of the Constitution of the United States
conceived In tie spirit Of trnternal affection ard
calculated to remove forever the dsu ger which
zee med TO threaten, of some distant day TO s,yer
me social bonds OF union. All evidence Of
pubic opinion OF that day seemed to Indicate
hat this Compromise had been canouized in the
hearts OF the American people as q sacred thing
which no RUTHLESS HAND would ever b.
echess enough 70 disturb
This sacred thing which had become
anonised in the hearts Of the people. vas
by Congress Of the extern
ion of Slavery. When this sacred princi-
10 was attacked by Mr.. Calhoun in 1850.
IT. Douglas came promptly TO its defence.
lie said sloquen.ly:
The next 10 the series of aggressions CON-
!a'ned OF by the Senator from Soush Carolina
the Missouri COMPROMISE The Missonr;
compromise is act of Northern :rjustice do
gned to deprive she South Of her due shs-s of
10 tssritories! Why, sir. 10 was only this yery
~ that the Senator from Mississippi despa,yei
any peaceable adj 1stment OF existin, di6cui,
es, because the Missouri Compromise ,;ue could
- be extended 70 the Pacific Tia. measure "a,
.igiaaiiy adopssd IN the bill for the admission
Missouri, BY union of Northern asi Sop,b
u votes. The South has always professed to
, willing te abide by is, and even TO coa,;nueit
J fair and honorable adjustment of . vered !
ID difhculS question. In lS45 il was adopted ;
the resolutions for tbs annexation of Texas bv :
'uthern As we'll as Northern votes, wishout III, =
ghtest complaint that it was uafair to ary seq a
"a oil the country. Ia 1876 il received the r
pRort OF every Southern member Of the House :
;. p.sssn.auves-wh' and Dsmocrat-with. {
y exception. IS an alternate measure IN H. !,
hmos rrov'so. And again in ls4s. a an ;.
'soomeus 70 the oregon Bill on NY NOTION Il l.
ce'ssd TIE vote, IL recolleet arirh-.,s T
nos think can poeiely be msssaksn-ofe
sonfhen Senator. Wing aud Democrat, even Il
. = scS senator from South Csrolin him. n
= mt. Calhoun And Jet We are now t.Id
- this 10 only second to the Ord,na.ce OF l.sT 81
the series Of aSgressions on the South. v