Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-09-21
Maine on Squatter Sovereignty

Maine, until 1858, was Democratic
State. Up to that time she had always
been looked upon as safe for the Democ-
racy. In 1854, the Nebraska bill was
passed, the Missouri compromise repealed,
and Squatter Sovereignty made leading
dogma Of the Democratic party. Ste
phen A. Douglas, as is well known, was
the author of that movement. He insti-
tuted it TO establish himself in the conf
dence of the South. They did not ask
il. but he wanted to be President, and
felt that he must do something for the ex-
tension of slavery, to convince the South
of his fidelity to their interests.
10 removing the Missouri restriction,
he did indeed do something for slavery.
He opened to the bane and the curse of
that foul system, large tract of territory
which before that time had been dedicat-
ed by sacred compact to freedom.
The undertaking was so complicated
that he Immediately became involved in
difficulties As he pressed the measure,
he was forced by the bitter scorn of the
millions of the free North, to take shell
ter under the specious guise of Squatter
Sovereignty.
A close analysis Of the life of Douglas
will convince any one that he did not do
this from choics. He did it from neces-
sity. lie did It to cool the excitement
and quiet the clamors of Northern free
men, who saw in the repeal Of the Mis-
souri, compromise, blow aimed at free
dom, and the doors opened wide for
slavery extension.
This doctrine of Squatter Sovereignty
was always unpalatable to the South, and
Douglas knew it. He therefore desired
TO avoid it; but avoid it he could not, fol
it was the only plausible apology he could
offer 20 the North for the course he wa;
then pursuing; besides, he felt that the
South would find no fault at his talking
Squatter Sovereignty to the North, if a
the same time he was acting for slavery
propagandism at the South. In this h
was right. The South at that time made
no complaint and why should they
BY the repeal of the Missouri restriction
they had nothing to lose, but would b.
placed in a situation with chance c
gaining something. They then kept still
But they saw through the speeious pre-
tense Of the Little Giant, and while the
hated the dogma of Squatter Sovereign,
they despised Stephen A. Douglas as i
advocate. They despised him as di
corning, high-minded men, always de-
pise the craven spirit of a man who 20
tylteers to do their " dirty work" Viii
the South regarded him in this light, Il
free North looked upon him as trait'
trickster. They looked upon him as
dangerous man, and from that time for
they had no confidence in him; Meth
had they any confidence in his doctri
of Squatter Sovereignty. Many Mort
crn States which at that time belong
10 the Democratic household of fat
Immediately broke off their connect
Herewith, and commenced forming
rank and file of the Republican par
Among these States was Maine. Mai
took no stock in the Little Giants SOU
ter Sovereignty. She saw that it v
all sophistry, all humbug. Democra
speakers North talked it; the pr
Numbered it; the Little Giant thunder
II; but Maine showed her hand, a
turned straight about from a strong De
ocratic State, to a strong Republic
State. She could not stomach Squat
Sovereignty. And what is worthy
note, is, that she repudiated this mott
abandoned the Democratic party, {
came over to the Republican hosts IN
the gallant leadership of the br
Hamlin, the Republican candidate
the Vice Presidency.
Recently. Stephen, while in the 7
suit Of mis- mother, made trip to
Pine Tree State. He had given on
speeches in various places, that ."
Breckenridge not been nominated,
would have licked Lincoln in every S
but Vermont and Massachusetts"
knew that in Maine there was no Br,
enridge State ticket; that the issue ii
was between the united Democracy
the Republicans, and that the 10tl
September would be decisive of
question in Maine, and set him dc
either as a true prophet. or as an a
CANT braggart. Accordingly he wen