Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-06-19


to shape measures and lead in debate But
although surrounded by such extraordinary men
and apparently acknowledging their right to the
leadership, Senator Douglas acted neither an OBJ
scure nor secondary part. He received, and justly
too,a full share Of the credit of being one of those
who were instrumental procuring the pas
sage of the Compromise measures and also as
matter of course came in for liberal share of the
odium, which in certain quarters, was visited on
the heads of those who had supported those mea-
sures The fugitive slave law, one of the series,
was especially unpopular in Illinois, Mr.. Doug
las State, and on his return TO Chicago, he found
that mass meeting then actually being
held, for the purpose of denouncing him as re-
creant TO his State and the cause of humanity in
voting for that measure. He Immediately enter
ell the meeting, and in speech of extraordinary
eloquence and power, vindicated his course DUR
ing the session, particularly his vote in favor of
the fugitive slave law. The reaction produced
in the minds of those present by his speech, was
truly extraordinary. The storm of popular ex
citement and Indignation was at once hushed to
rest, and instead of derouncing him, resolutions
endorsing his course were unanimously adopted
by the meeting. AS triumph of eloquence and
reason over the passions and pretudices of the
multitude, this probably has but few parallels in
the history of the world.
About this time, Senator Douglas began TO
attract public attention in every portion of the
country, as prominent leader of the democracy
and candidate for the Presidency He had re-
| ceived respectable vote in the democratic Ma
tippol Of tho al
nomination, but it is not likely he expected to
be nominated on that occasion, or experienced
| anything like the emotions OF disappointment at
| the success of General Cass But he now deter
mined to make bold effort to secure the nomi-
nation from the Convention of 1852. and the
other prominent aspirauts-Buchanan and Cass
were soon compelled to recognize him as a trn-
" formidable rival. His friends, for the purpose
of arousing a storm of popular enthusiasm in his
| favor styled themselves the g Young America
| wing of the democracy, and put him forth as the
representative Of their progressive principles
while to his rivals, Buchanan and Cass, and their
adherents, they applied the by no means high
! sounding title of "Old Fogys." Several highly
| scurrous articles. abusive of - Fogys and Fogy
/ dom," appeared about this time in the ' Demo
| cratic Review" the recognized organ of the
| Young America democracy, which seriously in
| iured the cause they were intended 20 benefit.
| All this savored very much 9f cemagogCeism
| and Senator Douglas was in great measure held
responsible for it by his OpPonents-whether
Justly unjustiy it is not our province TO deter
mine. 1t is highly probable that he at leas;
sanctioned the movement, for certainly a word
| from him to his followers would have prevent
| ed it.
The result of the proceedings Of the democratic
| National Convention of 1852, is now a matter ot
/ history. After several days spent in unsuccess-
| ful ballotings for candidate for the Presidency
all the prominent aspirants were abandoned. and
| Gen. Franklin Pierce, ''a new man." nominated
Senator Douglas cheerfully ratified the action oi
| the Convention, and during the cam paign took
an active part in support of Pierce and King. it.
nominees. They were elected by an overwhelm-
| ing majority of the electoral and popular vote.
| On reviewing what we have written. we find
we have already considerably exceeded the space
usually allotted to an editorial article. Wcmr>t
therefore for the present close. We will. how
ever, resume the subject again, probably rc4t
week.