The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-03-20
Senator Douglas on the Inaugural.

ply to Mr.. Clingmsn, expressed his views
on the Inaugural. Among other things
he said:
"This brought him to the construction
of another clause the most important
OF all, and the key to she entire policy
But he was rejoiced when be read it. He
invited attention to it as showing conclu-
sively that the President is pledged to
policy which locks to peaceful solmtion
of our difficulties, and against all others
he says the course here indicated will be
followed, unless the current of events and
experience shall show modification or
charge to be proper; and in every ease of
exigency my best discretion will be exer-
eised, according to the circumstances usu-
ally existing, and With view and hope
of peaceful solution of the national
troubles and the restoration of fraternal
sympathies and affections. In other
words. the President says if the collec-
ton of the revenue will lead to peace
full solution, then it will be collected. If
the abandonment of that collection has
that effect, then it will be abandoned So
OF the forts and arsenals in the seeding
States. He will recapturs them or not
recapture them, aud will reinforce Forts
Sumter and Pickens-pledged in either
case to peaceful policy, and acting with
this view. II this is not the true con
struction, why was there not inserted
pledge to use coercion, retake the forts,
recapture the arsenas, collect the revenue
and enforce the laws, unless there was at.
tached to each one condition on which
the pledge was to be carried out9 But
the pledge is only to do it in order to
peaceful solution. and for no other cause.
He submitted whether or not the friends
of peace have not much to rejoice at
The inaugural was much more conserva.
tive than he had anticipated. 1t was
more pacific and conciliatory than he had
predicted. He repeated, after careful
examination and analysis. he was clearly
of the opinion that the Administration
stands pledged to peaceful ISOLATION, and
will do no act that will lead to war, and
make no change of policy unless necessa-
ry to preserve peace. He thought the
President had treated the cause Of the
troubles clearly. and indicated remedy
The President in a manner peculiar to
himself proceeds to show what did not
produce the troubles. Mr Douglas here
quoted from the inaugural, adding. that,
acsording to this, it was the attempt to
prohibit Slavery or protect Slavery in
the Territories in the absence of on ex
press Constitutional provision FOR either
purpose. If the President has truly sta,
ted the cause, what is the remedy1 1t
is to adopt Constitutional provisioquQn
the subject. The President speaks of
such amendments as 30 define the power
of Congress over the subject. He gives
US to understand there never can be peace
until the question is settled, and that it
cannot be settled except by an amond-
mant to the Constitution.
The President stands pledged to let
the people decide on the mode of amend.
meut He will not interfere; he will not
oppose it. If the people say that Con.
gress shall protect Slavery everywhere
the President is pledged not to oppose it;
and SO, if the people say Slavery shall
not be protected everywhere. If they
shall incorporate the Crittenden PROPOSE
tion, he will nos oppose it. He is in
favor of such amendments as will settle
the question forever by express provisions
of the Constitution, leaving the people to
decide what amendments shall be made
and will accept them cheerfully. Taking
this to be the meaning of the proposition
he (Douglas) found in it much cause for
encouragement.
In the first place, it was peaceful, no,
aggressive.
The President will de no act of ag,
gression, bat all his conduct will be with
view Of peaceful solution.
In the second place, as the difficulty is
owing to the absence Of an express pro-
vision on the Slavery question ir the Ter
ritories, he will advocate that the people
change that instrument BY express pro-
visions.
Whatever departure Mr.. Lincoln has
made from his party platform should be
taken as an act of patriotism. and not an
act of infdelity If he understood him.
Mr.. Lincoln had sunk the partisan in the
patriot, and was entitled for this to the
thanks Of all conservative men,, He did
not want it to be inferred that he sympa-
thized with the Administration, or in any
contingency that he and the President
would be associated. He expected 10
oppose his Administration on those great
principles which separated the parties in
former times; but on questions looking to
the preservation of the Union by peacea-
bic means, and the settlement of the sub
ject of Slavery by amendment to the Con.
stitution, if be understood the President's
meaning, he was with him. He believed
be had put proper construction on these
parts of the inaugural He believed the
President is going to live up to it. He
would not surrender this opinion until
there. should be reason to change it. The
Union cannot be preserved by war, cannot
ha maintained hv blond Tt can only he