Daily national Democrat., 1861-05-18
naIlp slatlOnal Democrat.
.SspEECI OF 5. A. DOUGLAS
,..ore the Illinois Legislature, A prii 25th

pe,ro.entatives, Senator Douglas, accom-
I'D nv several friends, entered at quar-.
70 eight. Speaker Collum then intro
snoed him to the Legislature. His appear
1noo was greeted with universal applause.
Douglas then said;
Mr. Speaker, and gentlemen of the Senate
i uouse of Representatives: | am net in
ans;hle to the patriotic motives which have
eena,,ted YOU to do me the honor to invite
P'o td address you on this occasion upon the
,lompntous lno issues now presented in the con-
iI1il i,t;nn Of our country. With heart filled
u.''T l.;,I sadness and grief L comply with your
'e9 por the first time since the adoption OF
To1aral Constitution, a wide spread con-
.ho ;nnov exists to destroy the best government
ei'n" ,'n of Heaven ever shed its rays upon.
fTnanIause.7 fne Hostile armies are now march
nfpop 81 fpnop the Federal Capitol, with view
~ .n7 7,lapting revolutionary flag on its dome !;
.ei1ing the na4ional archives; taking captive
,be President elected by the votes of the
reople, il the hands of secessionists and dis
nnionists. A war of aggression and eXter-
mination is being waged against the govern
mept established by our fathers. The boast
has gone forth by the Secretary OF War OF
this revolutionary Government that on the
first day of May the revolutio nary flag shall
float from the walls of the Capitol at Wash
inpton. and that on the Fourth day of July
the revolutionary army shall hold possession
of the Hall of independence at Philadel.
rhia.
whether we will wait for the enemy to carry
ont his boast of making war upon our soil,
.lo, ,ro will rucL ona man to fha
defense of the Government and its Capitol
,o defend it from the hands of all assaiants
who have threatened to destroy it. Great
enthusiasm Already the pratcal flag has
been unfured against the commerce of the
United States Letters of marque have been
issued, appealing to the pirates of the world
TO assemble under that revolutionary flag
and commit depredations on the commerce
carried on under the Stars and Stripes. The
navigation of our great river into the Gulf
of Mexico is obstructed. Hostile batteries
have been planted on its banks; Custom
Houses have already been established ; and
we are required now to pay tribute and
taxes without having voice in making the
laws imposing item, or having share in the
distribution of them after they have been
collected. The question is whether this war
Of aggression shall proceed and we remain
with folded arms inattentive spectators or
whether we shall meet the aggressnrs at the
threshhold and turn back the tide.
So long as there was a hope for peaceful
solution prayed and implored for compro-
mise. | can appeal to my countrymen with
confidence that | have spared no effort,
omitted no opportunity TO adopt peaceful
solution of all these troubles, and thus res
tore peace, happiness and fraternity to this
country. When all propositions for peace
fail there is but one course feft for the pa
triot, and that is to rally under that flag
which has waved over the Capitol since the
days of Washington, and around the Gov
eminent established by Washington, Jeffer
son, Hamilton, and their eompeers. Great
cheering
What is the alleged cause for this invasion
Of the rights and authority Of the Govern
ment Of the United States? The cause al
l,ced is that the institutions of the southern
States are not safe under the Federal Gov
crnment. What evidence has been presented
that they are insecure2 | appeal to every
man within the sound of my voice to tell me
at what period from the time Washington
was iaauguratel. down to this hour, have
tie rights Of the Southern Statcs-the rights
Of the slayeholders-becn more secure than
they are at the present time? When, in the
whole history of this country, have they
stood on SO firm a basis? For the first time
in the history of this republic there is no
restriction 10y act of Congress upon the in
sitution Of slavery anywhere within the
limits of the United States. Then it cannot
be the territorial question that has given
them a cause. When was the Fugitive Slave
Law executed with more fidelity than since
the Inauguration of the present incumbent
Of the Presidential office Much applause.
Let the people of Chicago speak and tell Us
when were the laws Of the land executed
with as much tirmness and fidelity, so far as
the fugitive slaves are concerned, as they are
now. Can any man tell me of any one act
Of aggression that has been committed or
attempted since the last Presidential election,
that justiies this disruption of the Federal
Union?
Iosk you to reflect, and then point out any
one act that has been done; any one duty
that has been omitted to be done Of which
any one of these disunionists can Justly COM
plain. Yet we are told simply because one
party has succeeded in Presidential election,
therefore they choose to consider that their
liberties are not safe, and therefore they will
break up the Government.
had supposed that it was cardinal and
fundamental principle of our system of gov
ernment that the decision of the people at
the ballot box, without fraud, according to
the forms of the Constitution, was to COM
mand the implicit obedience of every good
citizen. Loud applause If their defeat at
Presidential election is TO justify the mi
nority, or any portion Of the minority, in
raising the traitorous hand of rebellion
against the constituted authorities, you will
gnd the future history of the United States
written in the history of Mexico, Accord
ing to my reading of Mexican history there
has never been one Presidential term from
the time of the Revolution in 1920 down to
this date. when candidate elected by the
people ever served his four years In every
instance, either the defeated candte has sci
zel upon the Presidential chair 10y the use of
the bayonet, or he has turned ont the duly
elected candidate before his term expired.
Are We to inaugurate this Mexican system in
the United States Of America Nol Never
suppose the case to be reversed. Suppose the
dlsuni0n candidate had been elected by any
means IN accordance with the forms of the
Nonstltution-at the last Presidential elec
uon' Then, suppose the Republicans had
raised a rebellion against his authority. In
mat case you would have found me tender
ing my best efforts and energies to John G,
D%eGNlnrdge to put down the Republican
rebels. Tremendous applause.] And, if
you had attempted such rebellion, | would
ng l'sVG H called forth all the power and energies
gpc pC 'his country to have crushed you out.
LContinued cheering
o, Inc first duty Of an American citizen, or
VI , eluzen of any constitutional Govern
,ISn!' Is obedience to the constitutional laws
nrnhons? ms country. [Applause.1 l have no APP
ibo ibo'fns,on Tn that any man in Illinois or beyond
A'Ill5 OF our own beloved State. will