The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-01-09
nEHARrs OF SENATOR DOUGLAS.

!
REMARKs OF SENATOR DOUGLAS.
WAsEIEsroE, Dec. 23, 1850.
In the free interchange Of opinions which
took place at the meeting Of the Senlts
COmMittee Of Thirteen, on Thursday last, Il
Is understood that Senator Douglas express.
ed the opinion that no adjustment would re-
store and preserve perpetual pescs and hsr-
mony on the slavery question which did net
bsnish it forever from the halls Of Congress
and the arena OF Federal politics, and pre-.
hibit Congress from Isglslsting upon the
subject in any case whatevsr, except to per-
fern the constitutional obligation 10 respect
to fugitive slaves. While he regarded this
principle Of non interference by Congress as
the Essential basis of any adjustment which
might'be nude, there were varieus means
| by which the end could be accomplished.
One, and in his opinion the best, was 10
leave the people of the organized Territories
free to decide the question for themselves,
subject to the limitations Of the Constitution,
and the courts to decide upon the validity
and constitutionslity Of the territorial laws,
without any interference by Congress.
Another was an equitable partition be.
tween the two sections Of all the territory
we now own or may acquire, as was provid-
ed in the Missouri Compromise and now pro.
posed by the Senator from Kentucky.
A third was to provide that the status oil
slavery and personal freedom as it existed
when the territory was acquired should not
bc changed, either by Congress or by the
Territorial Legislature, and that the courts
should determine all questions Involving IT,
tie 10 slave property and personal freedom
Has was provided by the Clayton Compromise
bill and supported by Mr.. Calhoun in l848
Perhaps there might be other modes by
which the same object could be accomplish
ed. The chief of each OF these propositions
which Mr.. Douglas said he had supported in
turn, and abandoned only when it was found
impossible 10 pass it, was TO expel the sla
very question and its agitation from the halls
Of Congress, and place it beyond the reach
of Federal legislation. He was ready now
to unite n recommending to the people oI
the several States such amendments to the
Constitution as would take the slavery ques
ton out of Congress, and would insure do
mestic tranquility to the people of all the
States, and fulfill every obligation of the
Constitution OF the United States. In view
with disunion, revolution, and civil war star
ing us 10 the face, he was prepared to SC
upon the mattsrs in controversy, withou
any regard t. previous action, and as if ht
had never made speech, or given vote
upon the subject. H. was unwilling to be-
lieve that Senators, North or South, were
going to sacrifice their country in order tt
preserve their political consistency, or t.
mantain party organic, 10 the differ
ent sections of divided Union. The fran
ers of the Constitution had yielded their ia
vorite theories and convictions on msnJ
points in order to produce harmony, and in
sure general concurrence in tho adoption
of the Constitution. These concessions, il
| the opinion of wise men. have always beer
regarded as evidence of their patriotism, snt
not OF weakness. If we can meet ths pre-
sent issues, and perform the duties imposed
upon us, in the spirit which amin sted them
and, indeed, follow their example, we cat
yet save the Union without war or blood
shed. II did not believe that in the receA
elections the people, either of the North o.
South, had decided irreyocabiy that the,
preferred disunion 10 yielding ons iota OF tht
extreme demands in their partisan platforms
On the contrary, he did believe that II two
thirds of e,ch House Of Congress woulc
agree upon constitutional amendments in 8
spirit of mutual concession and compromise
and recommend them to the people OF 'ht
several States, such amendments would bt
ratified by three tourths OF the States. in or
der to take the slavery question out OF Con
g'ess, and preserve the Union, and main,ail
psrPetual peace and good will between 81
its member. 1t did not require sny State
or section to surrender any right which il
possessed, nor to assume any obligation
which the Constitution does not now i'm
poss bat in asprit Of conciIiation and fra
teruity to settle amicaby and justly the mat
ters in dispute by an irrevocaole conslitu
tional amendment. Il was not his purpose
at this time, to commit himself for or AgaDs
any proposition which had bsen offersd Of
suggested, but to decarc his anxious desire
for fair, just and amicabie adjustment o
all the matters in controversy, so as to re
move any cause of complaint or irritstion.