The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-02-21

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tice, should they be placed in condtio
differing from what they were before? O
one hand one has gained great deal, and
a political point of view scarcely stands wher
he did before.
snow we are talking about where we ar
going to begin. We have got at the hat
| that exists between the two races. The quer
! comes up whether these two races, selected a
they were before, without preparation, withou
time for passion and excitement to appear, an
without time for the slightest improvement
whether the one should be turned loose upo
the other, and be thrown together at the ba
lot box, with this enmity and hate existing b
tween them. The query comes up, will W
not there commence war of races? think
understand this thing, and especially is this tn
case when you force it upon people withou
their consent.
"You have spoken about the Government
Where is the power derived from? We say
is derived from the people. Let us take it 81
and refer to the District of Columbia by wa,
of illustration. Suppose for instance, here il
this political community, which certainly, mus
have government, must haze law, and putin!
now upon the broadest basis you can put it
take into consideration the relation which tn,
white has heretofore borne to the colored race
is it proper to force upon the community, with
out their consent, the elective franchise, with
out regard to color, making it universal? Nov
where do you begin? Government must have
controlling power, must have a lodgment
For instance, suppose Congress shall pass
law authorizing an election to be held at whcl
all over 2l years of age, without regard t.
color, should be allowed to vote, and major
ity should decide at such election that th
al frar oh ho h.,
would YOU do about it! Who would settle it
Do you deny that the first great principle is tn.
right of the people to govern themselves? Viii
you resort to an arbitrary power and say ma
jority of the people shall receive a state o.
things they are opposed to?'
Mr.. Douslas-"That was said before the
war"
The Presidential am now talking about
principle, not about what somebody said.".
MIR. Downing-"Apply what you have said
Mr.. President, to South Carolina, for in
tance."
The Presilent-"Suppose you 90 to Soua
Carolina or Ohio, that does not change the
principle at all. The query to which | have
referred still comes up. The Governmaa,
commenced upon this principle, and has exis
isted upon it, and now you propose to ihcor
porate an element that did not exist before
in it. | say the query comes in undertaking
this thing, whether we have right to make q
change in regard to tie elective franchise, in
Ohio, for Observation-Disclosures we shall not lie,
the people in that State decide the matter fol
themselves. Each community is better pre-
pared to determine the depository of political
power than any body else; and it is for the
legislature, or the people of Ohio to say who
shall vote or not for the Congress of the Uni
ted States | might 60 down to the ballot box
to- morrow, and vote for universal suffrage, but
if a great majority of this people said NO,
should consider it would be tyrannical and ar
bitrary in me to attempt to force it upon them
without their will. 1t is fundamental point
in my creed that the will of the people must
be obeyed when fairly expressed. Is there
anything wrong or unfair in that?'
Mr. Douglas, smling-''A great dea1
wrong, Mr.. President, with all respect"
The Presdent-"The people must deter
mine that for themselves. | do hot want to
be engaged in work that will commence a
war OF races. In each community, if maH
demeans himself well, and shows that this new
state Of affairs will operate well, he will be
protected in all the rights, and given every pos.
sible advantage by that community When
they have been reconcled, socially and politi.
cally, to certain things, then will this new or
der of affairs work tremendously. but force up.
on the people before they are prepared for it,
1t will be resisted, and work inhavmonious!y.
feel conviction that forcing that matter up
on the people, upon the community, will result
IN the injury of both races, and the ruin of one
or the other. God knows have no desire but
for the good OF the whole human race.
would it were SO that all you advocate could
be done in the twinkiing of an eye; but it is not
in the nature of things, and do not pretend
to be wiser than Providence or stronger than
the laws Of nature.
"Let us row seek to discover the laws gov.
erning this question. There is great law
it,; let rs endeavor to find out what
hat law is, and conform our action to it, all
he details will then properly adjust themselves
md work well in the end God knows that
lnythins can do in the mighty process by
which the great end is to be reached, anything
can do to elevate the races, to soften and
meorate their condition, will do; and to be
BILE to 90 so is the sincere desire of my heart
am glad to have met you. and thank YOU for
he compliments you have pail me.
Mr.: DouglaS-"I have to return you our
hanks, Mr.. President, for so kindly granting
s this interview. We did not come here cx-
ecting to argue this question with your Excel
eney, but simply to state what were our views
nd wishes in the premises. Ii we were dis.
osed to argue the question, and you would
rant us permission, OF course we would en-
eavor to controyert some of the points you
ave assumed"
Mr.. Downng-"Mr. Douglas, take it that
he President, by his kind expressions and his
cry full treatment of the subject, must have
contemplated some reply to the views which he
las advanced and in which we certainly do not
oncur. and say this with due respect
The Presidential thought you expected me
o indicate to some extent what nv views
we're on the subject touched in your state.
nent
Mr. Downing-"We are very happy, indeed
Q have heard them.''
Mr.. Douglas--"lf the President will allow
ne. would like to say one or two words in
eply."
The Presidcnt-"All have done Is simply
o Indicate what my views are, as suppose
'ou expected me to favor your address -
hr. Douglas-"My own impression is that
he very thing your Excellency would avoid
n southern States can only be avoided by the
'ery measure that we propose, and | would
ate to my brother delegates, that because
lerceve the President has taken strong
grounds in favor of given policy, and dis.
ruSting my own ability to remove any of these
Impressions which he has expressed, thought
We had better end the interview with the OK
ression of thanks Undressing the President
nd it your Excellency will be pleased to hear,
would like to say a word or two in regard to
hat one matter of entranchisement of the
LACKS as means OF preventing everything
which your Excel!ency seems to apprehend, |
hat is, conflict Of races"
The President--"I repeat merely want to
ndicate my views in reply to your add,ess and
0t to enter into any general controversy and |
could not well do SO under the circumstances. !
our statement was very frank one, and |
iousht it was due to you to meet it in the |
anne spirit"
Mr.. Douglas-"Thank you, sir"
The President-"I think you will find, 50 far
) the South is concerned, that it will"
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