The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-08


ing, moral or political, but only positive law
It is SO odious that nothing can be suffered
to support 1t but positive law" revealed
the moral sense and enlightened Judgment Of
the world. 1t rang through all the colonies
of Great Britain, and found sententious ex-
preston in the words Of the Declaration OF
Independence that "al men are created
equal. with certain naliepable rights. among
which are life. liberty end the pursuit Of
happiness The compromises OF 1920 of
1850 and of Douglas, were recognitions by
positive law OF an Institution SO odious that It
was condemned by every peral and political
principle With each compromise II gained
strength and power 1mtirdt was nearly pre-
pared for a life and death struggle with Lib
The slave power, entrenched In the White
house and senate, the house of representatives
and the courts controlling the machinery of
the Democratic and largely Of the Wing
tanned in the elections felt confident that
extreme measures for securing Kansas could
De safely pushed. With the whole strength Of
the administration behind the conspirators.
the Lecompton constitution fastening slay-
cry on the new state. was fraudulently adopt
ed against the protest clearly and emphat-
ana sent to congress for approval. Douglas.
alone, of all Democratic leaders. felt the
force OF the rising tide OF popular indigna-
ton and awakening conscience.
While Douglas had satisfied the North with
the doctrine that the verdict of the people
upon their state government should prevail
ne had appeased the South with the under
standing that the whole question was sub
ject to the decision of the courts The nro-
slavery leaders who never took a step in the
dark knew that decision in an unnoticed
case before the supreme court would be in
their favor Douglas i.was hailed by the
Northern wing OF the party as its savior. and
rode triumphantly as the Little Giant" upon
the wave OF popular approval, when the bred
Scott decision demolished his beautiful fabric
OF squatter sovereignty and less resource
ful or weaker man would have been buried in
its ruins.
Such were the political conditions when
Douglas entered the lists for reelection to the
senate from Illinois. President Buchanan and
his administration and all the influence of
the Southern leaders were arrayed against
him. But the Democracy Of Illinois Loyalty
supported him, and John ]. Crittenden the
leader of the Southern Wings, with Horace
Greeley, the leader Of the anti-slavery forces
OF the North, and many other men of COM
handing influence. favored his election on
the ground that it would hopelessly divide
the Democratic party and force Douglas to
go with the anti-slavery party. The contest
became a national issue of the first i'm
portance and an overwhelming victory and
triumphal re-entry into the senate seemed
sure for Douglas. One man blocked the way,
and with such tremendous force and superb
ability that his effort consolidated the free
sentiment Of the country, abolished slavery
and saved the Union. That man was Abra-
ham Lincoln.
There was a superstitfous reverence for
the constitution and dread of the dissolution
der to slavery. Four thousand millions of
dollars invested in human beings in the
South, and a large portion of the capital of
the North engaged in business connected
with the slaye-holding states, so blinded
honest, intelligent and well meaning people
that to them God and mammon were one.
No more important council ever gathered
than the conclave Of friends summoned to
Springfield by Lincoln that he might read to
them his opening speech. The keynote OF 1t
was the famous declaration, "a house d-
wiz I'D I
this government cannot endure permanently
half slave and half free.
81 do not expect the Union to be dissolved
Il do not expect the house to fall-but l do
expect it will cease to be divided. 1t will
become all one thing or all the other. Either
the opponents Of slavery will arrest the fur
Their spread Of 1t, and place 1t where the
public mind shall rest in the belief that it
is in due course of ultimate extinction; or
its advocates will push 1t forward until it
shall become alike lawful in all the states
South The shrewd politicians about him
unanimously opposed his making this state
ment They said Douglas would seize upon
and use 1t to arouse the Union sentiment
In his favor, and brighten the timd from
Lincoln by claiming 1T to threaten disso-
luton of the Union.
Lincoln's answer was the first revelation to
his advisers and the country of that basic
moral element in his nature which ultimately
found it's fullest expression in the proclama-
ton of emancipation. He said II would
rather be defeated with these expressions in
my speech held UP and discussed before the
people than be victorious without them"
Regardless OF PERSONAL consequences or the
danger signals Of the hour, he lost the senat-
orship and gained the presidency by illustrat-
ing In both speech and action his abiding
faith that God reigns. He intensely believed
that false teachings, inherited prejudices,
party loyalty, and material interests might
enerust the national conscience but that this
could be broken by the sledge hammer of
truth.
AS the great debate proceeded the whole
country became the audience The discussion
was raplaly mouiulns PUBIC OPINION, pro
motlng patrlotlsm ana olssoiVlng parues. me
people were eager stuoents . IN a natlonai UNI
verSity with the two most eminent teachers
OF thelr Ilne preparing them LOT the iinpeno-
ing crisis; Llncoins view grew broader ana
higner. he summoned MS rrlenos ana al
mirers. he suDmlttea 10 them Wnetnef ne
should ask and compel Douglas to answer the
question whether. notwithstandlng the Dred
Scott decision had declared mat slavery was
tawIui IN the terrlsorles unuer tne constltu-
ton, the people OF a territory could in any
lawful way exclude slavery from It's limits
prior to the formation OF state constitu-
ton?' This markedly presented the deadly
and the popular sovereignty OF Douglas.
Lincoln's friends unanimously advised against
it. They knew his answer would be that the
decision of the supreme tcourt could not en-
force itself, and therefore, regardless of it,
the people Of the territories by unfriendiy
legislation and police regulations, could ex-
clude slavery. Theys said this would satisfy
Illinois. and re-elect Douglas senator. Lin
coins answer was again lofty and memoir
able 81 am after loftief game. II Douglas
so answers he can never be president, and
Douglas answered as anticipated.
The answer defeated eLincoln and made
Douglas senator but It split the Democratic
narty two wears laters and drove 1t from DOW
er. It defeated Douglas for the presidency
and carried lincoln ir,tosthe White house
Upon this platform and on this very spot