The Elbert County tribune., 1920-02-06


United States territory. in my law
full way against the wish of any
citizen OF the United Stntes. exclude slavery from
Its limits prior TO the formation of a state con
stitution?
Auswer-It matters not what way the Supreme
court may hereafter decide 10 the abstract ques-
ton whether slavery may may go into
territory under the constitution, the people have
tile lawful means 10 introduce IL or exclude Ii ns
they please for the reason that slavery cannot
exist day hour anywhere unless 1t is
supported by local police regulations. Those po-
lice regulations cnn only be established by the
local legislature; and II the people are opposed TO
slavery they viii elect representatives to that
body who will by unfrien,y legislation efrectunlly
prevent the Introduction of 1t Into their midst If,
on the contrary they are for 1t. their legislation
will fhyor its extension. Hence. matter what
the decision of the Supreme court may be on that
abstract question: still the right of the people TO
make Slave Territory Free Territory is per
feet and complete under the Nebraska bill.
These Lincoln-Douglas debates-sometimes they
called the "Freeport Debates" because of the
momentous results of the foregoing question and
answer-are unique In our history. Never before
since have two citizens engaged In d series of
public discussions under such remarkable circum-
snnces While the nominal issue the election
members of the Illinois state legislature. which
wae TO ill the United States senatorship. for which
the two debaters candidates. the real issue
tremendous In importance that II was
destined within few years to plunge the country
into the greatest civil war of all history. SO Lin
coin did not exnggerate when at Quincy, with
tie prophets vision. he spoke of the seven debates
Successive acts of drama to be enacted not
merely In the face of audiences like this. but in
the face of the nation and to extent of the
fnce OF the world
To he sure. the od-tme rivals.
They had competed in the courts, for the hand of
the same alden and for political favors. Douglas
Ind become nationally famous Lincoln To-
cal celebrity. Douglas the leader of great
national party; Lincoln organizer of
and untred party Douglas was the aggressive
creator of the policy of popular sovereignty"
pretending to be Indifferent whether the people
voted slavery up voted 1t down. Lincoln
the earnest defender of the proposition that "all
men created free and equal" And this time
1t contest between them for the United
States senatorship from Illinois
But Lincoln knew--whether or not Douglas
realized the situation-that the contest between
them involved more than election to the senate
This is made clear in his speech of acceptance
of the nomination made by the Republican state
convention the preceding June. Here are his i'm
mortal words which sounded the keynote of the
whole mOmentous issue which confronting
the nation:
"If we could first know where we are. and
whittier tending. could better judge
what to do now. and how to do it.. We are now far
into the fifth year since policy Initiated
with the avowed object and confident promise of
putting end to slavery agitation. Under the
operation of that policy. that agitation has not
only not ceased. but has constantly augmented
In my opinion. 1t will not until crisis shall
have been reached and passed. "A house divided
against Itself cannot stand believe this govern
ment can not endure permanently half slave and
half free. / do not expect the Union to be dis
solved: do not expect the house to fall but do
expect 1t will to be divided. 1t will become
ali thing. all the other. Either the op-
poner.s of slavery Will arrest the further spread
of 1t, and place 1t where the public mind shall rest
IN the belief that 1t is the course of ultimate
tinction or It's advocates will push 1t forward till
1t shall become alike lawful in all the states. old
as well as new. north as well south"
And Illinois knew that this than a
personal and local contest between two political
rivals Ottawa aided by the rest of the state
started off the debates in blaze of glory. Rival
professions. the roar of cannon. city deckcd with
flags and crowd marked the occa-
sion. Each of the debates attracted the same
great crowds Neither party spared pains ex-
pense Delegations marched in from every cross
roads within fifty miles. Many of these professions
were a mile long. In the main parades floats
bearing young women representing the states of
the Union; among the Republican beauties was
usually one in mourning-kansas-an the
Democratic maidens hoated banner with the In
~crfptloh. protect us From Negro Husbands"
q Finally they all assembled before the grand
stand; seats could be provided for comparatively