The Colorado statesman., 1920-02-07

United States territory, in any law
full way, against the wish of any
citizen of the United States, exclude slavery from
its limits prior to the formation of a state con-
stitution?
Answer.-It matters not what way the Supreme.
may hereafter decide to the abstract ques-
ton whether slavery may or may not go into
territory under the constitution, the people nave
the lawful means to introduce 1t or exclude 1t as
they please, for the reason that slavery cannot
exist day or an hour anywhere, unless it is
supported by local police regulations. Those po-
lice regulations only be established by the
local legislature; and if the people are opposed to
slavery, they will elect representatives to that
body who Will by unfriendly legislation effectually
prevent the introduction of 1t into their midst H.
on the contrary, they for it, their Legislation
will favor its extension. Hence no matter what
the decision of the Supreme court may be on that
abstract question: still the right of the people TO
make Slave Territory a Free Territory is per-
feet and complete under the Nebraska bill
These Lincoln Douglas debates-sometimes they
are called the 'Freeport Debates because of the
monentous results of the foregoing question ana
answer-are unique in history Never before
since have two citizens engaged in series OF
public discussions under such remarkable crcum-
stances. While the nominal issue was the election
of members of the Illinois state legislature, which
was to fill the United States senatorship. for which
the debaters were candidates the real issue
was tremendous in Importance that 1t was
destined within few years to plunge the country
into the greatest civil of all history. So Lin
coin did not exaggerate when at Quincy. with
the prophets vision, he spoke of ths seven debates
successive acts of a drama to be enacted not
merely in the face of audiences like this, but In
the face of the nation and to some extent OF the
face of the world"
To be sure the two men were old-time rivals.
They had competed in the courts for the hand of
the same maiden and for political favors Douglas
had become nationally famous; Lincoln was To-
cal celebrity. Douglas was the leader OF great
national party; Lincoln organizer of a new
and untried party Douglas was the aggressive
creator of the policy of popular sovereignty,
pretending to be Indifferent whether the people
voted slavery up voted it down." Lincoln was
the earnest defender of the proposition that "all
men are created free and equal" And this time
1t was a contest between them for the United
States senatorshp from Illinois
But Lincoln knew-whether or not Douglas
realized the situation-that the contest between
them involved 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 are, and
whittier we are tending we could better Judge
what to do now and how to do it. We are now far
nto the fifth year since policy was initiated
with the avowed object and confident promise of
putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the
operation of that policy, that agitation mas not
only not ceased but has constantly augmented
In NV opinion 1t will not cease until n 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. 1 do not expect the Union to be dis
solved. I do not expect the house to fall; but do
expect 1t will cease to be divided 1t Will become
all one thing, all the other Either the op-
ponerts of slavery will arrest the further spread
of IT. and place 1t where the public mind shall rest
I'm the belief that 1t is the course of ultimate ex
tinction or its advocates will push 1t forward till
,t shall become alike lawful in all the states old
as well as new north well as SOUTH
And Illinois knew that this was more 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 of cannon a city decked with
flags and an enormous crowd marked the occa-
sion Each of the debates attracted the same
great crowds. Neither party spared pains or ex-
pense Delegations marched in from every cross
roads within fifty miles. Many of these professions
were n mile long In the main parades were floats
herring young women representing the states of
the Union; among the Republican beauties was
usuolIy one I'm mourning-kansas-a over the
T,emocratic maidens foated n banner with the In
sc,,ption "Protect Us From Negro Husbands.
Finally they all assembled before the grand
sand. seats could be provided for comparatively