Year: 1860

On Saturday night last Judge Douglas was sere-
naded at his residence in Washington and spoke
briefly in acknowledgment Of the honor thus done
deeply he impressed with the responsibilities of
his position and his trust that Providence would
impart to him the strength and wisdom to comply
with all its requirements, be said: % -


"Our beloved country is threatened with fear
full sectional antagonism which places the Union it.
self in imminent peril This antagonism is produc-
ed by the effort in one section of the Union to use
the federal government for the purposes of restrict
ing and abolshing slavery, and corresponding ef
for: in the other section for the purpose of extend
ing slavery into those regions where the people do
not want it. [Cries Of that's true."l


The ultra men in each section demand congre;-
sional Intervention upon the subject of slavery in
the Territories They agree in respect to the power
and duty of the federal government to control the
question: and differ only to the mode of exercs-
ing the power The one demands the intervention
of the federal government for slavery and the other
against it. Each appeals to the passions and pre-
judices of his own section against the peace and
harmony of the whole country. [Cries Of "Thats
sc" and applause


On the other hand, the position of all conserva-
tive and Union loving men is, or at least ought to
be- that Of non-ntervention by Congress with slave
ry in the Territoritories. Cries of "Thats the
true doctrine" and applause.


After referring to the ground occupied by the
party in 1s48, 1852, and 1856, he said:
GAS the chosen representative of that great par
ty, it is my fixed purpose to keep the faith and
deem that pledge at all hazards and under all Cir
cumstances. Three cheers for Douglas. The safe
| ty of the Union depends upon strict adherence
to the doctrine Of non-intervention. Intervention
means disunion. Intervention, whether by the
North or by the South-whether for or against
slavery tends directly to disunion Upon this iden-
tical question an attempt is now being made to d.
vide and destroy the Democratic party, because the
minority of the nterventionists could not intimi-
date the majority into an abandonment of the doc
trine of non-intervention. They have seeded from
the organization of tile Democratic party, and are
endeavoring to form new party in hostility to it.
| [Cries of "let them 60, we can whip the disunion-
lists North and South


| Secession is disuni0n. Secession from the Demo-
cratic party secession from the federal Union.
[''That's so" and applause. Those who enlist ur-
der the secession banner now will be expected on
the 4th of March next to take up arms against the
constituted authorities in certain contingencies.


We have been told that in certain event the
South must forcibly resist the inauguration of the
President elect while we find those who are loud.
est in their threats of such resistance engaged in
the scheme to divide and destroy the Democratic
party and thereby secure the election Of the Re-
publican candidate. Does not this line of policy
look to disunion? Cries of "Yes but it cannot
be effected" etc.


Intelligent men must be presumed to understand
the tendency and consequences of their actions
Can the seceders fail to perceive that their efforts te
divide and defeat the Democratic party, if success
full must lead directly to the secession of the South
ern States? I trust that they win see what mus
be the result of such policy, and return to the
ganizaon and platform of the party before it is toe
late to save the country. [Applause.]


The Union must be preserved [Cbeers.] The
constitution must be maintained inviolate, [reneweG
cheers, and it is our mission, under divine Provi
dence, believe, to the Constitution and tn,
Union from the assaults of Northern ablitionist
and Southern disunionists. Enthusiastic applaus,
and three cheers for Douglas ~