the life of stephen a. douglas-第14章
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olitical expediency was not their ultimate test of right。
Lincoln； though yet comparatively obscure； was destined soon to become the leader of this new school of ethical statesmen； as distinguished from the old school of political temporizers and opportunists to which Douglas belonged。 Lincoln； as Douglas well knew； was a man of finer intellectual gifts than any of the great senatorial triumvirate whom he had successfully met。 His moral feelings were tuned to as high a key as Sumner's。 He had a firmer grasp of the central truths of the new politico…moral creed than Chase。 He had more tact and sagacity than Seward。 He had more patience with temporary error； more serene faith in the health and sanity of human nature than any of the three。 He was a greater master of the art of popular oratory than any of them。 Above all he had the power； dangerous to Douglas； of seizing the most ingenious and artfully concealed sophism and good naturedly dragging it to the light。 Endowed with the most exuberant flow of genial humor； he was yet sternly earnest in his belief in the inviolable sanctity of moral right。 During his recent years he had read much and thought deeply。 He had mastered a style rarely equaled in clearness； simplicity and power。 Without the prejudices and entanglements of a past political career； he entered the arena in the ripeness of his slow…maturing powers。 Not only his temperament and intellect but his experience and training admirably fitted him for the high task which he was destined to perform。
When Douglas opened his speech at the State House； he unconsciously lent new importance to Lincoln by announcing that he understood that he was to answer him； and requesting him to come forward and arrange terms for the debate。 But Lincoln was not present and he plunged into his argument； defending the Kansas…Nebraska bill； his own course and that of his party。 Lincoln spoke the next day and among his most eager listeners was Douglas； who occupied a seat in front and was generously invited to reply。 The speech； four hours long； was an agreeable surprise to Lincoln's friends； a startling revelation to Douglas and an astonishing event to the crowd； who recognized in the awkward country lawyer a dangerous antagonist for the great Senator； the incomparable master of the art of political debate。 He realized that this obscure adversary had clutched him with a power never felt in his great struggles with the giants of the Senate。 He indicated his sense of the importance of the contest by devoting two hours to a reply。 The chief interest of this meeting now is in the new prominence which it gave to Lincoln。 The long duel lasted intermittently through four years； and finally gave Lincoln such fame that he was chose over Seward and Chase to lead the anti…slavery forces which they had roused from lethargy and organized into unity。
The Illinois campaign continued with great spirit and Douglas had the mortification of seeing what he regarded as a wave of fanaticism engulf the State。 The anti…Nebraska fusion carried the legislature； defeated Shields and； after a brief contest between Trumball； the anti…Nebraska Democrat； and Lincoln； the anti…slavery Whig； elected the former Senator。
Chapter VIII。 Decline of Popular Sovereignty。
Congress had confessed its incompetency to deal with the Kansas problem and referred it to the decision of rude squatters on the frontier。 They dealt with this grave congressional question in characteristic fashion。 An Emigrant Aid Society； organized in Massachusetts； was among the means adopted by the North to colonize the Territory and mold its institutions。 The adventurous frontiersmen of western Missouri were chiefly relied on by the South to shape the new State。 The Emigrant Society founded the town of Lawrence and established there a formidable anti…slavery colony。 The Missouri squatters organized a 〃Self…Defensive Association〃 and attempted to drive out the Northern settlers。 Elections were held by the colonists from the North and their Missouri neighbors in which the Missourians outnumbered their rivals and captured the territorial government。 The Northern colonists organized a State and attempted to run it。 Irregular warfare was maintained between the Lawrence squatters and the invading Missourians to determine which faction was entitled to exercise the sovereignty delegated by Congress。
The House passed a bill to admit Kansas with the Constitution adopted at Topeka by the Northern settlers in their abortive effort to organize a State。 It failed in the Senate and a few days later the Federal troops dispersed the usurping State legislature。 The Governor seeing that all civil authority was ended； negotiate a truce between the warring factions； resigned and hastened away from the scene of the disastrous experiment of Squatter Sovereignty。
The meeting of Congress on December 3rd； 1855； marked another stage in the great struggle。 So completely were the parties disorganized that it was found impossible to classify this Congress。 From December 3rd to February 2nd the House was unable even to organize itself。 On December 31st the President sent in his message。 He disposed of the overshadowing problem in a few brief words and devoted the message to ephemeral matters long since as completely forgotten as himself。 Although civil war had been raging in Kansas for many months and the carnival of crime was still in progress on that frontier； he gravely assured Congress that it was a matter of congratulation that the Republic was tranquilly advancing in a career of prosperity and peace。 He told them that the people of the Territory were clothed with the power of self…government and that he had not felt justified in interfering with their exercise of that right。 But on January 24th he sent another message announcing in general terms the disappointment of his hopes and recommending an enabling act for the admission of Kansas as a State。
The Senate consisted of thirty…four Democrats； twelve Whigs and thirteen Republicans。 Douglas was the recognized leader of the majority； without whose presence they were unwilling to take any decisive action。 But he was detained by sickness and did not take his seat until February 11th。
On the 12th of March he presented to the Senate a most elaborate report from his Committee； together with a bill to authorize the people of Kansas to organize a State whenever they should number 93；420。
It is impossible to read this report； which was prepared by himself； without admiring his subtle art and consummate skill。 He argued away the power of Congress to impose restrictions on new States applying for their admission； other than that the Constitution be republican in form； and insisted that the people of the Territories must be left perfectly free to form their own institutions and were entitled to admission as matter of right。 He traced the trouble to the pernicious activity of the Emigrant Aid Company； which had attempted to force New England institutions and customs upon the Territory。 He accused this Company of systematic colonization and drew a moving picture of the march of these political colonists across Missouri； pouring out their denunciations of slavery； exhibiting their hostility to the institutions of that State； until at last the people in alarm resolved on defense。 He admitted that there might be some cause for regret over the occasional errors and excesses of the Missourians； but it must not be forgotten that they were defending their internal prosperity and domestic security against the invasion of New England fanatics； who were bringing in their grain 〃the horrors of servile insurrection and intestine war。〃
The attempt to organize a State government at Topeka he condemned as a seditious movement； designed to overthrow the territorial government and the authority of the United States。 He justified the law referring the question of slavery to the inhabitants； and traced its failure to the intemperate passions of those who had precipitated this mad contest for mastery。
Collamer of Vermont presented the minority report； condemning the violence of the friends of slavery； deploring the fearful results of the
