It will be seen that the bill leaves the people perfectly free. [Groans and some cheers.] It is perfectly natural for those who have misrepresented and slandered me, to be unwilling to hear me. I am here in my own home. [Tremendous groans—a voice, that is in North Carolina—in Alabama, &c.,—go there and talk, &c.—]
I am in my own home, and have lived in Illinois long before you thought of the State. I know my rights, and, though personal violence has been threatened me, I am determined to maintain them. ["Much noise and confusion."] The principle of the Nebraska bill grants to the people of the territories the right to govern themselves. Who dares deny that right [a voice, It grants the right to take slavery there that's all]. What is the Missouri Compromise line? It was simply a line, recognizing slavery on one side of it and forbidding it on the other. Now would any of you permit the establishment of slavery on either side of any line? [No! No!!]
Mr. Douglas said he would show that all of his audience were in 1S4S in favor of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and he alone was opposed to it. [Three cheers were given for the Compromise.]
The compromise measures of 1850 were endorsed by our own city Council. They were also endorsed by our legislature almost unanimously. The resolution passed by our Legislature in 1851, approved of the principles of non-intervention—[it was published in the Press, with comments a few days since], in the most direct and strongest terms. All the Representatives except four whigs voted for the resolution.—Every representative from Cook county voted for them.
These were the instructions under which he acted. Till then he was the fast friend of the Compromise. [A voice—then why did you repeal it?] Simply because another principle had been adopted and I acted upon that principle.—[Some one asked that if he lived in Kansas whether he would vote for its being a free State.—But the Senator could not find it convenient to answer it, though repeated several times.]
The question now became more frequent and the people more noisy. Judge Douglas became excited, and said many things not very creditable to his position and character. The people as a consequence refused to hear him further, and although he kept the stand for a considerable time he was obliged at last to give way and
