Douglas has sought to bring to his aid the opinions and examples of our
Revolutionary fathers. I am glad he has done this. I love the sentiments
of those old-time men, and shall be most happy to abide by their
opinions. He shows us that when it was in contemplation for the colonies
to break off from Great Britain, and set up a new government for
themselves, several of the States instructed their delegates to go for
the measure, provided each State should be allowed to regulate its
domestic concerns in its own way. I do not quote; but this in substance.
This was right; I see nothing objectionable in it. I also think it
probable that it had some reference to the existence of slavery among
them. I will not deny that it had. But had it any reference to the
carrying of slavery into new countries? That is the question, and we will
let the fathers themselves answer it.

This same generation of men, and mostly the same individuals of the
generation who declared this principle, who declared independence, who
fought the war of the Revolution through, who afterward made the
Constitution under which we still live--these same men passed the
Ordinance of '87, declaring that slavery should never go to the Northwest
Territory.

I have no doubt Judge Douglas thinks they were very inconsistent in this.
It is a question of discrimination between them and him. But there is not
an inch of ground left for his claiming that their opinions, their
example, their authority, are on his side in the controversy.

Again, is not Nebraska, while a Territory, a part of us? Do we not own
the country? And if we surrender the control of it, do we not surrender
the right of self-government? It is part of ourselves. If you say we
shall not control it, because it is only part, the same is true of every