that such a decision of the Supreme Court would or might be made, the
voting down of that amendment would be perfectly rational and
intelligible. It would keep Congress from coming in collision with the
decision when it was made. Anybody can conceive that if there was an
intention or expectation that such a decision was to follow, it would not
be a very desirable party attitude to get into for the Supreme Court--all
or nearly all its members belonging to the same party--to decide one way,
when the party in Congress had decided the other way. Hence it would be
very rational for men expecting such a decision to keep the niche in that
law clear for it. After pointing this out, I tell Judge Douglas that it
looks to me as though here was the reason why Chase's amendment was voted
down. I tell him that, as he did it, and knows why he did it, if it was
done for a reason different from this, he knows what that reason was and
can tell us what it was. I tell him, also, it will be vastly more
satisfactory to the country for him to give some other plausible,
intelligible reason why it was voted down than to stand upon his dignity
and call people liars. Well, on Saturday he did make his answer; and what
do you think it was? He says if I had only taken upon myself to tell the
whole truth about that amendment of Chase's, no explanation would have
been necessary on his part or words to that effect. Now, I say here that
I am quite unconscious of having suppressed anything material to the
case, and I am very frank to admit if there is any sound reason other
than that which appeared to me material, it is quite fair for him to
present it. What reason does he propose? That when Chase came forward
with his amendment expressly authorizing the people to exclude slavery
from the limits of every Territory, General Cass proposed to Chase, if he
(Chase) would add to his amendment that the people should have the power
to introduce or exclude, they would let it go. This is substantially all
of his reply. And because Chase would not do that, they voted his
amendment down. Well, it turns out, I believe, upon examination, that