when this government was established, no one expected the institution of
slavery to last until this day, and that the men who formed this
government were wiser and better than the men of these days; but the men
of these days had experience which the fathers had not, and that
experience had taught them the invention of the cotton-gin, and this had
made the perpetuation of the institution of slavery a necessity in this
country. Judge Douglas could not let it stand upon the basis which our
fathers placed it, but removed it, and put it upon the cotton-gin basis.
It is a question, therefore, for him and his friends to answer, why they
could not let it remain where the fathers of the government originally
placed it. I hope nobody has understood me as trying to sustain the
doctrine that we have a right to quarrel with Kentucky, or Virginia, or
any of the slave States, about the institution of slavery,--thus giving
the Judge an opportunity to be eloquent and valiant against us in
fighting for their rights. I expressly declared in my opening speech that
I had neither the inclination to exercise, nor the belief in the
existence of, the right to interfere with the States of Kentucky or
Virginia in doing as they pleased with slavery Or any other existing
institution. Then what becomes of all his eloquence in behalf of the
rights of States, which are assailed by no living man?

But I have to hurry on, for I have but a half hour. The Judge has
informed me, or informed this audience, that the Washington Union is
laboring for my election to the United States Senate. This is news to
me,--not very ungrateful news either. [Turning to Mr. W. H. Carlin, who
was on the stand]--I hope that Carlin will be elected to the State
Senate, and will vote for me. [Mr. Carlin shook his head.] Carlin don't
fall in, I perceive, and I suppose he will not do much for me; but I am
glad of all the support I can get, anywhere, if I can get it without
practicing any deception to obtain it. In respect to this large portion