Click for full-size.
REMARKS OF THE HON. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, ON KANSAS, UTAH, AND THE DRED SCOTT DECISION. DELIVERED AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, JUNE 12TH, 1857
by Douglas, Stephen A
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Woodbridge, Connecticut, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Chicago: Daily Times Book and Job Office, 1857. 15, [1 blank] pp. Untrimmed and uncut. Light tide mark to upper third of the sheet, and to lower blank margin corner. Good+.
This is one of three printings of Douglas's important speech on the Dred Scott decision. His chief biographer calls Douglas's remarks one of his "major speeches...The Grand Jury of the United States District Court, then in session, had asked Douglas to" speak on Kansas, Utah, and Dred Scott. Douglas, "taken by surprise, spoke extemporaneously, later writing out his comments for publication." He spoke briefly on Kansas, then a bit more on Utah. The autocratic rule of Brigham Young, "lurid tales of polygamy," and defiance of federal authority embarrassed Douglas, "who stood pledged to popular sovereignty." He urged Young's removal.
"The main thrust of Douglas' remarks was aimed at the Dred Scott decision." He denounced Republicans who urged defiance, reminding them that they lived under a government of laws. Douglas supported the Supreme Court's decision: Negroes descended from slave parents could not be citizens; the Compromise of 1820-- barring slavery north of the compromise line-- was unconstitutional.
Douglas reconciled, with "some circumlocution," the Court's decision with his pet popular sovereignty doctrine. [Johannsen, Stephen A. Douglas 567-9. If slavery could not constitutionally be barred from the territories, how could a territorial legislature exclude it? Douglas's answer kept his doctrine alive, but precipitated a fatal split with the southern wing of his Party. Slavery required favorable local legislation to foster it; its absence effectively precluded slavery. This resulted in a predictable call from southerners for Congress to require territories to protect slavery. The National Democratic Party's split on this question paved the way for Lincoln's election in 1860 and the severing of the Union.
Ante-Fire Imprints 250. Byrd 2635. Flake 2985.
This is one of three printings of Douglas's important speech on the Dred Scott decision. His chief biographer calls Douglas's remarks one of his "major speeches...The Grand Jury of the United States District Court, then in session, had asked Douglas to" speak on Kansas, Utah, and Dred Scott. Douglas, "taken by surprise, spoke extemporaneously, later writing out his comments for publication." He spoke briefly on Kansas, then a bit more on Utah. The autocratic rule of Brigham Young, "lurid tales of polygamy," and defiance of federal authority embarrassed Douglas, "who stood pledged to popular sovereignty." He urged Young's removal.
"The main thrust of Douglas' remarks was aimed at the Dred Scott decision." He denounced Republicans who urged defiance, reminding them that they lived under a government of laws. Douglas supported the Supreme Court's decision: Negroes descended from slave parents could not be citizens; the Compromise of 1820-- barring slavery north of the compromise line-- was unconstitutional.
Douglas reconciled, with "some circumlocution," the Court's decision with his pet popular sovereignty doctrine. [Johannsen, Stephen A. Douglas 567-9. If slavery could not constitutionally be barred from the territories, how could a territorial legislature exclude it? Douglas's answer kept his doctrine alive, but precipitated a fatal split with the southern wing of his Party. Slavery required favorable local legislation to foster it; its absence effectively precluded slavery. This resulted in a predictable call from southerners for Congress to require territories to protect slavery. The National Democratic Party's split on this question paved the way for Lincoln's election in 1860 and the severing of the Union.
Ante-Fire Imprints 250. Byrd 2635. Flake 2985.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 39966
- Title
- REMARKS OF THE HON. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, ON KANSAS, UTAH, AND THE DRED SCOTT DECISION. DELIVERED AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, JUNE 12TH, 1857
- Author
- Douglas, Stephen A
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Daily Times Book and Job Office
- Place of Publication
- Chicago
- Date Published
- 1857
- Bookseller catalogs
- AMERICANA;
Terms of Sale
David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC
All items guaranteed as described, and subject to prior sale. Any item returnable for any reason within ten days after receipt, in same condition as sent, for refund of purchase price. My liability limited to purchase price paid. Wrappers described when present; 'dbd' means disbound. Non-U.S. shipments charged at cost. We observe all customs regulations.
About the Seller
David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC
Biblio member since 2005
Woodbridge, Connecticut
About David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC
The Company, formed in 1989, specializes in the cultural, political, and social history of the Americas. Since 1993 David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC has been a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. David M. Lesser is also a member of the American Antiquarian Society. Located in New Haven's suburb of Woodbridge, Connecticut, visitors are welcome by appointment. We issue six printed catalogues annually.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Good+
- A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.
This Book’s Categories
Bob Dylan - 2016 Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature
From the first screech of his electric guitar upsetting musicians at a folk festival to his writing and paintings, Bob Dylan has risen to become a seminal force in American popular culture. In 2016, he was recognized by the Nobel Committee. Learn more about his creations...
Beat Poet Michael McClure
From the fateful reading at Six-Gallery in 1955 to his novels, poetry, and stage productions, Michael McClure was right in the thick of the Beat Generation as it was born. See his books and art and learn more about the works of Michael McClure.
