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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Ancestry.-Death of his Father.—Life on a Farm.-Disappointment.—Ap-
prenticeship.-Enters School.-Removal to Western New York.-Studies
Law.-Taste for Politics.-Goes to the West.-Experience in Cleveland.
-Cincinnati.-Louisville.-Trip to St. Louis.-Hon. E. C. Bates.-Il-
linois at that time.—Internal Improvements.-Douglas reaches Jackson-
ville...........
.Page 1
CHAPTER II.
Want of Money. Goes to Winchester. - Clerk of Auction.— Obtains a
School.-Murray M'Connel.-Admitted to the Bar.-Personal Appear-
ance.- e.—Jackson's Bank Policy.-Douglas proposes Meeting to defend it.
-The Meeting.—Douglas's Triumph.-Meeting of Legislature.-Douglas
elected State's Attorney.-Early Friends.-Predictions of his Failure.—
His Tact and Ability.-His Success.-Institutes Convention System in
Morgan County.-Its Success.-Douglas put on Ticket.-Democrats carry
the County 14
CHAPTER III.
Douglas in the Legislature.-Internal Improvement System.-National Poli-
tics. Reports against Divorces.-Proposes Plan for Internal Improve-
ments. Is overruled.-System adopted.-Appointed Register of Land-
office.-Gloomy political Prospects.-Convention System resorted to.-
Origin of Democratic State Organization.-Nominated for Congress.-
Memorable Canvass.-Is defeated.-First State Convention.-Public Din-
ner at Quincy.-Rejoicings of the Whigs.-Several Speeches.-The Case
of M'Clernand and Field.—Douglas's Argument.-Supreme Court.-Cam-
paign of 1840.—Douglas's Canvass.-Debates in the Lobby.-Appointed
Secretary of State.-History of the "Alien Suffrage."-Douglas presents
a hostile Decision.-The Vote saved for Van Buren.-Supreme Court re-
organized.-Douglas elected to the Bench.-His Circuit.-The Mormons.
-Saves Joe Smith's Life.-Gratitude of Smith.-Douglas's Influence with
the Mormons.-His Popularity as a Judge.-Caucus for U. S. Senator.-
Is defeated by one Vote.-Second State Convention.-Nominated for Con-
gress.-His Opponent.-Is elected.-Violent Illness.-Leaves for Wash-
ington.-Retrospect...
27
Ancestry.-Death of his Father.-Life on a Farm.-Disappointment.-Ap-
Law.—Taste for Politics.-Goes to the West.-Experience in Cleveland.
linois at that time.-Internal Improvements.-Douglas reaches Jackson-
ville............ ...........Page 1
Want of Money.-Goes to Winchester. - Clerk of Auction. - Obtains a
ance.-Jackson's Bank Policy.-Douglas proposes Meeting to defend it.
—The Meeting.—Douglas's Triumph.-Meeting of Legislature.-Douglas
elected State's Attorney.-Early Friends.-Predictions of his Failure.-
the County
14
............
tics.-Reports against Divorces.-Proposes Plan for Internal Improve-
ments.-Is overruled.-System adopted.-Appointed Register of Land-
of M'Clernand and Field.-Douglas's Argument.-Supreme Court.-Cam-
paign of 1840.-Douglas's Canvass.-Debates in the Lobby.-Appointed
a hostile Decision The Vote saved for Van Buren.-Supreme Court re-
organized.-D cted the Bench.-His Circuit.-The Mormons.
de of Smith.-Douglas's Influence with
Tudge.-Caucus for U. S. Senator.-
te Convention.-Nominated for Con-
Violent Illness.-Leaves for Wash-
CHAPTER IV.
Early Support of Jackson.—Speech on Jackson's Fine.—Invited to Tennes-
see.-Monster Convention.-Visit to the Hermitage.—Interview with
Jackson. Interesting Account.-Jackson's Estimate of Douglas's Speech.
-Speech at Inauguration of Jackson's Statue.....
CHAPTER V.
.....Page 59
Annexation of Texas.-Proposes 36° 30'.-It is adopted.-Mexican War.
-Great Speech on American Title, and in Defense of the War.-Treaty
of Peacc.-Votes against it....
72
CHAPTER VI.
Foreign Policy.-Oregon Boundary.-Democratic Platform.-54° 40′.-
Monroe Doctrine.-Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.—Debates in Senate.—Speech
on Monroe Doctrine.-Extracts from Debates.-Cuba.........
CHAPTER VII.
91
Territorial Expansion.-Central America.—Annexation of more Territory.
-Friendship of England.-Repelling foreign Aggressions.-Filibuster-
ism.-Acquisition of Cuba........
CHAPTER VIII.
111
Compromise of 1850.-The Questions at issue.-The Demands on both
sides. Henry Clay in the Senate.-President's Message.-Plans of Com-
promise by Houston, Benton, Foote, Bell, and Clay.-Abolition of Peti-
tions.-Protracted Debates.-Speeches by Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Doug-
las.-Bills reported for California, the Territories, and Texas Boundary.
-Committee of Thirteen appointed.—Why Clay reported Omnibus.
Conversation between Clay and Douglas.-History of Omnibus Bill.—
Davis's Amendments.-Restrictions on Territorial Legislation.-Soule's
Amendment.-Douglas votes for Wilmot Proviso.-His Reasons.-Texas
Boundary.-California.-Death of President Taylor.-Power of Terri-
torial Legislatures.-Extracts from Debates.-Destruction of the Omnibus.
-New Mexico put out.-Texas put out.-California put out.-Utah left
alone.—36° 30′ repudiated by the Abolitionists.-Passage of the Bill. 124
CHAPTER IX.
California Bill passed.-Texas Boundary Bill passed.-New Mexico Bill
passed.-Fugitive Slave Law passed.-Exclusion of free Negroes from
States.-Douglas's Speech.-Extracts from Debates on final Passage of
Compromise Acts.-Douglas returns to Chicago.-The Abolition Mob.-
Defends the Fugitive Slave Law.-Effects of the Speech.-The Compro-
mise in Congress.—His Speech in 1851.—Why his Vote not recorded for
Fugitive Slave Law.-Why he voted for Wilmot Proviso.-The Chicago
Speech.-Defense of Fugitive Slave Law.....
155
CHAPTER X.
The Nebraska-Kansas Bill.—Its Purpose.-The Freedom of the People.—
Douglas reports the Bill.-The Missouri Compromise.-Dixon Amend-
ment. Sumner Amendment.-Bill taken up.-Chase asks Postponement.
-Meantime Chase issues his Address.-Douglas's Exposure of the Trick.
-Chase's Apology.-Protest of New England Clergy.—Of the Chicago
Clergy. 14th Section.-The Chase Amendment.-Its Design.—Why it
was voted down.-Extracts from Speeches of Wells, Toucey, Hunter, Cass,
Atchison.-The Badger Amendment.-Clayton Amendment.-Bill passed.
-History of Bill in the House.-Returned to Senate.-Passed.-Douglas's
Speech of March 3.-President Pierce and the Nebraska Bill.... Page 187
Anti-Nebraskaism.
CHAPTER XI.
-Know-nothingism. — Douglas denounces Know-noth-
ingism at Philadelphia.-His Speech on that occasion.-Chicago Mob in
1854.-Description of Scene.-Reason for refusing him a Hearing.-Vio-
lence at other points.-The Election of 1854.-Fusion Legislature.-Elec-
tion of Trumbull.-Douglas offered a public Dinner at Chicago.-His
Speech on that occasion.-Visits New Orleans.-Denounces Know-noth-
ings at Richmond, Va..........................
CHAPTER XII.
..................
263
Relief of Supreme Court of U. States.-Douglas's Plan.-His Speech explain-
ing it.-Plan rejected.-Bill fails.-His Defense of Supreme Court... 277
CHAPTER XIII.
Kansas in 1856.-President's Message.-Topeka Constitution.-Douglas's
celebrated Report, March 12th.-Reports a Bill enabling Kansas to form
a State Government.-Extracts from Report.-His Speech on same sub-
ject.-His Reply to Collamer.-Various Bills introduced.-Toombs's Bill.
-Bill passed.-House passes Bill admitting Kansas.-Senate amends it.
-Dunn's Bill passes House.-Douglas's Report upon it.-Laid on Table.
-House introduces Legislation for Kansas into Army Bill.-Disagree-
ment of Houses.-Congress adjourns.—Army Bill lost.-Congress con-
vened, and Bill passed......
CHAPTER XIV.
284
The Lecompton Controversy.-Governors for Kansas.-Governor Walker.-
Conditions of Acceptance.-His Instructions and Inaugural.-Constitu-
tion to be submitted.-Meeting of Congress.-President's Message.-
Douglas's Speech of 9th December.....
Internal Improvements.
-
CHAPTER XV.
311
River and Harbor Bills.-Tonnage Duties.- Douglas's Proposition.-Letter to Governor Matteson.-Illinois Central