right or wrong, would settle the question of slavery in the Territories.[806] Apropos of Douglas’s speech at Columbus, the New York Times admitted that at least his principles were “definite” and uttered in a “frank, gallant and masculine” spirit;[807] and his speeches were deemed of enough importance to be printed entire in the columns of this Republican journal.  “He means to go to Charleston,” guessed the editor shrewdly, “as the unmistakable representative of the Democratic party of the North and to bring this influence to bear upon Southern delegates as the only way to secure their interests against anti-slavery sentiment represented by the Republicans.  He will claim that not a single Northern State can be carried on a platform more pro-slavery than his.  The Democrats of the North have yielded all they will."[808]

While Douglas was in Ohio, he was saddened by the intelligence that Senator Broderick of California, his loyal friend and staunch supporter in the Lecompton fight, had fallen a victim to the animosity of the Southern faction in his State.  The Washington Constitution might explain his death as an affair of honor—­he was shot in a duel—­but intelligent men knew that Broderick’s assailant had desired to rid Southern “chivalry” of a hated political opponent.[809] A month later, on the night of October 16th, John Brown of Kansas fame marshalled his little band of eighteen men and descended upon the United States arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.  What did these events portend?

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 775:  Weiss, Life and Correspondence of Theodore Parker, II, p. 243.]

[Footnote 776:  Rhodes, History of the United States, II, p. 355.]

[Footnote 777:  Memphis Avalanche, November 30, 1858, quoted by Chicago Times, December 8, 1858.]

[Footnote 778:  New Orleans Delta, December 8, 1858, quoted by Chicago Times, December 19, 1858.]

[Footnote 779:  Rhodes, History of United States, II, p. 355.]

[Footnote 780:  See reported conversation of Douglas with the editor of the Chicago Press and Tribune, Hollister, Life of Colfax, p. 123.]

[Footnote 781:  Letcher to Crittenden; Coleman.  Life of John J. Crittenden, II, p. 171; Hollister, Colfax, p. 124.]

[Footnote 782:  New Orleans Delta, December 8, 1858.]

[Footnote 783:  Globe, 35 Cong., 2 Sess., p. 1243.]

[Footnote 784:  Globe, 35 Cong., 2:  Sess., p. 1245.]

[Footnote 785:  Ibid., pp. 1247-1248.]

[Footnote 786:  Globe, 35 Cong., 2 Sess., p. 1259.]

[Footnote 787:  Ibid., p. 1258.]

[Footnote 788:  Globe, 35 Cong., 2 Sess., p. 1256.]

[Footnote 789:  Ibid., p. 1243.]

[Footnote 790:  Rhodes, History of the United States, II, p. 371.]