Dignified silence, however, was the last thing to be expected from the peppery gentleman from Mississippi.  He must speak “the language of just indignation.”  He gladly testified to the consideration with which Douglas was wont to treat the South, but he warned the young Senator from Illinois that the old adage—­"in medio tutissimus ibis"—­might lead him astray.  He might think to reach the goal of his ambitions by keeping clear of the two leading factions and by identifying himself with the masses, but he was grievously mistaken.

The reply of Douglas was dignified and guarded.  He would not speak for or against slavery.  The institution was local and sustained by local opinion; by local sentiment it would stand or fall.  “In the North it is not expected that we should take the position that slavery is a positive good—­a positive blessing.  If we did assume such a position, it would be a very pertinent inquiry.  Why do you not adopt this institution?  We have moulded our institutions at the North as we have thought proper; and now we say to you of the South, if slavery be a blessing, it is your blessing; if it be a curse, it is your curse; enjoy it—­on you rest all the responsibility!  We are prepared to aid you in the maintenance of all your constitutional rights; and I apprehend that no man, South or North, has shown more consistently a disposition to do so than myself....  But I claim the privilege of pointing out to you how you give strength and encouragement to the Abolitionists of the North."[246]

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 223:  See Garrison, Westward Extension, Ch. 14.]

[Footnote 224:  Globe, 29 Cong., 1 Sess., p. 815.]

[Footnote 225:  February 1, 1848.]

[Footnote 226:  See Bancroft’s History of Mexico, pp. 173-174 note.]

[Footnote 227:  Niles’ Register, Vol. 50, p. 336.]

[Footnote 228:  Globe, 29 Cong., 1 Sess., pp. 816-817.]

[Footnote 229:  Forney, Anecdotes of Public Men, I, p. 52.]

[Footnote 230:  Polk, MS. Diary, Entry for June 22, 1846.]

[Footnote 231:  Polk, MS. Diary, Entry for June 23, 1846.]

[Footnote 232:  Even the Alton Telegraph, a Whig paper, and in times past no admirer of Douglas, spoke (May 30, 1846) of the “most admirable” speech of Judge Douglas in defense of the Mexican War (May 13th).]

[Footnote 233:  The official returns were as follows: 

    Douglas 9629
    Vandeventer 6864
    Wilson 395
]

[Footnote 234:  The Abolitionist candidate in 1846 showed no marked gain over the candidate in 1844; Native Americanism had no candidates in the field.]

[Footnote 235:  Polk, MS. Diary, Entry for September 4, 1846.]

[Footnote 236:  Globe, 29 Cong., 2 Sess., pp. 13-14.]