Andrew Jackson.  He would like to overcome the state sovereignty which permits Connecticut to raise cranberries and Virginia to have negro slaves, which leaves Kentucky with whisky and Maine with water, if Maine ever chooses so.  He does not know that the French Revolution was waged for the great principle of the people to rule; and he fails to see that the whole world is coming to accept that doctrine.  With the growing wealth and power of the North, of Illinois, it is necessary that the rights of the individual and local communities and of the small states as well as the large states should have the effectual counterbalance of state sovereignty to protect them against the ambition of centralists, who are money grabbers wrapping themselves about with the folds of the flag and with the garments of superior holiness.”

He wished to see Illinois crossed by two railroads, from north to south, and from east to west.  He would see the Illinois and Michigan canal completed, so that the great lake at the north of the state would be connected with the Mississippi River and with the Gulf of Mexico.  What did it mean?  The state would fill up with earners of wealth.  Lands would increase in value.  Cities would be built.  As for himself, he would do his utmost to bring these benefits to the state.

By what authority was his right challenged to come to this state to make his home; and to this town to follow the profession of the law?  Was there any one present who did not wish him to strive for these achievements for this western country?  Perhaps Mr. Wyatt objected.  No matter.  He was here to stay.  He had left a land walled in by hills and mountains, where the eye was deprived of its use in forming a vision of the world.  Here he had found his mind liberalized, his vision quickened.  Here he had found a hospitable people, inspired with hope of the future.  And he was glad he had cast his lot with theirs.  He had grown in this brief time to feel that they were his people.  And he asked them to adopt him as their son, trusting him not to forget his filial duties.

The crowd was completely amazed at the vigor and fluency of Douglas’ speech.  Such applause arose that Wyatt was visibly embarrassed as he stood up for his rejoinder.  He saw that Douglas had carried the day.  He made a feeble attempt at reply.  He tried satire; but it fell on unreceptive ears.  He dropped denunciation.  He dared not attempt that.  He took up logical analysis.  It left the audience cold.  He pecked timidly at the doctrine of state sovereignty.  Then voices began to question him.  He shifted to Jackson.  But the audience would not listen.  After using one half of the hour allotted him for a conclusion, he sat down half wilted and discomfited.