into the Union, and, when it is once brought into the country, involving us anew in this slavery agitation.  It is therefore, as I think, a very important question for due consideration of the American people, whether the policy of bringing in additional territory, without considering at all how it will operate upon the safety of the Union in reference to this one great disturbing element in our national politics, shall be adopted as the policy of the country.  You will bear in mind that it is to be acquired, according to the Judge’s view, as fast as it is needed, and the indefinite part of this proposition is that we have only Judge Douglas and his class of men to decide how fast it is needed.  We have no clear and certain way of determining or demonstrating how fast territory is needed by the necessities of the country.  Whoever wants to go out filibustering, then, thinks that more territory is needed.  Whoever wants wider slave-fields feels sure that some additional territory is needed as slave territory.  Then it is as easy to show the necessity of additional slave-territory as it is to assert anything that is incapable of absolute demonstration.  Whatever motive a man or a set of men may have for making annexation of property or territory, it is very easy to assert, but much less easy to disprove, that it is necessary for the wants of the country.

And now it only remains for me to say that I think it is a very grave question for the people of this Union to consider, whether, in view of the fact that this slavery question has been the only one that has ever endangered our Republican institutions, the only one that has ever threatened or menaced a dissolution of the Union, that has ever disturbed us in such a way as to make us fear for the perpetuity of our liberty,—­in view of these facts, I think it is an exceedingly interesting and important question for this people to consider whether we shall engage in the policy of acquiring additional territory, discarding altogether from our consideration, while obtaining new territory, the question how it may affect us in regard to this, the only endangering element to our liberties and national greatness.  The Judge’s view has been expressed.  I, in my answer to his question, have expressed mine.  I think it will become an important and practical question.  Our views are before the public.  I am willing and anxious that they should consider them fully; that they should turn it about and consider the importance of the question, and arrive at a just conclusion as to whether it is or is not wise in the people of this Union, in the acquisition of new territory, to consider whether it will add to the disturbance that is existing amongst us—­whether it will add to the one only danger that has ever threatened the perpetuity of the Union or our own liberties.  I think it is extremely important that they shall decide, and rightly decide, that question before entering upon that policy.

And now, my friends, having said the little I wish to say upon this head, whether I have occupied the whole of the remnant of my time or not, I believe I could not enter upon any new topic so as to treat it fully, without transcending my time, which I would not for a moment think of doing.  I give way to Judge Douglas.