House Divided Speech: Section 6: Down with Douglas Summary

Stop Trying to Make "Squatter Sovereignty" Happen. It's Not Going to Happen.

  • Lincoln says they should all expect a Supreme Court decision declaring state prohibition of slavery to be unconstitutional, unless the power of the slaveholding class is dismantled.
  • They really need to take down that slaveholding class. But how?
  • Some people say Stephen Douglas is their best bet to accomplish that goal, since in the past he's voted the same way as Republicans.
  • But Douglas said publicly he doesn't care which way a state votes, for or against slavery—so clearly he doesn't care about this cause.
  • Furthermore, it's been printed that Douglas will be needed to help revive the African slave trade.
  • Douglas hasn't confirmed this, but why wouldn't he? If people have the right to own slaves, don't they have the right to get them for the best prices?
  • Douglas has helped make the slavery question a question of property rights.
  • He's given no indication of changing his mind anytime soon.
  • But Lincoln doesn't want to give misinformation about Douglas' ideas, and prevent future collaboration should he do so.
  • But really, Douglas is not on their side.