quality--upon the
following propositions:

"From these provisions, it is apparent that the compromise
measures of 1850 affirm, and rest upon, the following
propositions:

"_First._--That all questions pertaining to slavery in the
territories, and the new States to be formed therefrom, are to be
left to the decision of the people residing therein, by their
appropriate representatives, to be chosen by them for that
purpose.

"_Second._--That 'all cases involving title to slaves,' and
'questions of personal freedom,' are to be referred to the
adjudication of the local tribunals, with the right of appeal to
the Supreme Court of the United States.

"_Third._--That the provision of the Constitution of the United
States in respect to fugitives from service, is to be carried
into faithful execution in all 'the original territories,' the
same as in the States.

"The substitute for the bill which your committee have prepared,
and which is commended to the favorable action of the Senate,
proposes to carry these propositions and principles into
practical operation, in the precise language of the compromise
measures of 1850."

Mr. Douglass said:

"The legal effect of this bill, if passed, was neither to
legislate slavery into nor out of these territories, but to leave
the people to do as they pleased. And why should any man, North
or South, object to this principle? It was by the operation of
this principle, and not by any dictation from the Federal
government, that slavery had been abolished in half of the twelve
States in which it existed at the time of the adoption of the
Constitution."

On the 3d of February, Mr. Chase, of Ohio, moved to amend by striking
out the words, "was superseded by the principles of the legislation of
1850, commonly called the compromise measures, and," so that the
clause would read: "That the Constitution, and all laws of the United
States which are not locally inapplicable, shall have the same force
and effect within the said territory of Nebraska as elsewhere within
the United States, except the eighth section of the act preparatory to
the admission of Missouri into the Union, approved March 6, 1820,
which is hereby declared inoperative."

Mr. Chase then proceeded to reply to Mr. Douglass. He called attention
to that part of the President's mess