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Douglas, Stephen Arnold (1813-1861) Campaign Democrat Extra. No. 2: On Kansas Affairs

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03167 Author/Creator: Douglas, Stephen Arnold (1813-1861) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Broadsheet Date: [after 18 December 1857] Pagination: 2 p. ; 48 x 31.9 cm. Order a Copy

Complete text of Douglas's report from the Committee on Territories to the United States Senate on December 18, 1857. With a new bill proposing specific guidelines for authorizing the Kansas territory to form a constitution to prepare for admittance to the Union. This report was evidence of Douglas's disapproval of the notorious pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution proposed for Kansas, which was endorsed by President James Buchanan. Douglas, hoping to save his Senate seat in the 1858 election, opposed the administration not because it sanctioned slavery in Kansas, but because it violated his standard of popular sovereignty. In doing so, he seriously damaged his reputation in the South. Printed in four columns front and back.

This report was evidence of Douglas's disapproval of the notorious pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution in Kansas that was endorsed by President James Buchanan. Douglas was up for reelection in 1858 and hoping to save his senate seat, opposed the administration not because it sanctioned slavery in Kansas but because it violated his standard of popular sovereignty. In doing this, he seriously damaged his reputation in the South.

Douglas, Stephen Arnold, 1813-1861

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