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s expressly established slavery； it was not within the power of Congress or its creature； the territorial legislature； to abolish it。 This was not the creed of the Northern Democracy； which had embraced the popular sovereignty doctrine of Douglas and Cass。 To abandon that doctrine was to alienate the Northern Democrats and lose the presidential election。 To carry it out in good faith was to surrender Kansas and the remaining Territories to anti…slavery institutions； for it was already evident that popular sovereignty meant free States。 It was at no time a part of the serious political philosophy of the South； but the ingenious invention of the Northern leaders to hold their following。 The South had permitted is Northern allies to give currency to the doctrine； but the more sagacious saw that it was a failure and were preparing； when the election was over； to cast it aside and announce the true Southern dogma； that no sovereignty except that of a State could forbid slavery anywhere in the Union。
Already the Dred Scott case was pending in the Supreme Court and had been once argued； but the decision was reserved until the elections were over and the new President inaugurated。 Well informed Southern statesmen did not doubt that this ultra doctrine of their party would receive the authoritative sanction of that tribunal and the temporary scaffolding of popular sovereignty would then be summarily kicked aside。 They could not afford to adopt Trumbull's declaration of power in the Territory to abolish slavery； for they secretly expected to establish that it had no such power。 They could not afford to frankly declare against it while still courting the Northern Democrats。 Benjamin； who was an accomplished lawyer； and with the lawyer's instincts depended more on constitutional defenses than on wavering popular majorities； moved to add the words 〃subject only to the Constitution of the United States。〃 Now that the Constitution had become the bulwark of slavery； there was nervous dread that Congress and the people might forget that it was the supreme law to which all legislation was subject。 Douglas earnestly objected to Trumbull's amendment。 He protested against it as wholly unnecessary。 He also voted against it as did the great majority of the Senators。
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33 to 12； but the House declined to consider it； and on the 3d passed an act to admit Kansas under the Topeka Constitution。 No compromise of differences so radical was possible。 Douglas remarked truly to his biographer that 〃it was evident during all the proceedings that the Republicans were as anxious to keep the Kansas question open as the Democrats were to close it； in view of the approaching presidential election。〃
Chapter IX。 The Conventions of 1856。
Douglas was now at the zenith of his success； master of all his resources； the most admired； dreaded and powerful man in American public life。 History must inexorably condemn much of his most brilliant and successful work； but the very emphasis of its condemnation is an involuntary tribute to the matchless efficiency of the man。 At this period he was the most masterful and commanding personage of purely civil character that has 〃strutted his hour upon the stage〃 of American politics。 The cabinet maker's apprentice； the village schoolmaster； the Western lawyer； had； by sheer force； established his right to this position of real master of his country。 A weak President was cringing at his feet。 He had overcome the brilliant and powerful opposition in the Senate。 The aristocratic South； which instinctively dreaded and despised a plebeian； was paying him temporary homage。
He was barely 43 years old。 So strenuous and effective had been his youth that people hesitated to set bounds to his future possibilities。 So strongly had his overmastering force impressed the popular imagination that the sobriquet； 〃Little Giant；〃 suggested by his small stature and enormous energy； had become household words。 He had come to Washington fifteen years before； a crude； coarse； blustering youth； as described by the accomplished Adams whose social ideals were borrowed from the courts of Europe。 But he had readily adjusted himself to his new environment and taken on the polish of the Capital。 Though never rich； he made money with ease and spent it with princely munificence。 He was not only the political dictator but the social lion of Washington。 He lived in splendid style； in harmony with his exalted station； entertained generously and responded freely to the numerous invitations of friends and admirers。 〃His ready wit； his fine memory； made him a favorite。 * * * * He delighted in pleasant company。 Unused to what is called etiquette； he soon adapted himself to its rules and took rank in the dazzling society of the Capital。 * * * To see him threading the glittering crowds with a pleasant smile or kind word for everybody one would have taken him for a trained courtier。〃
Tradition； backed by General McClellan； says he was a heavy drinker； though not a drunkard； and some of his finest speeches at this period of his life appear to have been delivered after unrestrained carousals that would have prostrated ordinary men。
Ever since 1852； when his youth and indiscretion had defeated his presidential aspirations； he had been waiting impatiently for the Convention of 1856。 During the past four years he had been conspicuously 〃riding in the whirlwind and directing the storm〃 of politics。 He had perhaps intensified the hostile prejudices of the New England Puritans； but they were austere moralists； rather than progressive politicians。 He had certainly alienated many friends in the Northwest； which was slowly withdrawing from its old alliance with the South； and falling into sympathy with the stern and uncompromising East。 But； while he regretted the necessity of giving offense to any section of the country or any body of the people； he had deliberately chosen what he deemed the less of two political evils；the alienation of the Puritans of New England and the Northwest rather than a breach with the salve holding baronage of the South； which had established a prescriptive right to control the Presidency。 And yet the fact could not be blinked that all his services and sacrifices to the South had failed to give him its confidence and the enthusiastic loyalty that springs from it。 It viewed him with mingled emotions of admiration and fear。 It desired to retain his service but was unwilling to trust him with power。 It could not forget that in his zeal for its service that he had trifled with the North and suspected that； if self…interest prompted； he might break faith with the section which he now served with such ardor。
The South； a decided minority in population； had long held its sway by artful appeals to the selfish ambition of Northern politicians。 Although the undisputed command of the Democracy was in its hands and the burning question of the time was that of slavery； no Southern man had in late years been permitted to enter the field as a candidate for the Presidency。 The Southern leaders inexorably insisted on giving the nomination to Northern men。 There were at this time three candidates from the North； Pierce； how would have joyfully submitted to any terms and pledged himself to any service for another four years of office； Buchanan； the great lawyer and distinguished statesman； who had just returned from the English mission； and Douglas； the giant of the Senate； the recognized head and practical dictator of his party。
In point of ability and energy there was no comparison between Douglas and either of his competitors。 Pierce had laboriously earned for himself the lasting contempt of the world。 Buchanan was an eminently respectable； dignified old gentleman of great professional attainments and diplomatic experience； an admirable Ambassador； a good Secretary of State； who might even have adorned the Supreme Bench； but whose vacillating will and temporizing character hopelessly unfitted him for the arduous duties of the Presidency in the great crises that ensued。 Had the positive； combative and masterful Douglas been nominated at this time it may be safely