The President declared that "it has been solemnly adjudged by the highest judicial tribunal known to our laws that slavery exists in Kansas by virtue of the Constitution of the United States." This was giving the fullest scope to the extreme and revolting doctrine put forward by the advocates of slavery, and, had it been made effective respecting the Territories, there are many reasons for believing that a still more offensive step might have been taken respecting the anti- slavery action of the States.
The attempt to admit Kansas, under the Lecompton Constitution, proved disastrous to the Democratic party.

The first decided break was that of Senator Douglas.

He refused to sustain the iniquity.
He had gone far with the pro-slavery men, but he refused to take this step.

He had borne great burdens in their interest, but this was the additional pound that broke the back of his endurance.
When the Dred Scott decision was delivered, Mr.Douglas had applauded it, and, as Mr.Lincoln charged, had assented to it before it was pronounced.

With his talent for political device, he had doubtless contrived some argument or fallacy by which he could reconcile that judicial edict with his doctrine of "popular sovereignty," and thus maintain his standing with the Northern Democracy without losing his hold on the South.