These slaves were brought into the Territory under the Constitution of the United States and are now the property of their masters.

This point has at length been finally decided by the highest judicial tribunal of the country." However blind Buchanan might be to the fact that this extreme interpretation shocked and alarmed the sentiment of the North; that if made before the late Presidential campaign it would have defeated his own election; and that if rudely persisted in, it might destroy the Democratic ascendency in the future, the danger was obvious and immediately vital to Douglas.

His senatorial term was about to expire.
To secure a reelection he must carry the State of Illinois in 1858, which had on an issue less pronounced than this defeated his colleague Shields in 1854, and his lieutenant Richardson in 1856.

But more than this, his own personal honor was as much involved in his pledges to the voters of Illinois as had been that of Governor Walker to the voters of Kansas.

His double-dealing caucus bargain had thus placed him between two fires--party disgrace at Washington and popular disgrace in Illinois.