40 pages. "The Dividing Line Between Federal and Local Authority: Popular Sovereignty in the Territories" is a highly influential political essay written by Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas and published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine in September 1859. Written on the eve of the 1860 presidential election, the essay served as Douglas's definitive defense of "popular sovereignty"—the principle that local settlers, rather than the federal government, should decide whether to allow or prohibit slavery within their territories. The Constitutional Boundary: Douglas argues that the primary duty of American statesmen is to sharply define the boundary line between federal powers and local self-government. Territorial Rights: He asserts that when American citizens form a political community in a new territory, they inherit the exclusive right to legislate their own internal polity, including slavery. Historical Precedent: Douglas traces his philosophy back to the American Revolution. He claims the colonies fought Great Britain precisely for the right to manage local affairs without interference from a distant central government. Limiting Federal Power: He explicitly states that the U.S. Constitution does not grant Congress the power to mandate or ban slavery in the territories. Doing so, he warns, would destroy the foundational principle of self-government. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request

  • Dimensions: 5-5/8" x 8.75"
  • Condition: Very Good Condition with no missing or torn pages

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by One Source Auctions
July 27, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
177 S. Main St.
Canandaigua, NY, US 14424

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$100 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
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$10,000 + $500