Gale Encyclopedia of American Law Volume 4 P3 fully illuminates today's leading cases, major statutes, legal terms and concepts, notable persons involved with the law, important documents and more. Legal issues are fully discussed in easy-to-understand language, including such high-profile topics as the Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, physician-assisted suicide and thousands more. | 8 DOUBT There can be but two great political parties in this country. Stephen Douglas DOUBT To question or hold questionable. Uncertainty of mind the absence of a settled opinion or conviction the attitude of mind toward the acceptance of or belief in a proposition theory or statement in which the judgment is not at rest but inclines alternately to either side. Proof BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT is not beyond all possible or imaginary doubt but such proof as precludes every reasonable hypothesis except that which it tends to support. It is proof to a moral certainty that is such proof as satisfies the judgment and consciences of the jury as reasonable people and applying their reason to the evidence before them that the crime charged has been committed by the defendant and so satisfies them as to leave no other reasonable conclusion possible. A REASONABLE DOUBT is such a doubt as would cause a reasonable and prudent person in the graver and more important affairs of life to pause and hesitate to act upon the truth of the matter charged. It does not mean a mere possible doubt because everything relating to human affairs and depending on moral evidence is open to some possible or imaginary doubt. V DOUGLAS STEPHEN ARNOLD Stephen Arnold Douglas achieved prominence as a . senator and as the originator of the policy known as Popular Sovereignty. He was born on April 23 1813 in Brandon Vermont. He pursued legal studies and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1834. In 1843 Douglas entered the legislative branch of the federal government as a member Stephen A. Douglas. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS of the . House of Representatives. Four years later he was elected to the . Senate and served until 1861. During his lengthy tenure as senator from Illinois Douglas became an outspoken leader in the SLAVERY controversy and his many debates and innovative policies earned him the name Little Giant. He was presiding officer of the Committee on Territories a forum for the discussion of
