The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-06-30
Letter From Senator Douglas.


The following letter from Senator Doug
las, which we find in the Louisville Demo
erat, was written in reply to an invitation
from the democracy of the lst congressional
district, Ky, TO be present at celebration
in Louisville on the 7th inst It is so ap-
propriate to the times, and has such true
ring Of tho genuine democratic steel, that
we have thought it too good to be published
only in Kentucky.
CHICAGO, June 7th, 1856.
GENTLEMEN deeply regret that it will be
impossible for me to be present and partici-
pate with you in celebrating the glorious
victory recently achieved by the democracy
Of Virginia, over the most in,ocrant, pro-
scriptive, insidious, and dangerous political
organization eYer formed against the Con-
etitutioa and lihertisA of . free country. In
oil the elections which have taken place in
the northern states during the last twelve
months, know n0thingism has not only been
the firm ally Of abolitonism, higher lavish,
and mob.lawsm, and all the other baneiul
isms Of the day but has been the control
ing power which combined, directed, and
led these allied factions in their savage and
brutal warfare against the democratic party,
its principles and organizations.
Let Us not be deceived by their repeated
changes Of name. 1t matters not whether
they call themselves "Know Nothings," or
"Know Something's" or the "Sons Of '76,"
or the "Order Of the Star Spanlled Ban
ner," or the "Children of Sam," or the
":Sons of Jonathan" or by any other name
they may assume when they have disgraced
the previous one-their secret organization
and clandestine proceedings, their intolerunt
and proscriptive spirit, their unlawful and
horrid oaths, their unconstitutional and un-
holy purposes remain unchanged. 1t is the
duty, and, firmly believe, the destiny of
the democratic party, under the guidance Of
Divine Providence, to confound, over.
whelm, and utterly annihiiate this secret,
insdious, and dangerous organization.
To accomplish this great work, it is only
necessary that we should be true to our.
selves, to our principles, and our party,
whose triumphs have ever been identified
with the interests, honor and glory Of the
Republic. Let there be no concessions to
the cnemy--none to faction--nOne to the al.
lied fanatical isms Of the day, under what.
ever name or form they may appear. The
Old Dominion has shown herself true TO her
principles, her history, and her renown.-
Her democracy have fought the battle faith
fully, CALAMITY, gloriousy. With you | re-
joice 10 her triumph. May Kentucky imi-
tate the example. and rival the achievements
Of her ilustrious mother! All eyes are now
fixed upon your noble state. A similar vic.
tory in old Kentucky would oyerwhelm the
| enemy with dismay and despair. while il
would carry joy, hope and confidence to the
heart of every friend Of religious freedom
and constitutional right throughout the
length and breadth Of the land.
Pardon the length of this letter, and &C,
cept for yourselves and those you represent,
my grateful Acknowledgements for your kind
invitation.
Ihave the honor to be, very truly,
Your friend and obedient servant,
S. A. DOUGLAS
Messrs. F. 8. J. Ronald, W. Tomkins, G.
l. Harrison, J. p. Fulwier,
Dem Dis. Com, &c