The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-13
MR. DOUGLAS AT CHICAGO HE is DOUGLAS

There was time not long ago when it was CON-
mon to hear praises of the ability, herosm and fde
ity of the honorable senator from Illinois. He was
favorite of the great democracy, and exhibited in
defence of the cause decided ingenuity and talent
That time has passed. We do not rccolIect the lau
res won by the senator in the debates of the late
session. Much was expected of him as he led off
with grand flourish Of trumpets in opposition to
his old friends all were disappointed in the results
of that great controversy. 1t manifest Mr.
Douglass old enemies, who burned him in efigy two
years before and now his new friends, only wished
to use him to break up the democracy, not to build
up republicanism. They could afford, however, to
fatter him, the article was cheap and easily be-
slowed. AT length, thought, Mr., Senator Doug
las came to realize his true position before the coun-
try. He had abandoned great many friends, more
than there in the whole republican family. He
could scarcely have made good transaction. He
felt the loss of those who had supported him and
saw the difference between that kind of friendship
and what he was getting by supporting the republ-
cans. Hence, lately, we have had mysterious Civ
ings-out that Mr.. Douglas would go home and again,
by bold declaration, reunite himself with the demo-
cratic party.
We have at length the Geographic report of his
speech at Chicago. 1t may be imperfect in point of
matter--it may not embrace all Mr.. Douglas said.
We sincerely trust it is, that much has been left out
and much reported which Mr.. Douglas did not say.
The latter would be most desirable amendment of
the speech for what is reported to have been said
will greatly astonsh the country. Mr.. Douglas, we
fear, has mistaken demonstration in his behalf in
two or three cities for popular support and conf
dence by the whole country. He arraigns the demo-
cratic party of last winter and declares that he and
his friends defeated and Frustrated it in the passage
of the English BILL which he and his friends opposed
and voted against The English bill was all wrong,
Mr.. Douglas oond not ondoraa it he voted against
it, it became, nevertheless, a law. That law then
became triumph to Mr.. Douglas There are some
things too deep for ordinary minds; and this was
made clearer than in the report of Mr.. Doug
lass speech. What was the object of the senator
Did he wish to reopen the old wounds? Did he de-
sire to set up for himself the small capital of two
orthree public recoptons2 Has his vanity 80 over
come his judgment that he can for a moment suppose
that nineteen-tweneths Of the democratic party are
about to stultify themselves condemn their conduct
last winter, and out now for that most nfa-
nous of all abolition measures, tho Crittenden-
amendment, which Mr.. Douglas now SO warmly
approves
We say in all candor to the Illinois senator that
he never made greater mistake. 1t was his place
to forget what passed last winter. He was inter
ested in forgetting it. The country was all ready
to recognise and endorse his defective memory in
this respect. We believe Mr.. Douglas himself
really desired to obterate the infinite plumbers of the
late session. But he must vndcate his consistency
He must go down to his people and show them that
no was quite immaculate that he never made blum
ders; and in that act he committed the greatest
blunder of his life. Wewill not indulge in further
comment in anticipation of the authoritative publ
cation of his speech.