Southern shield., 1858-10-02
Washington UniOn and Douglas.


 diminished severity and relentlessness. w cannot help admiring, somewhat, the ability and pertinacity displayed by the Union ir it's pursuit of the rebellous Illinois Senator although we think a large portion of those qualities might be better expended on ob- ects more deserving reproach nearer the Federal metropolis. But, no matter what the sins, or what the worthy attributes ol Mir. Douglas, one thing is self-evident the ! Union has proved itself formidable, crueI and implacable obstacle in his pathway to political advancement, and if he is defeated in his efforts to obtain a reelection to the United States Senate from the Legislature of Illinois, the result will be owing to the influence of '' the powers that be" brought to bear upon the State through the columns of the oficial'organ.
 The Union of the 18th closes an elaborate and powerful article in this wise:
 We are, then, opposed to the election of Mir. Lincoln and Mir. Douglas, to Mir. Dou- glas and Mir. Lincoln. We deny that the Democratic party are called upon to take the one or the other. It is said that if Dou- glas should fail of an dection, Lincoln would | be successful. That may or may not be so. 1 It is not question for he Democracy to con- slider. They can make no concession in such cases without adoption of the heresy whicL it is their purpose to condemn. A counter l felt is not made more valuable with honest men by being near resemblance to the original. A rogue is not to be credited 1T l society because he is so accomplished in the arts of life as to pass for a gentleman. The | Democratic party has strength, integrity and sagacity sufficient to confer its honor! upon those who seek it's welfare and pro mote its triumphS. Let us test this ques ton whether we can be driven to mak choice between two eyils-suppose the ap | poitment of a Senator from Illinois had de yolved upon Congress, would the Democrat party limit the election to MT. Lincoln ant Mir. Douglas? Do they constitute the State embody its wisdom and its institutions?
 Mir. Douglas is the nominee of no party He has the endorsement of no Convention He represents no political organization What, then, is his real position in the pres ent canvass? Acting last winter in oppo sition to his former party, he returned hom and demdnded the endorsement Ot the peOpI Of Illinois of hiS dpostdcy. That is the issue He calls for vote of condemnation upol the President and both houses of Congress He asks that he may be sustained i1t hiS dct Of opposition to the Democratic party. II repudiates the principles of the Dred Scot decision, because they were not directly cm braced in the judgment of the case upon tn record, declaring all else to be mere dict, of the Judge. He is technical lawyer ant a vagrant politician. He will confne tn Court to the issue, but will himself be bount by no law, party, or principle.
 ! Well, tits none of our funeral" w have never belonged to the Unions wing Q the Democracy, nor to the Douglas wing o the Democracy, and never expect to. w have preferred, and do still prefer, tha Douglas should beat Lincoln. Douglas with all his faults, is a tolerably decent anC very able man. We don't believe he would do a mean thing, or wantoniy aggress upOI the South, without such meanness and az gression were overwhelmingly popula among the people with whom he had to deal Lincoln, on the contrary, is malignant. indecent and abominable AbolitiOnist-o the meanest. dirtiest, and most virulent type and does not begin to compare in ability requirements, honor or bravery, with Dou glas. He is natural fanatic of the loves description, and would invade the rights o South without cause, rhyme or reason, an, would pride himself upon stealing negr from a planters house who had hospitabl cared for and entertained him the night pre- vious. This is about the substantial differ ence between the two men, one or the Othe of whom is bound to be elected to the Sen ate just as the coming election for member of the Legislature terminates favorably o disastrously to one or the other.
 The contest is strictly between Dough- and Lincoln. They are the only nags o track to contest for the prize; and if an r others should attempt to enter, they woul
 be hooted off. Hence, all efforts at specia pleading, either by the Union or any of it , contemporaries, to spread the idea that an outsider has any chance whatever should b : regarded as utterly fallacious, and treate accordingly.-N. 0. Crescent.
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