The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-20
DOUGLAS AND THE DEMOCRACY.
from tha Rlchmon south, July III

[From III Rchmon SOUTH July III
We presume nobody will suspect us Of Incorporate
hostility to Judge Douglas since recent proposal for
reconciliation with the anLecompton democrats of H.
linos
the interest of the South the Union and the party
suggested reunion Of the northern democracy az
ordng the only possible hope for the defeat of the abo
litonists in 1860 The circumstances Of the moment
peculiarly favorable to adjustment Of the Ie-
compton difficulty. The KanFas controversy had been
settled the public mind quiet and no issue remain
ed to exasperne and iname the Democratic organization
SO far might be forescen the future full of peace
1t only necessary that the dead issues of the past
should be buried out of sight, in order to effect perfect
reconciliation between tho hostile wings of the de-
mocracy.
In the South the Lecompon democracy occupy the po-
stion of power In Virginia ninety nine in every hun
dred sustain the policy of the administration We could
Afford then, with the grace of magnanimy to propose
oblivion of tho past and reunion of old comrades
the condition Of cordial cooperation for the future
The Lecompton principle had triumphcd over oil ndvcr
sarics The Kansas difficulty adj sed in way to
obviatc the chance of subsequent complication How
foolish then to persist in distinction for which there
no basis in fact reason and of which tho ncvita
BILE result would be to destroy the democratic party and
prccpitatc dissolution Of the Union SO thought,
and accordingly vcnturcd to suggest amnesty for
past offence pledge Of good behavior for the future
The proposition not thrown out without solicita
ton from the opposite faction We had very particular
reasons for believing that Judge Douglas and his
catcs regretted their scparon from the democracy and
unafcctcdly anxious to be rcadmittcd into the
party. We assured that their feelings and prin-
cplcs IN regard to the rights Of the South Ind under
gone essential modification and we understood,
the best authority, that they only demanded mutual
Oblivion of recent differences Under these circumstances
did not hesitate to advise the democracy of the South
against tho policy of perpetual csrangemcnt from the
anti Ieconpton ncnconformsts Of the North Certainly
there nothing Of intolerance in tho proposition III
obnoxious to ut ALL it open to the objection
of extreme indulgence. And upon that score IL was
sharply criticised by of most respected cotcmpo-
raries in the South.
After the exhibition Of liberal spirit by the de-
mocracy, all that necessary to the
union of the party the acceptance OF the conditions
by the rccnsant members. In suspense the country
awaited the reply of their acknowledged leader lie has
spoken at last and sorry TO say that his response
is by means satisfactory.
We repeat that had the very highest authority for
tho belief that Judge Douglas would abstain any in
vitason discussion Of extinct issues that he earnestly
solicitous for reconciliation with tho democracy, and
that he would pursue policy which would not hazard
the harmony OF the party To he still specific
will say that understood him to acquicsco in the set
Element Of the Kansas difficulty the basis Of The
promise bill Such certainly the assurance of his
most familiar followers.
In his Chicago SPEECH Judge Douglas rcdecms none Of
these pledges. 50 far from ignoring obsolete issues no
parallels his anti LccomptDnsn into the very Cont Of his