The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-30
From the Chicago TinaeS1
LETTER FROM HON. REVERDY JOHNSON
THE WARFARE ON DOUGLAS.

THE WARFARE ON DOUGLAS.
LYNDHuEST, NEAR BALTIMORE,
July Goth, 1858.
My DEAR JUDGE No one of Your friends has
witnessed with more pleasure than | have the gen
eral appreciation you seem to be receiving at the
hands of the Democracy of Illinois,
The impulse, to say this to you is under the cir
cumstances, strong that hope to be excused for
yielding to it, That there should occasionally be
differences of opinion amongst men Ofgenerallv con-
curing sentiment, is not at all to be wondered at
The onlJ wonder there should be is that the differ
ences are not of more frequent occurrence. To
exact universal accordance in all measures of pOlit-
ical policy, however contrary they may be to past
opinions, sanctioned at the time by general appro-
val, and to oStracise those who differ and especially
on measure from its very nature OF temporary
duration and influence, is not only unmixed party
tyranny, but the very essence of folly.
And yet this is the character of the hostility
which some OF the Democratic presses are now so
ruthlessy waging against you. Protesting to be to
the very hearts core opposed to Repubcanism, as
understood in these times, and to all its adherents
they certainly doing. whether knowingly or
not all they can to elect to the Senate ofthe United
States, from your State, a leader of that PARTY
who, Judging from his reported speeches. is deeply
and incurahly dyed in every of its political and
fatal hereses A leader whose success on your de-
feat will be hailed everywhere by his followers as
the death itself of the Democratic partv and
carry well caused alarm to those who look to the
preservation of the Peace true interests and duty of
every State in the Union, and be considered tri-
umph of deep settled, bitter malignitv or blind
unreaSOning prejudice to the Southern States
The madness of such course naturally cxcitcs spe-
cial wonder amongst all the friends of the present
Misunderstanding who look only to its true honor and
success, uniniiuenced by petty motives of personal
spite to one who, like Yourself, has for so many
years with signal ability and unqucstioned good
faith, contributed much to further the general
measures of policy which have OF late years estab
lished, and with truth for the party, the title of
National
The excuse, such as it is, tit is the only one) that
you did not agree with the Presidents ultimate 20
hey In the Kansas matter, is too himsy to deceive
an honest observer. That policy, it is to be remem-
bered, was not the which the President adopted
IN the beginning. He assumed in his published in
structiOns to Gov. Walker, as Il fact not doubted
by him, that the Constitution, which the territorial
convention would form, would in good faith and in
ITS entirety be submitted to the people He evident
ly did not think it possible, (and who did who was
not in the secretly that such submission would be
in form that would give the people no opportunity
to pass Judgment upon the Constitution at all that
solely a collateral matter, having nothing to do
with single clause iH the instrument. As matter
of policy, well tf justice, that this was grave
error, no sane, unbiased mind can think be found
to question. But this being done, and being legal
the President esteemed it best to submit it aDproy
lngly to Congress. But in doing had he the
sanction OF all of his best sends Of the best and
oldest friends of the party? No one will answer
aiiirmativcly who was in Washington at the time,
and attentive observer of all that was then said
and DONE
That the President acted conscientiously. and as
he believed for the best, have no doubt: but very
many OF his truest and fastest friends entertained
a different opinion. These thought that the prop
er course was to submit the matter to Congress-
without executive endorsement or disapprobation
to be disposed of that body might deem the best
| confess that this my own opinion. But when he
mad decided otherwise final and pretty general acqu-
escencen the measure given from desire to
have matter so fruitful of mschieyous uneasiness
IN the country, settled, and from conviction that
In the way proposed it could be settled And | see
no present reason for doubling the accuracy of this
belief. But are those who continue to think other
wise to be on that account villiied and denied
munlcation with the party? Is that to be the re-
suit OF an honest perseverance to an original opin-
ION, concerned in perhaps at the time
by a majority of the party? Are its dead
lest foes-foes to nearly all its past and probable
future policy to be brought into power through tho
instrumentality of warfare carried on from the
mere indulgence of the i-will and personal hatred
which the pursuit of honest convictions NAV have
engcndered? Under such suicidal blindness what
party can long survive? Is inability to agree in
every measure proposed, which ultimately receives
the approval of majority, conclusive evidence of
want or party fealty? lfso, how can so many now
be favored members of the Democratic party who
at first did not sanction the policy of repeating the
Missouri slavery restriction? These are, | know,
to be found South well as North, and amongst
these doubtless can be ranged the President himself
no believes had he at that period been in the leo
isative councils of the nation that he would have
given that measure his support? ! certainly no
more believe it than that had been there Southern
man as am, and not 5lindy hope, but strongly and
atfectionatey, with equal attachment to the other
States, it would have received my SUPPORT But
yet, is the President, because Of such difference
with his party, less to be esteemed an honest and
faithful, and honored member of it?
l cannot, therefore, but marvel at, as much as ]
lament, the bitterness and madness of the opposi-
ton to you of former political associates, trust,
however, sincerely trust, that their enable
enmity will be of no avail, and that triumph will
follow your prudent, bold manly and patriotic can
vass-a triumph so vital to the continuing success
of the party, and involved in it the continuing
peace and prosperity of the country
With great regard, your friend and ob't servant,
REvERDY JOHNSON