The Van Buren press., 1859-09-21
Our Illinois Letters.
CHICAGO. ILL.,, Sept. 9, 1859

| CHICAGO. ILL.,. Sept. 9. 1859.
capacity of a newspaper correspondent, and NOR
particularly so when the writer is entirely unac
quainted with his readers but it is to behoped in
the present case that by fearless exposition o.
the views l entertain upon those subjects which
may be treated Of shall soon feel free from tha,
difiidence which now influences me. You ar,
aware that much Of my time is given to the study
Of political economy-that cherish with avidi,,
the constitutional doctrines Of the Democratic par
ty-that discard with disgust all attempts I,
pervert the nationality of our political systems and
consider the Republican party of to day, the off
spring OF fanatical reasoning, and dangerous ts
the welfare of the Confedcracy. Thus thinking,
am satisfied from my long acquaintance with you
that We both stand on the same platform
Within the last two years there has sprung ur
in the ranks of the Democracy a discortlant ele
cmen.. giving birth 10 contention and unwise rival
ry. Some now style themselves Buchanan Demo
ccrats, Others adopt the title of Douglas Democrats
Now. before going any further it may be proper fo,
me to state upon which side of the personal contro
versy consider myself. for think i, best to talk
candid in this communication that may not be
misunderstood hereafter
Upon the Lecompton question sided with the
Administration, and consequently differed from
Senator Douglas in the hostile position he assumed
consider now that the issue which grew out O,
that contest is dead. can conceive in no mannc.
the prscticabilty or sense of discussing over the
remains Of defunct principle. fAf-a its spplica
tion to present circumstances is concerned The
best and truest method of party government in the
regulation Of its successful progress. is carry out
fully the wisdom Of letting the dead past bury
its dcad."
When came to this State, my political preiu
dces were against the election Of Mr. Douglas to tn,
s. Senate. which canvass had just commenced
by the introductory y-out of Mr.. Lincoln in his
widely copied Springfield speech. where the fool
ish dogma first originated that this country can
not endure half slave and half free it must be
come all one thing or all the other 1t took me
however. but short time to learn the fact tha,
douglas had the entire Democratic strength of Hi
nois to push him forward. it afterwards was pro
ven. Thus. at first. supported him the choice
Of two evils but afterwards hearing several o.
his speeches and subsequently, getting private con
firmation Of his political belief found that had
been deceived in the character of the little giant
and was forced to admit it. feel confident now
that the Democratic party does not possess trucl
or an abler advocate than STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS and
that whatever may be said TO the contrary the
south can rely upon the orthodoxy of his faith rs to
her constitutional rights. guaranteed by that IL
strument
Mr.. Douglas has been greatly misrepresented Of
late with regard to his views of territorial sover-
eighty but in Harpcr's Magazine Of this month
he gives elabora,ely the dividing line between
federal and local authority" which 4 hope YOU,
readers viii avail themselves of, it isl complct.
history of that upon which it treats Of Buchan
an and Douglas then l have but this to say tina,
III" formers administration heartily endorse. and
a the same time stand ready to defend 10 the best
my ability any attack upon the purity of Mr.
Douglas Democracy
do not put any nouns adiectves, prefixcd, o.
affixed. tony Democracy. think it needs no ii
tie to imply its nationality If all would do this
we would be what we ought-uSrrEp
OF Presidential candidates for mex, year there i.
much said and written lately. 1t may be prema
ture. One thing is certain it will be the mean.
killing politically many asprants for that gifted
office. You know the adage Many talk and
others write themselves out Of existence Wise
of Virginia. has already found his grave-.he Don
nelly letter is sad tombstone
| consider the chances of Lane of Oregon very
good think the South could unite upon him
The North will go. with the exception of New York
and Pennsylvania, perhaps. for Douglas, but the
South is doubtful even in case of compromise o,
extremity. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, has been
my choice, but he declines. Now | am content t.
urge the claims Of Mr.. Douglas at proper times il
preference to any northern man. The South i.
entitled to the nomination. but i. is found that W.
should be defeated with a candidate from that sec
tion under the present degenerate Of northern
political sentiment. However, let us have conf
dence in the wisdom and sagacity of those individ
uals who shall compose the Charleston Convention
that they will act for the best interests of tn,
party and the country aud in the meantime le
others make and unmake Presidents indiscrimi
nately.
Arrangements arc being pushed forward yer,
extensively in this city for the approaching Unitet
States Fair, which is to be holden here from tn,
twelfth to the seventeenth of this month inclusive
Over forty acres of dry green 'sward, shade tree.
&C.. are enclosed. containing a we'll beaten. half
mile ring, thousand tight rooted stalls and pen
and six hundred commodious halls. fifty by on
hundred and fifty feet.
All the railroad. centering at Chicago will carr,
visitors at half fair, and stock, &C., free Will Ar
kansas be represented
Weare having delightful weather, SO cool and in
vigorating. Business of all kind is reviving
Yours DC Gouors.