The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-09-09
How Douglas is Working.

How Douglas is Working.
AS the Little Giant" of Illinois seems to have
numerous admirers in this region, the letter below
in relation to some of his works to the
ination at Charleston, is not without interest,"
We find 1t in the shape of Washington letter to
New York paper, written in the latter part Of
August 1t reads;
The Democracy of whom Douglas is leader
held up their heads in holy horror ut Know Moth
I ingism. They looked upon secret political meet
ings fraught with the worst of evils, and cal
culatcd to destroy the liberties of our glorious
public. IF it was wrong in body of men to meet
in secret and swear to exert themselves in cncav-
oring to accomplish the triumph of n set Of prin-
ciplcs which they sincerely thought conducive to
the best interests of the country, how much worse
is il to meet in the same way to advance the claims
of any man to the proud place of President of
these United Staicsy And what will the Dcmocra-
cy say when tell them. and tell them truly, that
Stephen A. Douglas has established in nearly eve
ry State of the Union secret organizations, which
hold their regular stated meetings, that they may
be enabled by thorough organization, management
and trickcry at the primary elections of the Dem
ocratic party. to elect enough delegates to Charles
k(p to nofiiinatc him for PRESIDENT. This is
Srhe headquarters of this organization is mt Wash
ington, ana its prime dircctoris thc"Litle Giant"
lie has several secretaries here to aid him in his
work of correspondence with the chiefs of his or
ganization. Among these secretaries, amanu-
cnscs. is the once celebrated "avant courier of Tr,-
man Smith," and Forncys stenographic amanten-
sis, who, you will remember, he loaned Douglas to
accompany him in his late Illinois campaign, and
who wrote the Slidcll fiction.
OF my own knowledge one of these organiza-
tions has for some time existed in Maryland They
hold their regular meetings in every ward in the
city of Baltimore and in every election district in
the State where there half dozen who are
willing to meet for the common object. In Balfi-
more city they are called "rotation Democrats"
and under this head publish the calls for their
meetings, to which none are admitted except plcdg-
cd Douglas men. In the counties they are called
together by private notices and hcralds, who ride
round the country to serve them.
| may us well here relate good joke told of an
enthusiastic Douglas man, named GOrman, of
Howard county, Md. short time since con-
vcrtcd Jew announced to preach in the neigh
borhood in which German lives; being an eloquent
man, all in the country round went to hear the
convert hold forth. and nothing would do but
German must go too. German not being used to
preaching, soon fell asleep; the preacher waXcd
warm, and abount the middle of his discourse, in
loud tones discussed the great wisdom of God-
He said-"Thc greatest king. the wiscst potentatc
of earth was compelled to call around him his
privy council, cabinet of advisers. Not
with God--he was his own adviser Mr.. Bnchan-
an. our President, had his Cabnet-Cass, Cobb,
Holt, Floyd, Black and Touccy, were members
thereof" At this stage of the sermon Gorinan
was aroused from his slumbcrs by hearing those
familiar names. and thinking the minister was
discussing the Presidential question, arose in his
seat, and said :-"Sce here, Mr Preacher, before
you go any farther want to know whether Doug
las is involved in this natter" Being satisfied
that the Little Giant was in no way involved,
he resumed his seat and slept the balance of the
sermon out.
~.
in secret and resorng to every means to select the
delegates to the next Fourth of. March Conven-
ton. Their labors chiefly confined to the
counties where they preach up harmony and con-
ciliation, in order to hoodwnk the administration
Democrats.
In your own New York there is not city a
town of any size where there is not Douglas
club. noticed acall in n Rochester paper, n day
or two since, for the friends Of Douglas to meet in
ward meetings. This call was headed by IL wood
cut of two drawn swords, the scubbnrd being
thrown away.
That new secret order, "Thc Spartan League"
which has recently sprang up in the West and
Southwest, is portion of the Douglas organiza-
ton. am assured of the correctness of this as
sertion by gentleman of the first rcspectabity,
who says he knows all about it,
In addition to this secret organization, Douglas
and his friends endeavoring to control large
portion of tile press of the country. Douglas
owns the Times ut Chicago, placed Banks at the
head Of the Enquirer at Cincinnati, bought.pp the
Washington States n year ago by bidding higher
than the administration, and is about to get of
his followers to establish daily afternoon paper
at Baltimore
In this city there is not politician of any i'll
huence or ability, old or young, with whom Doug
las has not attempted to make fair weather. He
invites all such to his house to take glass of
wine with him or drivcwith him in his open car
riagc.
The Iinos Senator is taking the most dcspcr-
ate tcchances. Sink swim. live die, he is bound
heard Of efforts do not secure him the nomination
at Charleston, he will trump up some excuse and
be n candidate any how. Douglas has impaired
bis fortune and the reckless politicians, and po-
liiical blacklegs by whom he is surrounded having
cast their all upon the hazard of the die, can wait
no longer; they say Douglas must win in 1860 to
make them whole.