The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1860-02-15
ALEXANDRIA, LA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY Is, 1860

Letter from Niles Taylort to Louis
Bush.
s WAsH1Ss1os, Jan. 10th, 1860.
Hon. Losis Bush lid
! MYDsAaSIn:: a copy ofcesaiin proposed Joint
Resolutions relative to our Federal Relations =
reached me to-day, which we're accompanied with
a note from Taylor Beatty, requesting me, in your
name, to give my views to you on them. This
now do with pleasure, and with, the most perfect
sfrankness.
4 In my opinion, it would be unwIse and improper
for US to have any action Of the kind contemplated
by those who drew up theses Resolutonsn at the
present session of the Legislature; and am per-
suaded that all who, like myself, desire the preser
vationof the Union, if it can be preserved without
injury to our interests, and withhonor 10 ourselves
will concur with ME in this opinion, ifthey viii
fairly consider the present posture Of our affairs
It is certain that the slavery question has at last
reached crisis and tina Il must be put to an end
to- that the national Of these States
must be dissolved ThisI think, will admit Of no
dispute any where ii the South at this time. And
then the question necessarily arises in the minds
Of all those who would ayoidEa dissolution Of the
Union--How;is the shyery question to be put an
end to-? To me it seems clear thatit can beput
an end TO only in one way; and that il, By putting
down the Northern agitators Of the question, in
their respective States. Remonstrances addressed
to them BY the South will be ofno avail Guaran-
tees extorted from them will be productive Of; no
advantage. The enemies OF the South, and Of
Southern institutions, must be put down BY their
fellow-citzens Of the Northern States in the ap.
proaching elections, Or the South must withdraw
from the existing Union, and establish 8 new Gov.
eminent Tor herself.
But it may be asked, if Ibelieve that these alter,
natives are now Immediately before us. Why not,
them prepare at once for the separation which be-
comes inevitable if our Northern enemies over
come our friends in the approaching contest To
this would reply, that believe any steps taken
BY US intfat direction, at this time NoliSsbe pre-
judicial to our Northern friends in that and
would greatly diminish their chances Of Success in
1T and that, in addition to this, there is no real
necessity for any action Of the kind nov, because
there will be ample time for us to act whenth ne.
cessity Of separation is made manifest by the de.
feat -four Northern triendssin November next
Tho situation Of these friends has been for years
most critical and trying; and, notwithstanding
what has been said BY some Of our own zealots in
their disparagement, every high-minded man must
admit that We have been for years, and are now,
under the highest obligation to them, and thatswe
esthem aSdebt'of gratitude which it will rot be
easy for us to repay. They have withstoodrsgain
and again, the united assaults Of the fanatics and
demagogues who have been SO long warning upon
the Constitution, and through it upon the rights Of
the South; and now, when to all human appre.
hension the final conflict between them and fanati
cisln and demagoguery is about Tough, must
confess, that !, for one, am unwilling to do any
thing unnecessary, which might discourage them
or give an advantage to their enemies.
have given the most careful attention to the
present position fparties aud hare reflected deep
i and ansiously upon what tho rapidly approach.
ing future is to bring us and tell you now, with
all frankness, that see no well founded hope for
the preservation Of the existing Union with honor
-. = ~
to ourselves, but in the candidacy OF Stephen A.
Douglas for the Presidency. This may seem strange
to you, but it is nevertheless true. Nj. Douglas
entertains various opinions vhch are condenned
throughout the South. Some Of them in which I
can never, under any circumstances, concur; and
yet believe thathe il the man, of all others, that
the interests Of the South, and of the whole nation
now require should be the candidate for the Pre-
sidency. Myreasons for this belief are these:
The division in sentiment between the North and
South has sidened from day TO day until the people
of the two sections seem TO constitute two hostile
nations. The unfriendly action Of many Of the
Northern States with respect to the South through
their legislatures their executives, and their judi
csry, has been Of such character for years. that
lit bad been INDUCED in by one Independent
membergof the great family ofanatons towards a
Ineishboring State, it would hare afforded just
ground for meiciless, devastating, destructive
war. # rhis seeming hostility between the North.
ern and Southern States Il, in point Of fact real it
is hardly necessary to say that they can no longer
! X IL .fs Il = = !
remain members Of the same confederation The
elections in the Northern States during the year
will necessarily be decisive ~ to this fact for the
question upon it is now for the first time distinct
" before the people, and il mustbe determined by
them If the principles maintained by the great
national Democratic party are yindicated by the