Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-07-05
n Oblc Letters from Douglas 10
His Friends ian Baltimore.


The telegraph has mentioned rumors of
the contents of certain dispatches sent by
Stephen A. Douglas to his friends in the
Baltimore Convention in reference to his
candidacy. The able correspondent of
the Cincinnati Enquirer furnishes his let
ters complete to that paper and we APP
pend them, with the request that they may
be read by every Democrat. They are
characteristic of the generous and patri-
otic man, the disinterested but firm and
courageous statesman. He asked moth
ing for himself but for his principles and
the ancient principles Of the Democratic
party he demanded recognition. These
letters give an insight into that lofty char
acter which even the bitterest opponents
of Stephen A. Douglas admire in him.
WASHINGTON, June 22-91 A. M.
To DEAN RcHMoND, CHAIRMAN OF DEL
EGATIoN, BALTIMORE: The steadiness with
which New York has sustained me will
justify word Of counsel. The safety of
the cause is the paramount duty of every
Democrat. The unity Of the party and
the maintenance Of its principles inviolate
are more important than the election or
defeat of any individual. If my enemies
are determined to divide and destroy the
Democratic party, and, perhaps, the coun-
try, rather than see me elected, and if the
unity of the party can be preserved, and
its time honored principles maintained,
and its ascendency perpetuated by drop
ping my name, and uniting upon some
reliable Nom Intervention and Union.lov-
ing Democrat, beseech you, in consul
tation with our friends, to pursue that
course which will save the party and the
country, without regard to my individu-
al interests. mean all this letter i'm
plies. Consult freely and act boldly for
the right. (Signed) S. A. DOUGLAS.
Private. WASHINGTON, June POLL p M
My dear Sir! | learn there is immin-
cnt danger that the Democratic party will
be demoralized, if not destroyed, by the
breaking up of the Convention. Such a
result would inevitably expose the coun-
try to the perils of sectional strife between
the Northern and Southern partizans of
Congressional Intervention upon the sub
ject of slavery in the territories. | firm
ly and consciontiously believe that there
is no safety for the Union, except by a
faithful and rigid adherence to the doc
trinos of nonintervention by Congress
with slavery in the Territories. Interven-
ton means disunion There is no differ
ence in principle between Northern and
Southern intervention. The one inter
venes for slavery, and the other against
slavery, but each appeals to the passion
and prejudices of his own section against
the peace of the whole country and the
right of self government by the people of
the Territories; hence the doctrine of nom
Intervention must be maintained at all
hazards; but while | can never sacrifice
the principle, even to attain the Presiden-
cy, | will cheerfully and ioyfully sacrifice
myself to maintain the principle. Ifthere-
fore, you and my other friends who have
stood by me with such heroic frmness
at Charleston and Baltimore, shall be OF
opinion that the principle can be preserv-
ed, and the unity and ascendency of the
Democratic party maintained, and the
country saved from the perils of North,
,
by Withdrawing my name and uniting up,
on some other non-intervention, Union
loving Democrat, | beseach you to pur-
sue that course. DO not understand me
as wishing to dictate to my friends.
have implicit confidence in your and theil
patriotism, Judgment and discretion
Whatever you may do in the premises
will meet my hearty approval; but | con.
jure you to act with an eye single to the
safety and welfare of this country; and
without the slightest regard to individu
al interests or aggrandizement. My in
tcrests will be best promoted and my
ambition gratilied and motives vindicated
by that course on the part of M friends
which will be most efIcctual in saving th'
country from being ruled or ruined by
sectional party. The action the Charles
ton Convention, in sustaining me by Sc
large majority on the platform and de
signing me as the first chosen of the par
ty for the Presidency, is all the persona
triumph desire. This letter is promot
ed by the same motives which induced
my dispatch four years ago, withdraw
! ing my name from the Cincinnati Con
vcntion, With this knowledge of my
opinions and wishes, You and your friends
must act upon your own convictions o
duty, Very truly your friend,
Signed as. a. DOUGLAS"
To Hon. VIM. A. Richardson, Baltimore.
A Yankee Erick.