The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-11-28
The Crisis Of the Union.
Patriotic and Interesting Letter from
) s "a Senator Douglas. aEE7s
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. IL, 1860.
CORRESPONDENCE.

q .ztsk 81 NEW OhLEAHs, NoV.s 1 a, iooO'9
Hon. STEPHEN A. DoUGLAs-Sir: We,
the undersigned, citizens of New Orleans,
Irrespective of party, being dssirous of
hearing your views on the present condi-
tion of the affairs of our country, would
earnestly request you to designate time
when it would be agreeable to you to ad.
dress your fellow-citizens: ,pss
This note was signed by over one hun
dred of the most influential c.tize ns of the
city of New Orleans The following is
Judge Douglas reply .pas = =
Gentlsmsn: Your request to address
the citizens of New Orleans "on the pres
snt condition of the affairs of our coun-
tryY has just been placed in my hands.
Aninvitation SO numerously signed by
the most eminent business men Of this
great commercial city implies a compli-
ment which duly appreciate, and am ex-
ceedingly reluctant to decline. sc 3:
These are not the times for patriotic
men to affect indifference, or to degener.
ate into espondsncy,s or to rush madly
into violent and extreme measures. Just
in proportion as our common country is
environed. with peril, it becomes the i'm
perative duty Of every patriot in the land
to increase his efforts and exert his, ut
most powers and energies to rescue the
Republic from the disasters which threaten
its integrity. -
No man in America regrets the elsc-
'tion of Mr.. Lincoln more than l do; none
made more strenuous exertions to defsat
him; none differ with him more radically
and irreconcilably upon all the great issues
involved in the contest. No man living
is prepared to resist, by ell the legitimate
means sanctioned by the Constitution and
laws of our country, the aggressive policy
which he and his party are understood to
represent Bot while 1 say this, / am
bound, as good citizen and law abiding
man, to declare my conscientious convic-
tion that the mere election of any man
tosthei Presidency by the American peo-
pie, in accordance with the Constitution
and laws, does not, of. itself, furnish any
Just cause or reasonable ground for dis
solving the Federal Union. eos l5 %
It is not pretended, as far as am in
formed, that any provision of the Consd-
tuition has been violated in the recent cleo
ton, No act has been done which i'm
pairs or destroys the constitutional rights
of any State or citizen. Nothing has
yet occurred to release any citizen from
his oath of fidelity to the Constitution Of
the United States, which is the supreme
laO of every State and Of every citizen
But while it is conceded that no act. has
yet been denc which impairs the right OIL
endangers the peace and safety of any
portion of our country, it is apprehendec
that the election of Mr.. Lincoln carries
With il the assurance that the policy and
principles sof the party by which he wal
elected will prevail, and be carried into
practical effect in every department. of tht
Federal Governnent, and thereby sUil
sndanger the peace and safety of thu
slaYehoiding States Is the apprehen
sion well founded? Do the results of tn,
recent election Justify this apprehension,
The President canu do nothing excep
whst the law authorizes. d His duty is tt
see the laws faithfully executed. If h,
fails to perform his duty he will soon fine
himself a prisoner before the High Cour
of Impeachment. Fortunately that tri
bunal is soconstiipted as to command tht
eon6dsnce of the people of the entir,
/. South as well as Of the conservative mel
Of the North We have this security
that the erfstsng laws will be faithful,
executed, ,sg.i.rs. : o''o''
/ have yet to learn that the people Q
the South complain of the acts of Con
gress no.o ON the statute book, upon til,
subject of slavery, as applicable to thu
States or the Territories, or to the Dis
tsict Of Columbia. These laws we're ep