The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1860-07-07
Patriotic Letters From Mr.. Douglas.
I1-IAx Iia.,1

The following characteristic and patri.
otic letters from Judge Douglas were read
in the Baltimore convention on Saturday
morning:
To DEAN RICHMOND. Chairman ot' Dslega-
ton, Bultimore:
The steadncss with which New York
has sustained me, will justify u word OF
counsel. The safety of the cause is the
paramount duty of every delegate Tie
unity OF the party and the maintenance
of its principles inviolate, are more impor-
tant that the elevation or defeat Of any III
dividual If my enemies are determined
to divide and destroy the democratic party,
and perhaps the country, rather than see
me elected; and if the unity of the party
can be preserved, and its t;me-honored
principles maintained and its ascendancy
perpetuated, by dropping my name and
uniting upon some other reliable non-inter-
ventiou, union loving democrat, beseech
you, in consultation with our friends, to
pursue that course which will save the
party and the country, without regard to
my personal interests. ! mean all this let
ter implies. Consult freely and act boldly
for the right.
S 4. DOUGLAS.
WAsuISGToS, II r NJ, June Goth
(Private)
Ny Dear Sir: learn there is ininent
danger that the democratic party will be
dcmora!ized If not destroyed by the break
ing up of the convention. Such Il result
would inevitably expose the country to the
perils of sectional strife, between the
Northern and Southern partisAns af IL
grcssional Intervention upon the sub &C. Of
slavery in the Territories
firmly and conclentiously believe. that
there Is no safety for the countrv-no
hope for the preservation of tn. | Mon
except by faithful and rigid adherence II
the doctrine os non-int.rveution by Con
grcss with slavery III the Territories In
teryention means disuuion There is no
difference in principles between Northern
and Southern Intervention the one inter
f,-reS f5,' slavery and the other agI,ast sla
very. bu; each appeals TO the passions and
prejudice, OF hi> own section, against the
peace Of the whole country. and the right
Of self government by the people oi Terrific
ries Hence the doctrine Of uoa-interven.
ton must be maintained at al hazards
But willie can never sacraiic- the princi-
pie even To attain the Presidency, | WI!
chcer;ully and Ioyiu.ly sacTaticr myself to
maintain the principle II. therefore, You
and my other friend, who have stood by
me with such heroic firmues> Al Charleston
and Baltimore. shall oe Ot the opinion that
the pr..c.pir can lee preserved, and the
UNITY aud asCend-nCy Dt the DcmOcrrtIc
PARTY maintained. and the county saved
from the hands of Northern ahriit!Onisrn
and Southern disuniOn. by withdrawing :
nv name blending upon some other non
= 4.
-ire that YOU pursue that course. Do not
understand me a. wishing 10 dictate my
friends ! have implicit confidence in
their aud Your patriotism. judi -msnt and
discretion Whatever YOU ma, do in the
premises will meet with my hearty ap
proval bat coniure you To act with an
EYE ,iu.i, To the safety and welfare Of tho
country ana without the slightest regard
to NV individual interests or acrandize
mcnt Nv interests will be best promoted
and NV ambition grataticd and lno,iv es ia
dicated by that course on the part of my
friends, which will be most etfrctual in sa
wing the soiniry from being ruled or ruined
by sectional party. The national Demo
cr:,ts of the Charleston convention III sus
tanning me by so large majority on TIA.
platform. and designating me the first
choice of the party for the Presidency. i
all the personal triumph | desire. Thi-
letter is prompted BY the same motives
which induced my di,parch four years 20
withdraw inc my nane from the CIucin
natti convention, With this knowied.,
oi INV opinions and wishes. YOU and uthel
f friends must az; upon Your own conyic
tious o. duty.
Very truly your friend,
: y DoUGLAs-
I To Hon Wn i Richardson. Baltimore