Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-06-27
The DcmocraIic Parry DemornlIzcd.

The Democrats Party DcmOralizod.
The following letters from Mr.. Douglas to
his friends AT Baltimore show that he regards
the Democratic Party as demoralized if not
destroyed, by the breaking up Of the COnven-
ton;
WASHINGTON, June 22, % AN.
To DEAN RICHMOND, CHAIRMAN OF DELEGA-
TIoN, BALrlMORE The steadiRess with which
New York has sustained rue viii justify u
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.
II my enemies are determined 10 divide and
destroy the Democratic party, and, perhaps,
the country, rather than see me elected, and
Il the unity Of the party can be preserved,
and its time-honored principles maintained,
and its ascendancy psrpetuated by dropping
my name and uniting uDOn some other
Non-iRtervention and Union-loving Demo
crat beseech you, in consultation with cur
friends, to pursue that course which viii
save the party and the country, without re-
gard to my individual interests mean ell
this letter implies Consult freely and act
boldly for the right
(signed) s. A. DOUGLAS.
Private. WASHINGTON, June 20, IL P. N.
My DEAR SR: learn there is imminent
danger that the Democratic party win be de-
moralized, if not destroyed, by the breaking
up Of the Convention. Such result would
inevitably expose the country to the perils of
sectional strife between the Northern and
Southern partiEans Of Congressional inter-
vention upon the subject Of slavery in the
Territories. firmly and conseientiously
believe that there IS no safety for the
country, no hope for the preservation Of the
Union, except by q faithful and rigid ad-
herence to the doctrines of non-interVention
by Congress with slavery in the Territories.
Intervention means disunion. There is no
difference in principle between Northern and
Southern intervention. The one intervenes
for slavery, and other against slavery, but
each appeals TO the passions and prejudices
of his own section against the peace Of the
whole country and the right of selEgovern-
ment by the people OF the Territories; hence
the doctrine of non-intervention must be
maintained at all hazards; but while can
never sacrifice the principle, even to attain
the Presidency, will cheerfully and joyfully
sacrifice myself to maintain the principle
IT, therefore, you and my other friends, who
have stood by me with such heroic frmness
st Charleston and Baltimore, shall be of the
opinion that the principle can be preserved,
and the unity and ascendency of the Demo-
cratic party maintained, and the country
saved from the perils of Northern abolition
ism and Southern disunion, by Withdrawing
my name and uniting upon some other Nom
Intervention, Union-loving Democrat, be-
seech you to pursue that course. Do not
understand me as wishing to dictate to my
friends have implicit confidence in your
and their patriotism, Judgment and discre-
ton. Whatever you may do in the premises
viii meet my hearty approval; but conjure
you to act with an eye single to the safety
and welfare Of the country, and without the
slightest regard TO individual interests or ag-
grandizement. Ny interests will be best
promoted, and my ambition gratifed and
motives vindicated, by that course on the
part of my friends which will be the most
efectual in saving the country from being
ruled or ruined by sectional party. The
action Of the Charleston Convention, in sus-
tanning me by so large n majority on the
platform, and designating me as the first
choice of the party for the Presidency, is all
the personal triumph desire. This letter
is prompted by the same motives which in
duced my dispatch four years ago, withdraw
ing my name from the Cincinnati Conven-
ton. With this knowledge of my opinions
and wishes, you and other friends must act
upon your own conviction of duty.
Very truly your friend,
TSigned. S. A. DOUGLAS.
To Hon. VIM. A. Richardson, Baltimore.
All knowledge of the first letter WAS with
held by Mr.. Richardson, but the second leaked
out on the day of its arrival, but was denied,
with great indignation and profanity, by Mr.
Richardson, who, with others of Mr. DIS
chief fuglemen, insisted on nominating the
Little Giant in spite of himself