Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-10
Ihe Semi-Weekiy STANDARD.
LETTER FROM MR.. vALLANDIGHAM.
DAYTON, Ohio, May 13, 1861

DAiEoN, Ouo, may 10, 1ool.
To Nessrs Richard H. Hendrickson, NJ G. OgLesby,
John Mcclellan, William j. Wikls, Simon Gold
man. James G. Lumnsis, d. r. Peck, j. H. Hand,
John H. Jones, A. g. CLendenning, II. P. Clough
j. c. Farries, and W. ". SetteU, NiddLetOOn,
Ohio
GENTLEMEN: Yours of the 9TH inst, requesting
nv opinion upon certain points connected with what
you Justly style the present nglorious and it may
be- bloody wal" has been received. That opinion was
long since formed, and repeatedly set forth through
the press or by speech and vote in the House of
Representatives last winter, and reafirmed in
card on the 18th of last month"; few days after the
commencement of the war. But inaSmuch as nev-
er had the occasion discuss this particular ques-
tion at length, heg leave to adopt the following ad
mrahle summary Of the case in an extract from a
carefully prepared and exceedingly able speech of
the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, in the Senate of the
United States March 18th, 1861:
~ prefer such an amicable settlement to peacea-
bic disunion; and prefer it thousand times to
civil war. FIVE can adopt such amendments as will
be satisfactory to Virginia North Carolina Tennes
see, and the other border States, the plan of pacf
cation which will satisfy them will create Union
party in the Cotton States which will embrace a
large majority of the people in those States, and
bring them back of their free will and accord;
and thus restore, strengthen, and perpetuate the
glorious old Union forever. Whatever guarantees
will satisfy Maryland and the border States (the
OGaleS now III Tue OHlOHJ VIII CREATE OulOu
in the seeded States that will bring them back by
the voluntary action of their own people. You can
restore and preserve the Government in that mode
You can do it in no other.
Var is disunion. War is final, eternal separa-
ton. Hence, disguise it as you may, every Union
man in America must advocate such amendments to
the Constitution ToiU preSerCe peace and restore
the Union; While erery disuaiOHist uhether openly
or secretly plotting its destruction is the ddcOcate
of peaceful secession, Dar the Surest means Of
rendering reunion and reconstruction impossible.
HAVE TOO MUCH RESPECT FOR HIS INTELLECT TO BE-
LIEvE FOR ONE MOMENT, THAT THERE is MAN FOR
WAR WHO IS NOT DIsUNIoNIsT PER Sc. Hence 1 60
not naean If can preUent it, that the enemies of
the Union-men plotting to destroy it-shaU drag
this country into scar under the PRETExr Of protect
ing the public property and enforcing tho laps and
collecting the reUenue sohen their object is diSunOn,
and uar the means Of accomplishing cherised pur
pose.
The DIsUNIoNIsTs, therefore, are divided into two
classes the open the other secret dsunionists.
The one is in favor of peaceful secession and
cognition of independence; the other is an tdU0r OF
aoar the Surest means OF accomplishing the OBJ
ject and Of making the separation inaI and eternal
I am a Union man, and hence against srar; but if
the Union must be temporarily broken by revolu-
tlon and the establishment of de fdctO Government
by some of the States let no act be done that will
prevent restoration and future preservation. Peace
Is the only policy that can lead to that result.
But we are told, and we hear it repeated every
where, that we must fiEd out whether We have got
Government Have we Government?" is the
question: and we are told we must test that question
BY using the military power to put down all dscon
tented spirits. SIR, this question, "have Gov
ernment?" has been propounded by every tyrant
who has tried to keep his feet the necks of the
people since the world began. When the oarons
demanded Magma Charia from King John at Run
neymede, he exclaimed nave we Government? ?"
loollol i Al !.
ed barons When Charles |. attempted to collect
the ship money in violation of the Constitution of
England, and in disregard to the rights of the peo-
pie, and was resisted by them, he exclaimed, "have
we Government? We cannot treat with rebels;
put down the traitors; we must show that we have
Government" When James II. was driven from
the throne of England for tramplng on the liberties
of the people, he called for his army and exclaimed
"let US show that we have Government" When
George III. called upon his army to put down rebel
lion in America, Lord North cried out Justify mo
compromise with traitors let US demonstrate that
we have Government" When, in 184S, the peo-
pie rose upon their tyrants all over Europe, and de-
manded guarantees for their rights, every crowned
head exclaimed, "have we a Government?" and
appealed to the army to yindicate their author
ity and enforce the law.
Sir the history of the world does not fail to con-
denim the toLLy aceGkneSs, and aoickedness Of that
GoUernmeGt aohich dre1o its s0ord upon its peo
pie when they demanded guarantees for their rights.
This cry that we must have government, is merely
following the example of the besotted Bourbon, who
never learned anything by misfortune, never forgave
an injury, never forgot an afront Must we demon
strate that we have got Government, and coerce
obedience without reference to the justice of the
complaints? Sir, whenever ten million. of people
proclaim to you, with one unanimous voice, that
they apprehend their rights, their fresides, and
their family atars are in danger, it becomes a wise
government to listen to the appeal, and to remove
the apprehension. History does not record an Sr-
ample ohere any human gouernment has been strong
enough to crush ten million people into suJectiOn
when theg 6etiecea their sights and liberties were
imperisd With0ut first covering the government
itSef into despottsm, and destroying the last
tage Of freedonL"
These were the sentiments of the Democratic par
ty of the Constitutional Union party and of large
majority of the Republican presses and party only
six weeks ago. They were mine: l voted then re-
peatedly along with every Democrat and Onion man
in the House. have nothing to change much
to confirm them since especially in the secession
within the last thirty days, of Virginia, Arkansas
North Carolina and Tennessee, taking with them
four millions and half of people, immense wealth,
inexhaustibe resources five hundred thousand fight
ing men, and the graUes Of Washington and Jack
son. shall vote them again.
Waving the question of the doubtful legality of
the first proclamation, of April 15tb calling out the
militia for three months" under the act of 1895,
will yet vote to pay them, because they had no mo-
tive but supposed duty, and patriotism, to move
them; and, moreover, they will have rendered al
most the entire service required of Them before
Congress shall meet But the audacious usurpation
OF President Lincoln for which he deserves impeach.
nent in daring against the very letter of the Cons-
tuition and without the shadow of law to 'rase and
support armies" and to provide and maintain a
navy" for three or five years. by more ezecutirs pro-
edunGtion, will not to sustain or rstify-EEVER-.