The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-03
Speech of Senator Douglas.
lie STANDS by THE GOVERNMENT AND vISDIcArEs
GENERAL SCOTT.

Senator Douglas arrived at Bellair, Mary
land, on the Goth instant, on his way west
from Washington. Ho remained in that
place one day. in consequence ofa railroad
detention, and was called out for speech
In tho course Of his remarks he expressed his
firm determination to uphold the government,
and took occasion to vindicato General Scott
from the aspersions Of his enemies.
After declaring that tho contest involves
no question Of union or disunion, hut aques.
ton of order and tbs stability Of the govern.
mcnt, ho said:
.Our whole social system is threatened
with destruction and with disruption. l
cannot now 60 into discussion OF these ques.
tions. have almost exhausted strength and
voice, and life, in the last two years, in my
efforts to point out the dangers upon which
VIC were rushing. And we have no time
now to stop to inquire as to the cause of
these mischiels, nor rs to the merits or foibles
of sects or parties. Unite as band Of brothers
and rescue your government and its capital
and your country from the enemy who have
been the authors Of your calamity. Ire.
mcndous cheers. and cries Of We will.
That's what we are going to do My
friends. should not have been delighted at
meeting the same number Of people, nor even
ten times the number, animated by the pat.
riotism that find in all Of you, at scarcely
any other place as on the very spot where !
am now standing, upon the borders of this
beautiful river separating the state Of Virgin.
Ia from the state Of Ohio; and yet, instead OF
being barrier II Is one Of those great arteries
that infuses its life and yigor into both sides
and binds you together in one indissolublc
system. This great valley must never be di.
yided. ['Never, never. The Almighty has
30 arranged the mountain and the plain, and
the water-courses, as to show that this valley
in oil time shall remain one and indissoluble.
Let no man attempt to sunder what Divine
Providence has rendered invisible. ['Amen,
and cheers The nerves Of this great valley
centre in unity. We are bound to have the
right of travel. of intercourse, Of transit, free
10 all the ports Of the Atlantic, and to all
the ports Of the Pacific and the Gulfof MeIi.
co, without having custom-houses, or pass
ports, or taxsatheres, or bayones to impede
us.
Subsequently Mr.. Douglas appeared on
the balcony Of his hotel and said:
Gentlemen: | have been requested by 10
many different one to make statement In
response to the inquiries that are propounded
to me, that do 30 rs matter OF justice to
an eminent patriot. have been asked
whether there il any truth in the ruinor that
General Scott was about to retire from the
American army. 1t is almost profanity to
ask that question. 'Good,' 'Good, and
cheers for General Scott. ! saw him only
last Saturday. lie was at his dcsk, pen In
hand, writing his orders for the defence and
safety OF tho American capital. [Cheers.
Walking down tho street, met distinguished
gentleman. q member Of the Virginia Con-
yention, whom / know personally. and had q
few minutes conversation with him. lie told
me be had just had an interview. with Lieu
tenant General Scott; that he was the chair
man Of the committee appointed by the Vir-
ginia Convention to wait upon General Scott
and tender him the command Of the forces of
Virginia in this struggle. General Scott TO
ceiyed him kindly, listened to him patiently
and then said to him: Il have served my coun'
try under the flag ofthe Union for more than
fifty years, and as long as God permits me to
live | will defend that Gag with my sword,
even II my own native state assails IT,
Tremendous applause and three more cheers
for General Scott.l do not pretend that !
am precisely accurate in the language used,
but know am in the idea, and nave
given the langusgeas nearly los could Ie-
peat II. have felt il due to him and to the
country 70 make this statement, In view OF
the reports that have been circulated and the
repeated inquiries made Of me since my
arrival here to-day