Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-07-26
sensible Talk From mr.. Douglas Biog-



raPher.
Below we give some extracts from an ed
itorial article in the Chicago Post, conduct
cd by John w. Sheahan, for many years
the confidential friend of Mr.. Douglas, his
biographcr and long the editor of the Chi
cago Times, his home organ. Probably no
man occupied a closer relation of friendship
to Mr.. Douglas than he. The extracts here
given aro commended to the consideration
of those Democratic leaders who are striy-
ing TO divide the people of the North on
the question of supporting the ndministrN'
tion in its efforts to put down the rebellion
Referring to the object that the President
exceeded his authority in defending the
Union, Mr. Sheahan says:
Mr.. Lincoln did exceed hisauthorty when he
called for troops, when he ventured large ex-
penditures, when he blockaded the ports, and
when he made armies and brigades, in number
and power, such as had never before been known
in this land. We say he did do all this and
what of t2 1t was unconstitutional for him tC
do this without the authority of Congress. His
act was unconstitutional and illegal But what
ofit2 Was it an act which Congress already
summoned, might not legalize and make consti-
tutional7 Was Mr.. Lincoln to stand still and
see the house burn over his head, without an
effort to save it. because he had not the previous
permission of an absent neighbor to draw water
from his well2 Was Mr. Lincoln to allow the
rebels to take Washington city, to burn the Fed
eral Capital and exile the Government Dc
these men who call upon the democracy to mari
Al.
stitutional acts, wish the Democracy to under
stand that it was criminal in Mr.. Lincoln 10 de
fcTsd the Capital by an unconstitutional Icpy o
Troops! If they do not mean that, then let thu
: blatant damagogues close their lips, and spare
the printers ink. Unless these men think tha
: Mr.. Lincoln should have permitted the rebels tc
rise in all parts of the country and Sctzo upon IN,
public PROPERTY seize the goUernB,c1a and dictdt
torms Of Submission to the north, then let then
! keep silent upon the subject Of unconshtutiona
J acts-acts made necessary TO proserUe the govern
mc@ Had Mr.. Lincoln not done what he ha
: done, there would have been no government a
this time, unless Mr.. Lincoln flying before tn
rebel hosts, seeking for a Congress to pass a
! act allowing him to enroll company of militi
: might be called government -ATo these me
SORRY that the Government eUon 6y a resort to an
constitutional measures sdUed the nation from III
= rebel trdtorsY Are they sorry that Cairo wa
garrisoned by troops unconstitutionally mus
5 Constitution should have been observed, eve
= if by doing so Pillow had been able to overru
Illinois, and made his head quarters in the Stat
c house at Springfield?
But the acts of Mr. Lincoln no longer un
constitutional. Congress has already lcgalize
. the acts, and they are now as constitutional as
: they had been originally authorized by Congress
4 We look upon these men who complain of Ii
y President, with less respect than upon the rel
els in arms. The latter are open in their treas
on, and have the honesty to stake their lives W
Il on the issue. The former skulk at home afrai
+ to speak out in denuncation of the war, and y,
Il cowardly stab the man they are afraid to NEE
n This war is one for the preservation Of the cor
a stitution. So far, the war has been conducte
e for that purpose, and with that single object
X When the Government shall prove false to il
trust, and shall direct the war for purposes fol
: eign to its original design then, but not till the
'r will the Democracy cry "stop thief" Whe
= that time comes voice from petty semi-seces
II sion journals will be needed to arrest both arm
II and government The troops themselves Wi
d ground their arms. No power in the land wi
: compel them to prostitute the flag oftheir coun
}, try for uniustifable purposes Until that tim
d comes, and we hope it is far distant, the DemoC
= racy will render cheerful and patriotic suppol
: to the flag of their country. In the history
the past they have been loyal, and they are nc
to be seduced at this day into the camp of treas
: on and rebellion