The Van Buren press., 1861-02-22
Douglas for the Union.


The following letter is taken from the
Memphis appeal. and is contradiction Of
the false reports concerning the sentiments
of Mr.. Douglas in regard to the Union of
the States. 1t is noble and forcible ap-
peal to all lovers of their country, and
should be read by all who doubt the mag
nanimity and integrity Of Senator Douglas.
Such sentiments rs those expressed in the
letter we quote below, alone can emanate
from that man who traly loves his country
and who amid darkness and gloom, when
tho golden-winged angel of hope seemed
aedged for her eternal fight. stands forth
pure and patriotic, and in whose bosom
still burns brighter and still brighter that
fame of patriotism which shall never be
extinguished until hope. godlike hope, shall
have forever forsaken his heart:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.
To The EDIToRs OF THE MEMPHIS APPEAL:
Il have this moment read with amaze
ment an editorial in your paper of the Seth
uit.S III Ou oSSuiiC tuoI OLA i1
voring the immediate withdrawal of the re
naming States from the confederacy. as a
peace measure, to avert the hcrrors of civil
war, and with the view of reconstruction
on q constitutional basis 1 implore you
by all those kind relations which have so
long existed between us. and which still
cherish with SO much pleasure and graft
tude, to do me the justice promptly to cor
rect the unaccountable error into which you
have been led. In regard to secession.
whether viewed as government theory or
as a matter of political expediency. l have
never had but one opinion, nor uttered but
one language-that Of unqualified opposi
ton. Nothing can be SO fatal to the peace
of the country, SO destructive Of the Union.
and Of all hopes of reconstruction, as the
secession of Tennessee and the border States
under existing circumstances. YOu must
remem ber that there are disunionists among
the party-leaders at the North, as well as at
the South-men whose hostility to slavery
is stronger than their fidelity to the consti-
tuition. and who believe that the disruption
Of the Union would draw after it as an in
|evitable consequence. civil war, servile in
|surrection. and. finally, the utter extermin-
alton of slavery in all the Southern States.
They are bold, daring, determined men ;
and. believing as they do, that the Consti
tuition of the United States is the great
bulwark Of slavery on this continent. and
that the disruption of the American Union
involves the inevitable destruction of slavery
and is an indispensable necessity to the
attainment of that end. they are determin-
ed to accomplish their paramount object by
any means within their power.
For these reasons, the northern disunion-
lists, like the disunionists of the South, are
violently opposed to all compromises or con-
stitutiOnal amendments, or efforts at con-
ciliation, whereby peace should be restored
and the Union preserved. They are striv-
ing to break up the Union, under the pre-
tence of unbounded devotion to it. They
are struggling to overthrow the constitution
while protesting undying attachment to it,
and willingness to make any sacrifice to
maintain it. They are trying TO plunge the
country into civil war as the surest means oi
destroying the Union, upon the plea of entor-
cling The laws and protecting the public prop
ss% %ses6S 9s The P at
issue may be satisfactorily settled. and keep
up the irritation, SO as to induce the border
States to follow the cotton States. they will
feel certain of the accomplishment Of their
ultimate designs.
Nothing will crafty them so mach or
contribute SO effectually to their success as
the secession of Tennessee and the border
States. Every State that withdraws from
the Union increases the relative power of
northern abolitionists to defeat a satsfac-
tory adjustment, and to bring on a war
which, sooner or later, must end in final
separation and recognition, Of the indepen-
dence of the two contending sections. If,
on the contrary, Tennessee. North Caroli-
na, and the border states will remain in the
Union, and will unite with the conservative
Union loving men of all parties in the
North in the adoption OF such comprom-
ise as will be alike honorable, safe and Just
to the people of all the States, peace and
fraternal feeling will soon return and the
cotton States come back, and the Union be
rendered perpetual.
Pardon the repetition. but it cannot lie
too strongly impressed upon all who love
country, that secession and war will be the
destruction not only of the present Union,
but will blast all hopes of reconstruction
upon q constitutional basis | :Iust YOU
will do me the justice to publish this note
In your next issue.
l am. very truly, your friend.
s. A. DoUCIIs