Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1861-06-11
The Last Speech Of the Late Senator
Douglas.

The following is the last public speech
of Judge Douglas. 1t was delivered
on the lst day of May. 1861, at NJ
tional Hall, in the city of Chicago:
III. Chairn2aH:-I thank you for
the kind terms in which YOU have been
pleased to welcome me | thank the
Committee. and | thank the ciuzens of
Chicago for this grand and imposing
reception But beg You to believe
that | do not dc you the injustice to CON
side this ovation personal one; but
rather that | rejoice IN the knowledge
that 1t is an expression of your devotion
to the Constitution and laws of our
country. | will not conceal my gratifi-
cation at the incontrovertlbIe testimony
which this large audience presents, that
uhltever differences of opinion mayhave
heretofore divided Us, the conviction
now exists in your minds that in time
of danger my loyalty to my country
may be relied uron. That the danger
IS imminent, none can conceal from
themselves, no matter how they may
desire 10 avert the evil; but, if war mus
be-If the havOnet must crush social
order and liberty. then. before God,
feel my conscience clear. [ have slrug-
gled IS long as there was hope, and
even after hope had almost disappeared,
for a eaceful solution of tie trouble.
| have not only rendered full salisfac-
ion and ample Justice, but have prof
fered cOnCItlatlon even to the extent of
magnannity and generosity. The re-
turn which we receive IS war on our
government, the march of armIes on
our capital. the obstruction of our trade,
the issue of letters of marque authoriz-
INC IaWIecs pirates to prey on our com
merCe-In short. concerted movement
to blot the United States from the map
of the world. The simple question Is,
whether we are 10 maintain the govern
men;, or allow it 10 be stricken out Of
existence by those who no longer re
cognize lis authority and seek only to
destroy 1t.
What excuse can the disunionists
give for breaking up the best govern
ment the sun ever shed It's light upon
They are dissatisfied with the result
Of the last Presidential election. Were
never beaten before? Are we to tole
rate the idea that the defeated parry
IS TO resort to the sword understand
II TO be Fundamental principle that the
voice Of the people must command obe-
III. ,,b. 4
ton of 4 party candidate their rights
are not safe. What evidence have we
of il? | defy any man to show fact
that will suhSlantlate it, What one act
has been comired which they can com
plain of So far as the rights of the
South are concerned the rights of
slaveholders-no acl has been comitted
of which they can complain. There
has never been the day from the hour
of Nashiugtous inauguration down to
TINS moment, when the rights of the
South have stood firmtr under the laws
of the laud There never was the
time when they had not quite as good
cause for dIsunIou as now. What spe-
ctic grievance can they assign from
tlt days Of Washington to this moment?
II they refer 10 the territorial question,
II IS an extraordinary fact that there IS
now no act on our statute books limit
ing slavery IN any manner If to the
enforcement OF the laws. the only COM
plant IS that too much has been done
that we have been to eager to en-
force the fugitive slave law. Then |
ask what excuse has the South for the
scheme which ;hey have concocted to
wind up the Union? The slavery
question Is a mere excuse The eIec-
ton OF Lincoln IS bat pretext The
present secession movement IS the re-
suit of an enormous conspiracy which
was matured year ago. This conSpi-
racy was framed by the leaders OF the
secession movement twelve months ago.
and they have used every means 10 urge
1t on. They have caused a man 10 DC
elected by sectional vote. to demon
strate that the Union was divided: and
when the history OF the country, from
the time Of the Lecomp.on Constitution
70 the date OF LincoIn'S election. Is
written, II viii appear that a scheme
was maturing meantime which was f1r
no end except TO break Up the Union.
They desired 10 break II up, and they
nsed the slavery question as a means.
ney desired 10 create purely sec
tlOQal vote IN dan0pSfr,ta rh.t tho ,,,,