The weekly Butte record., 1861-06-22
Letter from Senator Douglas.

u
CHICAGO, May 10, 1861.
Ny DEAR SIR: Being deprived of the use
of my arms for the present by a severe attack
of rheumatism, am compelled to avail nv.
self of the services of an amanuensiS in reply
to your two letters.
1t seems that some of my friends are unable
to comprehend the difference between argu.
ments used in favor Of an equitable compromise
with the hope of averting the horrors of war,
and those urged in support of the Government
and flag of our country, when war is being
waged against the United States with the
avowed purpose of producing permanent dis
ruption of the Union and total destruction OF
its Government
All hopes of compromise with the Cotton
States was abandoned when they assumed the
position that the separation of the Union was
complete and final, and that they would never
consent to a reconstruction in any contingency
not even if we would furnish them with a
blank sheet of paper and permit them to in
scribe their own terms.
Still the hope was cherished that reasonable
and satisfactory terms of adjustment could be
agreed upon with Tennessee, North Carolina
and the Border States and that whatever
terms would prove satisfactory to these loyal
States would create Union party in the Cot
ton State which would prove powerful enough
at the ballot box to destroy the Revolutionary
Government, and bring those States back into
the Union by the voice of their own people
This hope was cheriched by Union men North
and South, and was never abandoned until ac-
tual war was levied at Charleston, and the
authoritative announcement made by the Rev.
olutionary Government at Montgomery, that
the Secession flag should be planted upon the
walls of the Capital at Washington, and a
proclamation issued inviting the pirates of the
world to prey upon the commerce of the
United States.
These startling facts, taken in connection
with the boastfu announcement that the raya-
ges of war and carnage should be quickly trans
ferred from the cotton fields in the South to
the wheat fields and corn fields of the North,
furnished conclusive evidence that it was the
fixed purpose of the Secessionists utterly to
destroy the Government of our fathers and OBJ
literate the United States from the map of the
world
In view of this state of facts there was but
one path of duty left to patriotic men. 1t was
not party question nor question involving
partisan policy; 1t was question Of Govern
ment or no Government ; country or no country;
and hence it became the imperative duty of
every Union man, every friend of constitutional
liberty, TO rally to the support of our common
country, its Government and flag, as the only
means of checking the progress of revolution
and of preserving the Union of States.
| am unable to answer your question in
respect to the policy of Mr.. Lincoln and his
iah I IN hair
and the whole country ought to be aware
am neither the supporter of the partisan policy
nor apologist for the errors of the Administra-
tion. My previous relations to them remain
unchanged but | trust the time will never
came when | shall not be willing to make any
needful sacrifice of personal feeling and party
policy for the honor and integrity of my coun-
try.
| know of no mode by which loyal citizen
may so well demonstrate his devotion to his
country as by sustaining the Flag, the Const-
tuition, and the Union, under all circumstances,
and under every Administration (regardless of
party politics., against all assailants, at home
and abroad. The course of Clay and Webster
toward the Administration of Gen. jackson, in
the days of Notification, presents noble and
worthy example for all true patriots. At the
very moment when that fearful crisis was pre-
cipitated upon the country, partisan strife
between Wings ard Democrats was quite as
bitter and relentless as now between Democrats
and Republicans. The gulf which separated
party leaders in those days was quite as broad
and deep as that which now separates the
Democracy and Republicans. But the moment
an enemy rose in their midst, plotting the dis
memberment Of the Union and the destruction
of the Government, the voice of partisan strife
was hushed in patriotic silence One of the
brightest chapters in the history of our country
will record the fact that during this eventful
period the great leaders of the Opposition,
sinking the partisan in the patriot, rushed to
the support of the Government, and became its
ablest and bravest defenders against all assail-
ants until the conspiracy was crushed and
abandoned when they resumed their former po-
sitons as party leaders upon political issues.
These acts of party devotion have never
been deemed evidences of infdelity or political
treachery, on the part of Clay and Webster
to the principles and organization of the old
Whig party. Nor nave l any apprehension
that the firm and unanimous support which the
Democratic leaders and masses are now giving
to the Constitution and the Union will ever be
deemed evidence of infdelity to Democratic
principles, or a want of loyalty to the organi-
zation and creed of the Democratic party. If
we hope to regain and perpetuate the ascen-
dency of our party, we should never forget that
man cannot be true Democrat unless he is
a loyal patriot.
With the sincere hope that these my consci-
entious conviction may coincide with those of
my friends, am, very truly, yours,
STrp1rN DOI-cr,S
To VIRGIL HIcox, Esq,
Chairman State Democratic Committee.
OVERLAND MAIL TRAIN.-A dispatch from
Carson City, June 18th, to the Sacramento
Union, says:
The Overland Mail Company's train arrived
here at noon to day. The train will leave for
the east to stock the road, in the morning.
Fifteen wagons of the Overland Telegraph
Company left Empire City this morning, load
ed with poles and wire for Fort Churchill,
where the first work will be commenced about
Thursday next. Poles have already been con-
tracted for about 800 miles from this city, and
the line will be extended at about the rate of
five miles day.
LIVELY TINES EXPECTED IN SoNoNA COUNTY.
The Santa Rosa Democrat, of the 18th June,
remarks that the development of the rich mines
of quicksilver in Sonoma county promises much
for the promotion of business interest generally
in that quarter The citizens there are becom-
ing awake to the fact. A movement has been
made having for its object the Improvement of