Daily national Democrat., 1861-06-19
Letter from Senator Douglas.

Nix DEAR SIR: Being deprived of the use
of my arms for the present 10y Il severe attack
OF rheumatism, am compelled to avail my
self of the services of an amanuensis in reply
to your two letters
1t seems that some of my friends are una
be to comprehend the difference between ar
guments used in favor of an equitable com
promise with the hope of avertng the hor-
rors of war, and those urged in support of the
Government and flag of our country, when
war is being wnged against the United States
with the avowed purpose OF producing per-
manent disruption Of the Union and a total
destruction OF its Government.
All hope 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 reconstruction in any con-
tingency-not even if we would furnish them
with blank sheet of paper and permit them
to inscribe their own terms
Still the hope was cherished that reason
able 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 Cotton States which would be power
full enough at the ballot tox TO destroy the
Revolutionary Government, and bring those
States back into the Union by the voice Of
their own people. This hope was cherished
10y Union men North and South, and was
never abandoned until actual war was levied
at Charleston, and the authoritative an
nouncement made 10y the Revolutionary
Government at Montg omery, that the Seces-
sion flag should be planted upon the walls
of the Capitol at Washington, and "a procla-
nation issued inviting the pirates of the
world to prey upon the commerce of the
United States.
These startling facts, taken in connection
with the boasttul announcement that the
ravages of war and carnage should be quick
ly transferred from the cotton fields of the
South TO the wheat fields and corn fields of
the North furnish conclusive evidence that
it was the fixed purpose of the Secessionists
utterly TO destroy the Government of ours
fathers and obliterate 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 IA party question, nor question in
volying partisan policy it was question of
Government or no Government country or
no country; and hence it became the impera-
constitutional liberty, to rally to the support
of our common country, its Government and
flag, as the only means of checking the pro-
gress of revolution and of preserving the
Union of the States
! am unable to answer your questions in
respect to the policy of Mr. Lincoln and his
Cabinet. | am not in their confidence, as
you and the whole country ought to be
aware. | am neither the supporter of the
partisan policy nor the apologist for the er-
rors of the Administration. My previous re-
lations TO them remain unchanged; but
trust the time will never come when shall
not be willing to make any needful sacrifice
of personal feeling and party policy for the
honor and integrity of my country.
| know of no mode by which loyal citi-
zen may so well demonstrate his devotion ia
his country as by sustaining the Flag, the
Constitution, and the Union, under all cir
cumstances and under every Administration
(regardless of party politics., against all as
salants, at home and abroad. The course o
Clay and Webster toward the Administration
of Gen. Jackson, in the days of Notification
presents a noble and worthy example for all
true patriots. At the very moment when
that fearful crisis was precipitated upon the
country, partisan strife between Wings and
Democrats was quite as bitter and RELENTLESS
as now between Democrats and Republicans
The gulf which separated party leaders in
hose days was quite as broad and deep as
that which now separates the Democracy
and the Republicans. But the moment an
eaemy rose in their midst, plotting the dis
memherment of the Union and the destruc-
'lon OF the Government, the voice of partisan
stnfe 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 on
position sinking the partisan in the patriot,
rushed to the support ofthe Government, and
became its abest and bravest defenders
against all assailants until the conspiracy was
crushed and abandoned when they resumed
their former positions as party leaders upon
political issues.
These acts of patriotic devotion have never
been deemed evidences of infdelity or polti,