Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-02-14
Letter from Hon. S. 4. Douglas.

Letter from Hon. S. &. Douglas.
The following letter has been addressed
by Judge Douglas. 10 The Editor, Of tbs
Memphis Appeal: Es Is
WAsnINe ION CRY, Feb. 2. 1861.
Messrs: Editor.:I have this nomen,
read with amazement an editorial of the
3Olh ultimo, in which you assume that am
favoring the immediate Withdrawal of the
remaining States from the confederacy, as
q peace measure, 10 avert the horrors OF
civil war, and with the view 10 recon-
struetion on constitutional basis. Z =.
Iimplore you by oil those kind rela
ms which have SO long existed between
US, and which still cherish with SO much
pleasure and gratitude, 10 do nae the ju tice
promptly 10 correct the unaccountabIe err
Tor into which yeu have been led. In re.
gard 10 secession, whether viewed as
governmental theory, or as matter Of po-
liiical expediency, have never had but one
opinion, nor uttered but one language that
Of unqualified opposition. I'D 20 "a,
Nothing can be SO fatal TO the peace Of
the country, so destructive of the Union
and of all hopes Of reconstruction, as tile
secession of Tennessee and the border
States under existing circumstances. lEa
You must remember that there are dis
unioists among the party leaders at the
North us well as the South-men. whose
hostility TO siaveryis stronger than their
fidelity to the Constitution, and who believe
that the disruption Of tlir Union would draw
after il as an inevitable consequence, civil
war, servils issurreciion, and finally the
DETERMINATION Of slavery in all the South
srn States. They are bold, daring, deter
mined men: believing as they do, that the
Constitution Of the United States is the
great bulwark of slavery on this Continent
and that the disruption of the Union in.
wolves the inevitable destruction Of slavery
and is an indispensable necessity TO the at
tainment of that end, they are determined
TO accomplish their paramount object by
any means within their power. For these
reasons, the Northern disunienists, like the
disuniunists Of the South, are violently ep.
posed TO all eonprenises or constitutional
amendments, or efforts at Cancellation,
whereby peace could be restored and the
Union preserved. 49,.
They are striving 10 break up The Cnien
under pretencs Of unbounded devotion 10 il.
They are struggling 10 overthrow the Con-
siilution while protesting undying attach
msnt 10 il, and willingness to make any
sacrifice 10 maintain it. They are trying
TO plunge the country int civil war, as
the surest means Of destroying the Union,
upon the plea Of enforcing the laws and
protecting the public property. Il they
can defeat any kind Of adjustment or com
promise, by which the points at issue may
be satisfactorily settled, and keep up the
irritation so as 10 induce the Border States
10 follow the Cotton States, they will feel
certain Of the accomplishment Of their ulti-
mate designs. -..t4 ,,...s-....
Nothing will crafty them so much. or
contribute SO effsetuslly TO their success,
as the secession of Tennessee and the Dor.
der States. Every State that wiihdraws
from the Union increases the relative pow.
er Of Northern Aboli,ionists TO defea. q
satisfactory adjustment, and 10 bring on
war, which, sooner or later, must end in 4
nal separation, and recognition Of the indie
psndence Of the two contsnd:ng seetions.-l
IL, on the contrary, Tennessee, North Caro-
lima, and the border States will remain in
the Unien, and will unite with the oonser.
raiive and Union loving men Of all parties
in the North, in the adoption of such CON-
promise as will be alike honorable, safe,
and just 10 the people of all the States,
peace and freternal feeling will soon re- |
turn, and the cotton States come back, and
the Union be rendered perpetual.
Pardon the repetition, Tor il cannet be too
strongly impressed upon all who love our
country that secession and war will be de.
structivs, not only Of the present Union.
but will blast all hope Of reorganization
upon constitutional basis. 1 trust you
will do me the justice TO publish this note
in your next issue. -.- .s-- ..g.ss .,,.a
l am, very truly, your friend,
s. a. DOUGLAS. |