Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-08
LETTER FROM HON. s. A. DOUGLAS.
The following letter has been addressed by Judge
douglas 10 the editors of the Memphis ipDedl.

Douglas 10 the Gators OF the memphis Appeal
WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. ., 1861.
Messrs. Editors have this moment read with amaze
editorial in your paper Of the &o;h ultimo in
which you assume that am avorng the immediate with
drawa of the remaining States from the C0nfederacy
peace measure, TO avert the horrors OF civil war and
with the view OF reconstruction constitutional basis
mpore you, by all those kind relations which have
so long existed between u.s. aud which still cherish with
so much pleasure and gratitude, TO do the justice
promptly correct the unaccouGtabe error into which
you have been led. In regard secession, whether
viewed as governmental theory or as matter Of pot
ical expedency, have never had bu: one opinion
uttered but lAnguagethat of unqualified opposition
Nothing be fatal to the peace of the country
destructive OF ito honor aud OF all the hopes OF
sruction the secession of Tennessee and the Border
States under existing circumstances.
You must remember that there Disunonists among
the party leaders the North well at the South
men whose hostility to slavery is stronger than their
fidelity the Constitution, and who believe that the dis
rupt.on of the Unan world draw after it, inevitG
DO consequence civil war, servle Instruction and
finally the utter determination Of slavery in all the South
ern States.
| They are bold daring, determined men and belev
ing as they do that the Constitution of the United States
is the great bulwark of slavery this continent ard
that the disruption of the American Union involves tie
inevitable destruction Of Slavery aud is al indispensable
necessity 10 the attanm 1T Of that end they deter
mined to accomplish their paramount object by any
means within their power For these the North
ern dsunioniss Ike the disunonists of the South,
violently opposed to all compromises constitutional
amendments efforts at Cancellation whereby peace
could be restored and the Union preserved
They are striving to break up the Union under pre-
ence OF unbouhded devotion it, They are struggling
to overthrow the Constitution while protesting undying
attachment to H. and willingness TO make any sacrifice
TO maintain it. They trying TO plunge the country
| into civil war; the surest means Of destroying the
Union upon the plea Of enforcing TIE laws and protect
lag the public property. fthey defeat any Kind Of
may be satisfactorily settled and keep up the irritation
so al to induce the border States follow the
States they will feel certain of the accomplishment Of
their ultimate designs
Nothing will crafty them so much, contribute SO
eectualy to their success the secession OF Tennessee
and the Border States Every State that wthdaws from
the Union nceases the relative power OF Northern Abo-
onsts to defeat satisfactory adjustment and to brug
on war which, sooner or later must end in final separa-
ton and recognition Of the independence of the two
contepdng sections
IT, the contrary, Tennessee, North Carolina, ard
the Border States will remain in the Union, they will
unite with the Conservative and Unon-oving men Of
all parties in the North in the adoption of such CON-
promise as will DO alike honorable safe and Just 10 the
people Of all the States peace and fraterna feeling will
RETURN and the Cotton States back, and the
Union be rendered perpetual
Pardon tho repetition, Tor il cannot be too strongly
impressed upon all who love country that secession
and will be destructive, not only of the present
Union, bu; will blast all hope OF reconstruction upon
constitutional basis trus; you will do me the justice
TO publish this note in your ISSUE
| am, very truly,
| Your friend
s A. DOUGLAS.