Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-04-23
Judge Douglas in Columbus.

Judge DOUGLAS arrived in this city, on his
way from Washington to Chicago, about mid
night last night. His advent was wholly unex-
pected, and the train from the east having miss
ed connection at Bellsir, he was compelled to
lay over. It being ascertained that he had arriv-
ed, be was sersnaded some time after midnight,
and made brief speech.
This morning at 10 O'Clock, by Invitation Of the
General Assembly, he spoke to an immense au'
dience at the north front Of the State House.
His speech was listened TO with profound at
tention, and received with universal approba-
ton.
He commenced by referring to the fearful
crisis nov upon us, saying that nothing Like IL
had occurred since the Revolution.
The Federal Capital was virtually besieged,
the archives Of the nation in danger. and there
was possibility that the President Of the ma
ton might be made q captive. lie said he
would never advise, but resist at all times, Q
war against the institutions, the property and
the constitutional rights Of the people Of the
South on the other hand, he would resist Sc.
cession, uphold the Gag and maintain the au
thority of the Federal Government. He would
not fight the South in violation Of her rights,
but he would defend the Constitution OF his
country, and not lay down our arms until the
national authority was yindicated.
The negro question, he said, was not involved
In this issue; but free commerce and free trade
from the centre to the circumference Of the
Union. The great Northwest would never
consent that The Gulf States should control the
mouth of the Mississippi or interrupt the free
navigation thereof. To acknowledge the right
Of the Gull States to do so, is to admit the right
of the Atlantic States TO cut us of from the
ocean, and such an odous system of isolation
the great Northwest never would consent to.
The seeded States have already adopted
many Of the most odious features Of the tyran-
nical governments of Europe. Passports Of the
most exactiDg and oppressive kind are now in
existence there. IcrE EgL
The questions involved are such as should
arouse the patriotic people of the whole Union,
and the war should be one of selfdefence and
Tor the preservation of the Government.
He called upon ell men, without respect to
party, to rally to the defence of the Govern.
ment and Its Constitutional head, and for the
maintenance of the National Constitution, and
said It was no time now to inquire what pro.
ducsd this state Of things; no time TO discuss
this platform or that platform; but TO act for
the defence Of the country; and after the con
sest Is ended We may then. II we choose, amuse
ourselves in the delightful occupation Of crimi.
nation and recriminstion. He said he was q
pretty good partizAn in party times, and when
the contest Is ended he would make a party
speech, II required.
He referred TO meeting of ohioans and
visginisns (the larger portion yirgnians) at
Bellair, on yesterday. The spectacle was a
grand nesthe audience vieipg with each other
in their devotion to the Union.
He paid high compliments to the patriotic
citizens Of Ohio for their loyalty to the Union,
and the alacrity with which they are responding
to the call Of the country.
He referred to d rumor about Gen. Scorr,
which, he said, he did at the request Of some
one near by. He said It gave him pain TO have
to refer to such an uniounded slander. The
Old Hero was faithful to the Union, and de
voting bis whole energies to the toilsome
labor Of his office. He said Gen. scorr had
been rendered the command Of the Virginia
forces, II he would resign his position in the u
8. Army. The old hero replied that he had
A