The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-09-28
Senator Douglas Last Letter.


a friend of Senator Douglas has handed to
the National LteiHsencer, for publication, q
copy of the following letter from him on the
the state Of the country:
CnIcAeo. May 10.
My Dear Sr:--Being deprived of the use
OF my arms for the present by a severe attack
Of rheumatism am compelled to avail myself
of the services Of an amanuenss in reply to
your two letters.
IL seems TINT some of my friends ave unable
10 comprehend The difference befreen arguments
used N faror of an equitable compromise. with
The hope of arerting the horrors Of ,rar. and
those urged in support Of the Government
and the flag Of our country, rhen rar is being
purpose Of producing permanent disruption of
the Union and total destruction Of ITS Gorern-
ment
All hope of compromise with the Cotton
States was abandoned when they assumed
the position that the separation Of the Union
was complete ard final, and that they would
tingency--nOt eren If 1re WouH furnish them
uiM blank sheet Of piper and permit them to
inscribe her own te, nus.
Still the hope was cherished that reasona BILE
and satisfactory terms Of adjustment could
re had with Tennessee. North Carolina and
the Border States, and that whatever terms
would prove satisfactory to these loyal States
would be powerful enough ut 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
cherished by the Union men North and South,
and was never abandoned until actual war
was levied at Charleston aud the authoritative
announcement made by the revolutionary
governmct at Montgomery that the Secession
flag should he planted upon the walls of the
Capitol at Washington, and proclamation
issued inr'ting the pirates of the ,rorM 10 prey
upon The commerce Of The United States.
These startling facts, in connection with
the boastful announcement that the ravages
of war and carnage should be quickly trans
ferred from the cotton fields of the South to
the wheat fields and corn fields of the North,
furnish conclusive evidence that it was The
fred purpose of the Sccession,sts utterly 10
.estroy the Government Of our fathers and
obhterute the United States from tie map Of the
pouM.
In view ofthis state Of facts there 1ras but one
path Of duty left 10 patriotic men. 1t was not
party question, nor question involving
partisan policy; 1t aras a question of eortrn-
ment or no government !; country or no country ]:
and hence it became the imperative duty of
every Union man, every friend of constitu.
tonal liberty, to rally 10 tie support Of our
common country, its govs'nment and flag, as
the only means of checking the progress of
revolution and of preserving the Union of
ateS.
am unable to answer your questions in
respect to the policy Of Mr.. Lincoln and Cab.
met. [ 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 of the errors of the
Administration. My previous relations to
them remain unchang but | trust The time
uiH necpr come uhPn l shall not be w,N,ng
TO make any necdf"l sacrifice o. personal trclng
and party policy for The honor md integrity Of
The country.
| know ofno mode in which loyal citizen
may so we'll demonstrate his devotion to his
country as by sustaining the flag. the Con-
sltution, and the Union, under all circum.
stances. and under every adminstratio
regardless OF party politics, against all ussalunts
ii home and otroud. The course of Clay and
Webster towards the Adm inistration of Jack
son, in the days of notification. presents a
noble and worthy example for all true patriots.
At the very moment when that fearful crisis
was prccipitat,d 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
those days was quite as broad and deep as
that which now separates the Democracy
from the Republican. But the moment an
|
6crmem OF The Union and the destruction of tht
Government The roiee Of partisan strife uo'
hnshed IN patriotic silence. One of the bright.
will record the fact that during THE evenlfu
period the great leaders of the opposition
SMILING the partisan in The putriot, rushed tc
its ablest and bravrst defenders against al
assailants until the conspiracy was crushed
aud abandoned. when they resumed their
former positions as party leaders upon politi-
cal issues.
These acts o patriotic devotion have nevel
been deemed evidence of infidelity or politica
treachery. on the part Of Clay and Webster
to the principles and organization of the &C
Wing party. Nor have any apprehension
that the firm and unanimous support which
the Democratic leaders and masses are now
giving to the Constitution and the Unior
will ever be deemed evidence Of infidelity t
Democratic principles, or want of loyalty
10 the organization and creed Of the Demo
cratic party. If WE HOPE TO REGAIN ANT
PERPETUATE THE AsCENDENCY OF OUR PARTY
WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET THAT MAN
CANNOT BE A TRUE DEMOCRAT UNLESS liz
IS A LOYAL PATRIOT.
With the sincere hope that these, my con'
scientious convictions, may coincide with
those of my friends.
! am. very truly, yours S. A. DOUGLAS.
To VIGIL HIcKox, Esq, Chairman STATE
Democratic Committee.