Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-05-09
SPEECH At COLUMBUS OHIO.

CoLUMRUs, Wednesday, April "a, 1861.
There was an impromptu meeting in this
city yesterday, which possesses significance.
Stephen A. Douglas having arrived here on
he early train from Virginia, he was cscor-
Ted to to the State-H House, and as soon as il
became known that he was at the Capitol, n
speech was demanded of him. OF course
he complied. Several hundred men and wo-
men Immediately collected in front of the
north steps Of the State House, and Mr..
Douglas, having been introduced by Mr.,
BUR, Member of the House of Representa-
tives from Delaware Coanty, proceeded in a
strong voice and in an animated manner, to
speak of the war and the duty of citizens.
ABSTEACT OF DOUGLASS SPEECH.
He began by expressing his deep feeling
under the exciting and alarming condition of
the country. He would not discuss the eau
scs of the civil war, but he had no doubt Of
the duty of the citizens. 1t was to stand by
the flag; to defend the Capitol of tie nation
The question was. would the people permit
traitors to destroy the constitutionally elected
Government or would they suppress rebel
lion ? [CIies of Suppress it.'l He would
never sanction any invasion of tie rights of
the people Of the South. He would defend
them in their political rights, and in their
rights of property. He would resist interfc-
renee with the domestic institutions of the
South. so help him god; but this was not a
p,nSttpn ofinstiptF a u ipv,lyn1
questions of more Importance than all the
negroes Of fChristendcm. 1t was great COM
mcrcial question. Shall n portion of this
country, which is to the whole country as
the hem Of the garment is to The cloak, die
tate commercial law to the whole people?
Shall we have petty passport system,
which, OF every citizen who wished to cross
a State line, wonld require such a permit as
now given by the South to a negro? Shall
oar baggage he uvcrhauled on every border
if we wish to travel? Shall our commerce
be subject to sectional dictation? Ii we
consent that it shall, at Charleston or at Mo-
bile, we may be called upon to consent that
it shall at New York. 1t is no time now
for elimination or recrimination--no time to
institute inquiry respecting this body or that
to inquire whether this or that platform
is most i'll harmony with the will of the peo-
Pile We must rally to the defense OF the
Governmcnt--to the re-cstablshment of the
Union. When that is accomplished we may
engage in the delightful occupation of quar-
reling among one another about this party
or that party.
Declaring that when he left Washington
he did not intend to make speeches. but cX-
pectcd quietly to 20 to his home in Illinois,
Mr.. Douglas stated that on Monday, having
been unexpectedly detained at Wheeling he
consented to address citizens Of Chic and
Virginia at Bellair. 1t seemed tn him that
the City of Wheeling had adjourned to Ohio,
so vast was the meeting aud SO great the ir-
tcres.. Wo to the man who had there raised
u Secession flag. 1t was a noble sight to see
the people there rally around the stars and
stripes He hoped there was not man in
the Mississippi Valley who did not recognize
every other man us his brother who was rea-
ly to stand by the flag OF the natiuN.
Mr. Douglas was about to leave the steps
from which he spoke. wheC there was Il
question from some one about Gen. Scott
Douglas answered:
There has been rumor that Gen. Scott is
Virginia Can there be a doubt respecting
that old soldier and patriot, who for more
than fifty years has shed his blood on every
battlefield in defense Of his country? | car
make short work of such doubt. Last
Saturday before | left Washington visited
Gen. Scott at his quartess. He was occupied
writing dspatches-so much occupied that
he said 30 me he would like to talk an hour,
but that would serve my country if ! did
not detain him a moment. Cheers. Wal
king from his quarters at the avenue, met
a gentlemen from Virginia, who said to me,
in conversation | had with him, that he
was Chairman of Committee instructed to
tender to Gen. Scott the supreme command
uf all the forces of Virginia. i have dis
charged that duty said the gentlemen, and
the General answered me that for more than
fifty Yeas he had devoted his life to the de-
fcnse of the flag of his country. So long as
God permitted him to live he would stand
by that flag against all assailants, even though
his Native State, Virginia was among them
TVociierous cheers.
Mr., Douglas then said: Now gentlemen
it is only necessary TO say that the old hero
is employed night and day in defence OF his
cOuntHy-hlS WuOle CounlFy-Wlthout refer
ence 10 the character or locality OF its assail-
ants. Cheers.
Mr.. Douglas was followed by Congress
man Cox Of this district. aud by Ben STAN
ton, late Congressman in the Logan District;
and in response to loud calls, Gov. Dennson
then appeared and made few pertinent re-
marks, when, with martial music. the meet
ing was dismissed.
Stray Bricks and Fugitive Shots.