The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-07
The National Calamity.

we punish III duOtucT pdTl vi Our paper,
a sketch of the life of STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS,
from an impartial and reliable source. 1t
brings the career of the great statesman
down to the session of Congress of
l859-'60. That session, to our mind,
was the browning point of his senatorial
career, for it Immediately preceded the as
sembling of the Charleston Convention, and
the questions discussed were the most inn
portant, as subsequent events have demon.
strated, that ever occupied the attention of
the American Congress. During the ses-
sion, DOUGLAS entered the lists as the cham-
pion of the conservative sentiment of the
nation, and opposed, with great eloquence
and success, the perncious ire pressibe
conflict theories OF SEWARD, WADE,
TRUMBULL, and their associates of the Re-
publican party, and the extreme pro.slavery
and secession dogmas, SO ably and skilfully
advanced by DAVIS, TooMBs and BENJAMIN
Never were his splendid resources as par
liamentary debater, and political leader and
tactician, so strikingly DEVELOPED as during
the winter and spring of 1859 go. The
effect upon the country, as indicated in the
composition of the Charleston Convention,
was marvellous. The administration, and
the $4,000 ofice-holders under it, continued
their crusade upon the great statesman, and
the Republicans OF the North Wed with the
Secessionists of the South, in their exer-
tions 10 crush him out" yet the people
took up his cause, and an overwhelming
majority of the American Democracy de-
manded that he should be their chosen
standard-bearer in the coming contest.
The scenes at Charleston and Baltimore,
and the herculean labors of our great leader,
during the canvass, are familiar to our
readers /; but sectionalism, North and
South, was too potent, and the good cause,
and its representative, were stricken down.
But how costly has that sacrifice proven
DOUGLAS entered the Senate Chamber,
last December, as the solitary representa-
tive in that body, of the views of million
and hall of his countrymen. He threw
aside all partnership, and zealously united
with the conservative members in last
effort to peacefully preserve the integrity of
the Union. 1t was unsuccessful, and the
dreaded issue of civil war or dismemberz
ment of the government was forced upon
the country. DOUGLAS did not hesitate at
this critical juncture he early assured the
administration of his cordial cooperation
in its efforts to maintain the government !;
and, welding personal and political in6u.
ence possessed by no other statesman in the
land, be nobly performed his great part in
cementing and uniting the people of the
Northern States, as a unit, in defence OF
the Constitution and Union. In this field
of duty be was no summer soldier, and the
disease which proved fatal to him, had its
origin in his unremitting labors for the pre-
servation of our free institutions. He was
carried from the great meeting held to well
come him back to Chicago,-the scene Of
his last oratorical efort,--to bed of death.
Even during his illness, and while unable to
WELD pen, be gave proof of his devotion
to his country, in letter, written through
an amanuensis, to the Democracy of Lii.
nois, in which he declared there was no
"mode by which loyal citizen may so well
demonstrate his devotion to his country.
Gas by sustaining the flag, the Constitution
and the Union, under all circumstances
"and under every administration, regardless
"of party politics, against all assailants, at
home and abroad" n man cannot be a
"true Democrat unless he is a loyal patriotl'
rb;o xvas rrohahlv the last pOlitical letter