The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-02-15

political expedieucy, l have never had but
one opinion, nor utter but one language
tina, of unqualified opposition.
Nothing can be so fatal to the peace OF
the country, 30 destructive of the Union
and Of all hopes Of reconstruction, as the
Secession of Tennessee and the bordef
States under existing circumstances.
You must remember that there are dis
unionists among the party leaders at the
North as well as to the South-men whose
hostility to slavery is Stronger than their
fidelity to the Constitution, and who be-
lieve tina: the disruption Of the Union
would draw after it, as an inevitable con
sequence, civil war, servils insurec,ion and
finally the utter determination Of slavery
in all the Southern States. They are
bold, daring, determined men and believ-
ing AS they do, that the Consti' utior of the
United States is the great bulwark of slaves
~ on this Continent, and that the disrup
ton Of the American Union involves the
inevitable obstruction Of .lavery. and is an
indispensable necessity to the attainment
of that end, they are determined to accom-
plish their paramount object by any means
within their power. For these reasons,
the Northern disunionis,s, like the d:snn
ionists of the South, are violently opposed
to all compromises or constitutional an.e d.
mems, or efforts at Cancellation, whereby
peace could oe restored, and the Union
preserved.
They are striving to break up the Union
under pretence OF unbounded devotion 10
it. They are struggling TO overthrow the
Constitution while protesting undy irg at
tachmen. to it They are tryin, to p!uns>
the country into civil war, as the sures.
of . troying the Union, upon the plea Of
enforcing the laws and protecting the pub.
lie property. II they Can defeat any kind
of adjustment or compromise, by which the
points at issue may be satisfactorily se:tl-
ed, and keep up the irritation so as to in
duce the bord er States TO follow the cot>
ton States, they will feel certain of the ae-
comp.ishment Of their ultimate design.
Nothing will CRAFTY them SO much, or
contribute so efectually to their success,
as the secession of Tennessee and the Dor
der States. Every State that withdraws
from the Union, increases tie relative
power of Northern Aboli,ionists to defeat
a satisfactory adjustment, and TO bring on
war. which, sooner or later, must end in
final separation, and recognition Of the in
dependence of the two contending sections.
If on the contrary, Tennes,e, North Caro-
lima, and the border States, will remain in
the Union and will unite with tho conser-
vative and Union>loving men Of all par
ties in the North. in tho adoption Of a
comprimise as will be honorable, safe, and
just to the PEOPLE Of all the States, peace
and fraternal feelings will soon return, and
the cotton States come back, and tho Un-
ion be rendered perpetual.
Pardon the repetition, for it cannot be
too strongly impressed upon all who love
our country that secession and war will DC
destructive, not only Of the present Union
but will blast all hope of reconstruction
upon constitutional basis. l trust YOU
will do me the justice TO publish this note
in your next issue.
l am, very truly, your friend.
S. A. DOUGLAS.