Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-05-21
LETTER FROM SENATOR DOUGLAS.

My Dedr Sir-Deiug deprived of the use of my
arms for the present by a severe attack Of rheu-
matism, am compelled to avail my self of the
services Of au amanuensis in reply to your two
letters.
1t seems that some of my friends are unable
to comprehend the difference between arguments
used in favor of an equitable compromise, with
the hope Of ayerting the horrors of war, md
those urged in support of tho Government and
flag of our country, when war Is being wlgrd
against the United States with the ayowed pur-
pose Of producing permanent disruption of the
Union and u total destruction Of its Government.
All hope Of compromise with the Cotton States
was abandoned when thoy assumed the position
that the separation OF the Union was complete
anl final, and that they would never consent to
n reconstruction in any contingency-not even if
we would furnish them with blank sheet Of
paper and permit them to ilscrihe their own
terms.
Still the hope was cherished that reasonable
nnd satisfactory terms of adjustment could be
agreed upon with Tennessee, North Carolina,
aud the Border States, and that whatever terms
would prove satisfactory to these loyal Sacs
would create Union party in the Cotton States
which would be powerful enough at 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 Union men North and South, aud
was never abandoned until actual war was levied
ut Charleston, and tho authoritative announce
ment made by the revolutionary Government at
Montgomery, that the secession flag should be
planted upon the walls Of the Capitol at Wash
ton, aud proclamation issued inviting pirates
of the world to prey upon the commerce Of the
United States .I
These startling facts. taken in connection with
the boastful announcement that the ravages ci
war and carnage should be quickly transferred
from the cotton fields Of the South to the wheat
fields and corn fields of the North furnish con-
elusive evidence that it was the fixed purpose of
the SecessiOnisls utterly to destroy the Govern
ment of our fathers md Obliternte the United
States from the map of the world
In view Of this state Of facts there was hut
one path of duty left 70 patriotic men. 1t was
not party question, nor a question involving
| partisan policy it was n question of Govern
inent or no Government, country or no country
and hence it became the imperative duty oil
every Union man, every friend Of Constitutional
liberty, to rally to the support OF our common
country, its Government aud flag, as the only
means Of checking tho progress Of revolution
and of preserving the Union OF the States
am unable to answer your questions in re-
spect TO the policy Of Mr. Lincoln and his Cabi.
net. am not in their confidence us you anl
the whole country ought to be aware. ! an
neither tho supporter Of the partisan policy moi
the apologst for the errors Of the Administers
ton. My previous relations to them remain un
changed but trust the time will never come
when shall not be willing to make any needfu
sacrifice Of personal feeling and party policy fol
tue honor and integrity of my country
| know Of no mode by which loyal citizen
muy so well demonstrate his devotion TO hi coun-
Try as by sustaining the Flag, the Constitution,
and the Union, under all circumstances, and un-
der every Administration, (regardcss Of party
! pOlitics,) against all assailants, at home and
abroad. The course of Clay aud Webster toward.
the Administration Of General Jackson, in the
days OF Modification, presents noble and wor-
thy example for oil true patriots. At the very
moment when that fearful crisis was preciptated
upon the country partisan strife between Wings
mud Democrats was quite as bitter and relentless
as now between Democrats and Republicans
The gulf which separated party leaders in those
days was quite Us broad aud deep us that which
now separates the Democracy from the Rcpuhli-
cans. But the moment un enemy rose IN our
midst, plotting the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Union
and the destruction of the Government, the voice
of partisan strife was husbed in patriotic silence
One Of the brightest chapters in the history OF
our country will record the fact that during this
eyentlul period the great leaders OF the Opposi-
ton, sinking the partisan in the patriot, ruqhed
to the support of the Government and became
its ablest aud brAvcst defenders against nll rs.
ehlA"h'a untl tue conspiracy was crushed ana
abandoned, when they resumed their former no.
sitions as party leaders upon political issues.
These nets of patriotic devotion have never
been deemed evidences Of iniidelity or political
treachery on the part of Clay and Webster, ia
the principles and organization ol the cid Wing
party. Nor have any apprehension that the
ilrm and unanimous support which the Demo
cratic leaders and masses are now giving to the
Constitution and the Union will ever he deemed
] vi t.a.l N.
or want of loyalty to the Organization and creed
Of the Democratic party. II we hope to regain
and perpetuate the asoendancy of our party, we
should never forget that man cannot be a true
Democrat unless he is loyal patriot.
With the sincere hope that these my CON
aeienlious convictions may coincide with those
of my friends, I am, very truly yours,
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.
To Virgil llicOx, Esq, Chairman State Demo
| cratic Committee