Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-02-12


The position Of Senator Douglas having
been mistated by the Aemphis appeal, in
late issue Of that Journal, the following
letter Of correction was addressed to its
editor. We would ask our Republican
friends who are not candidates for Office
and desire the votes Of Abolitionists to care
fully peruse this important letter from our
Senator. And may the people heed lis
advice, and politicians everywhere emitate
its noble author in endeayors to stave off
dissolution and civil war.
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 2, 1861.
MEssRs. EDITORS 81 have this moment
read with Management and editorial in YOUR
paper Of the Both oltimo, in which you as
sune thst | am iavUring tho immediate
withdrawal Of the remaining States from
the coniederucy, as peace measure, to
avert the horrors Of civil war, and with
the view 0f a reconstruction ON a constitu-
tional basis.
lmplore you, by all those kind rela-
tiOns which have 80 long existed between
ue, ard which still cherish with so
much pleasure aEd gratitude, to do me the
justice promptly to correct the unaccounta
Ole error into which you have been led. In
regard 10 secession, whether viewed as a
governmental theory or Us a matter of pos
litical eTpediency, have never had but
one opinion, nor uttered tut one language
that Of unqualified opposition.
Nothing can be so fatal to the peace OF
the country, go destructive Of the Union
aud Of all b. res Of reconstruction, as the
secession Of Tennessee and the border
States under existing circumstances.
You must remember that there are dis
nnioDists among the party leaders at the
N~th as well as at the SOuth-men whose
hostility to slavery is stronger than their
fidelity to the Constitution, ard who be
heve that the disruption Of the Union
would draw after it, as IN Inevitable cor
sequence, civil war, servile insurrecticn,
ard finally the utter determination Of
slavery in all the Southern States They
are bold, daring, determined men; aud
believing, as they do, that the Constitution
of the United States is the great bulwark
If elavcry on this continent. aud that the
disruption Of the American Union involves
the inevitable destruction of slavery, and
is an Indispensable necessity to the attain
ment Of that end, they are determined "a
aecumulish their paramount object by any
means within their power For these
reasons, the Northern dsuniunists like the
disnnionists Of the South, are violently on
posed to all compromises or constitutional
amendment, or efforts at Cancellation,
whereby peace could be restored, and the
Union preserved.
They are striving to break up the Union
under pretence of unbounded devotion to
1t. They are struggling to overthrow the
Constitution while protesting undying at
tachment to it, and a willingness to make
any sacrifice to maintain it. They are
trying to plunge the country into civil war
~ the surest means Of destroying the
Uni0n, upon the plea of enforcing the laws
and protecting the public property. II
ihey can defeat any kind Of adjustment or
compromise, by which the points at issue
may be satisfactorily settled, and keep NJ
The irritation so as to induce the Border
States to follow the Cotton States, they
will feel certain Of the accomplishment oi
their ultimate designs.
Nothing will crafty them so much, or
contribute so eifectuaily to their success, SIS
the secession Of Tennessee and the border
States. Every State that withdraws from
the Union increases the relative power Of
Northern AbolIticnists to defeat satisfac
tory adjustment, and to bring on war,
which, sooner or later, must end in fnal
separation, and recognition of the inde-
pendence Of the two contending sections.
IF, on the contrary, Tennessee, North Car
olina, and the border States will remain
in the Union, and will unite with the
conservative and Uuiun-loving men OF all
parties in the North, in the adoption Of
such compromise as will be alike honor
able, safe, and just Il the people of all the
States, peace aud frhternal feeling will
soon return, and the Cotton States come
back, and the Union be rendered perpet.
ual.
Pardon the repetition, for it cannot be
too strongly impressed upon all who love
our country thas secession and war will be
destructive, not only Of the present Union.
but will blast all hope Of reconstruction
upon a constitutional basis trust YOU
will do me the justice to publish this note
In your next issue.
am, truly, your friend.