Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1861-02-15


Tie following letter has been addressed BY
Judge Douglss 10 the editors Of the OTem.
lnIs alfsstf
l9Assi1NcroN CRY, Feb. ?; 1861
MessEs Editors haze this moment read
with ssl.ia zenien an editorial IN your paper OF
the 3oth hnltiano, in which you assume that l
anl iayoring the Immediate Withdrawal Of the
5 REMAINING States trota the l'ouiederaey, is
= peace aie.lsure. 10 avert the horrors oi civil
: wa, and with the view OF lccons truction gu
a constitutional basis.
implose you, BY all those kind relations
which have so long existed between Us. and
which stu cherish with SO much plea tire
and gratitude; to do me the justice promptly
no Correct the unaccountable error, into which
you htee been led, g neg. q secession,
whether We've as g0vefnihehtai theory OF
as matter of political expediency, ] have
never had but one opinion nor uttered but
one lansuage-.hat of unqualified opposition.<
Nothing can be SO fatal to the peace of the
country, So destructive of its honor and of
ali the hopes OF reconstruction, as the seees-
siun of Tennessee aud the Border States un-
der existing circumstances.
You must remember that there arc Dis
uuionists among the party leaders at the
North as well as at the South men whose
hostility to slavery is stronger than their f.
deity to the Constitution, and who believe
that the disruption Of the Union would draw
alter it US inevitable consequence, civil war,
servile insurrection, and finally the utter ex-
termination OF slavery in all the Southern
States.
They are bold, daring, determined men !;
and believing, as they do, that the Constitu-
tiun OF the United States is the great bull
walk of slavery ON this continent, aud that
.he disruption of the Amer. can Union invol-
YES the inevitable obstruction Of sla cry, and
isan indispensable necessity to the attain-
ment Of that eud, they are determined TO ac-
complsh their paramount object ty any
meaps within their power. For these rea>
sous the Northern disunionists, like the dis
unionists of the South, are violently opposed
to all compr mises or constitutional amend
ments, or efforts at Cancellation, whereby
lcace could be restored and the Union pre-
served
They are striving to break up the Union
under pletencc OF unbounded devotion to it.
They me struggling to overthrow the Consti-
futon while protesting un6ylng attachment
to it, and Il Willingness TO nlake any sacrifice
to l:aintain it. They urc trying to plunge
the country into civi war, as the surest means
If destroying the Union, upon the plea Of
enforcing the laws and protecting the public
property. Ii they can defeat any kind of
adjustneutor cCWpr rGntise by which the points
at issue may he satisfactorily settled, and
keep up the lrr;tat0n so as to induce the
Border States to iullowthe cotton States they
will feel certain of the accomplishment OF
their ultimate designs ->
Nothing will crafty them SO much, or con-
tribute so etfectuaily to their success, as the
secession of tennessee aud the Border States.
Every State that withdaws, from the Union
norcises the relative power OF Northern AbO-
llticnists TO defeat satisfactory adjustment,
aud to bring on war, which sooner or later,
must end in fual separation, and recognition
Of the independence of the Two contendinS
sections.
If on the contrary. Tennessee, North Car
olilla, and the Border States, will remain in
the Union, they will unite with the Conser-
vatiye and Union loving men of all parties in
the North. in ;he adoption Of such cons
promise rs will be alike honorable, safe and
Just to the people of all the States; reaceand
tra,ernar feeling will soon return. and the
Cotton Stltes come back, and the Union be
rendered perpetual.
Pardon the repetition, for it cannot be too
strongly impressed upon all who love our
country, that secession and war will be des-
tructiye, 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.
Ism, very truly,
S. a. DOUGLAS.
T.