Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-02-15
Lettei. from Hon. $. A. Douglas.
The following letter has been addressed
by Judge Douglas to Tie Editors of the
Memphis Appeal:

by Judge Douglas to Tie Editors of the
Memphis Appeal:
WAsn1NatoN C1ITf4T, FEB z. 1851.
Messrs. Editors Il nave this moment
read with amazement an editorial in your
paper of the 30th ultimo, ID which you as
sumo that am favoring the immediate with
drawal Ct the remaining States from the
Confeoeracy, as peace measure, to avert
the horrors of civil war. and with the view
of reconstruction on constitutional basis
I implore you by all those Kind relations
which have so long existed between us, and
which still cherish with so much pleasure
and gratitude, to do me the justice prompt
" to correct the tnaccountabla error iatc
which you have been led. In regard to Sc
cession, whether viewed as a governmental
theory or as matter of political expedien-
cy, | have never had but one opinion, nor
uttered but one Language -tEat Of unquai-
fed opposition.
Nothing can be so fatal to the peace of
the country, SO destructive of the honor and
of all hopes Of reconstruction, as the seces-
sion Of Tennessee and the DO der Stat. un.
ger eXlStlng circumstances
You must remember that there are disu-
niouists among the party leaders at the
North as we'll 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
after it, as an inevitable consequence; civil
war, servle insurrection, and finally tie Ut
ter determination of slayery in all the South
ern States. They are bold, daring, deter
mined men. and believing as they do, that
be Constitution Of the United States is the
great bulwark Of slavery on this continent,
and that the disruption of the American
Union involves the Inevitable destruction of
slavery, aud is an Indispensable necessity
to the attainment Of that end, they are de-
termined to accomplish their paramount OBJ
ject by any means within their power For
these reasons the Northern disuDionists, like
the disunionists Of the South, are violently
opposed to all compromises on constitutional
amendments, 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 it..
They are struggling to overthrow the Con-
stitution while protesting undying attach
ment to it, and a Willingness, t5 make any
sacrifice to maintain it. They are trying t.
plinge the. country into, civil war, as the
surest means Of destroying the Union. upon
the plan Of enforcing the laws and protecting
the public property, If they can defeat any
kind of adjustment or compromise, by which
the points at issue may be satisfactorily set.
tied, and Keep W. the irritation so as to in
duce the Border States to follow the Cotton
States, they will feel certain of the accom-
plishment of their ultimate designs.
Nothing will crafty them SO much, or
contribute 50 efectually to their success, as
the secession of Tennessee and the border
States. Every State that withdraws from
! the Union increases the relative power OF
| Northern Abolitionists to defeat a satisfacto-
~ adjustment, and to bring on war, which,
SCORER or later, must end in final separation,
and recognition of the independence of the
two contending sections. 1t, ON the contra
! ~, Tennessee, North Carolina, and the bor-
der States, will remain in, the Union, and
will unite with the conservative and Union
loving men of all parties in the North, in
the adoption of such compromise as will be
alike honorable, safe, and just to the people
Of all the States, peace and fraternal Sfeel-
ing will soon return. and the cotton States
Gems back, and the Union lie rendered per-
petual.
Pardon the repetition, Tor il cannot. be too
strongly impressed upon all who love our
country, that secession and war will be de-
structiye, 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
l am, very truly, your friend,
s. A. DOUGLAS.