Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-04
Last Communication from Stephen A.
Douglas 10 the Public.
Cn1CAGo. May 10. 1861

reply to your two letters.
1t seems that some of my friends are unable
to comprehend the difference between argu-
ments used in favor of an equitable compru-
mise, with the hope of averting the horrors
of war, and those urged in support of the
Government and flag of our country, when
war is being waged against the United States
with the avowed purpose of producing
permanent disruption of the Union, and
permanent destruction of its Government
All hope of COM romise with the Cotton
States was abandoned when they assumed the
position that the separation Of the'U Mon was
complete aud final, and that they would uev-
er consent to a reconstruction in any cOntln-
gency-not even if We would furnish them
with blank sheet of paper and permit them
to inScribe their own terms.
still the hope WAS cherished that reasona-
Die and satisfactory terms Of adjustment could
be agreed upon with Tennessee, North Caro-
lima and the Border States, and that whatev-
er terms would prove satisfactory TO these
loyal States would create Union party in
the Cotton States which would he powerful
enough az the ballot box to destroy the revo-
lutionnry 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, and was never
abandoned unfIl actual war WAS levied at
Charleston, and the authoritative apuouuce-
mcnt made 10y the Revolutionary Govern
mc"t at Montgomery that the Secession flag
should he planted upon the walls of the Cup
itoi at Washington, and a proclamation is
sued Inviting the pirates of the world to prey
! upon the commerce of the United States
These startling facts, taken in connection
with the boasttul announcement that the
ravages Of war and carnage should he quick
| ~ transferred from the cotton fields of the
South to the wheat fields and corn fields of
the North, furnish conclusive evidence that
it was the fixed purpose Of the Seeessionists
utterly to destroy the Government of our
! fathers and oblterate the United States from
the map of the world
la view Of this state Of facts there was but
one path of duty left to patriotic men. 1t
was not party question, nor Il question in
volving paltisnn policy; it was question OF
Government or no Government; country or
no country; and hence it became the impera
tive duty of every Union man, every friend
of Constitutional liberty, to rally to the sup
port of our common country, its Government!
and flag, as the only means of checking the
progress Of revolution and Of preacrs ing the
onion of States.
am unable to answer your questions in
respect to the policy of MIR. Lincoln and his
Cabinet. | am not in their confidence, n
you and the whole country ought to lie
aware. am neither the supporter of the
partisan policy nor the apuloglst of the er-
! rnrs of the Administration. My previous
relations to them remain unchanged bUt
trust the time sill never come when shall
net be willing TO make any needGul sacrifice
! OF personal feeling and party policy for the
honor and integrity Of my country.
know Of no mode 10y which loyal cit
zen mny SO well demonstrate his devotion TO
his country as 10y sustaining the flag, the
Constitution and the Union, under all cir
cumstances and under every Administration,
(rcgardiess Of party poitic-,) aguinst all
sailHuts, 1T home and abroad. The course Of
Clay and Webster toward the Administrator
of Gen. jackson in the days of Nullidcatiou,
presents noble aud worthy example .or all
true patriots At the very moment when
that fearful crisis As precipilatcd upon the
country, partisan strife between Wings and
! Democrats was quite as bitter and relentless
IT. now between Dem Icrnts and Republicans
| lhe gulf which separated party leaders in
those days was quite as broad and deep as
| that " hlch now sepHIates the Democracy and
the Republicans But the moment an enemy
'''S III tII'll l1itel putting tllt hISihe'HDcl-
nent of jhe L uiUn and the destruction OF tie
Government, the voice of partisan strife was
hushrd in patriotic sie ce One of the brig ght-
est chapte15 in the history of our country
will record the fact that during this eventiul
period the great leaders OF the Opposition,
sinking the lGrtisan IL the patriot, rushed TO
the support al the Government, and became
its ahlest and hrnve,t offenders against all
aSsallnuts until the conspiracy was crushed
nni abandoned, when they resumed their
! former positions as party leaders upon poit
ica issues
These acts Of patrolic devotioniave never
been deemed evidences of iufdeity or poIit-
icIl treachery. on the part OF Clay and " Web-
ster to the principles and organization cf'the
Old Wing party. Nor have | any apprehon-
sion that the firm and unanimous support
which the Democratic leaders and masses are
now giving TO the Constitution and the Union
Will he deemed evidences of inidclity to
Democratic principles, or want Of loyalty
to the organization and creed of the Demo-
cratic party. II we hope to regain and per-
petuate the ascendancy of our party, we
| should never foRget that man cannot be a
! trus Democrat unless he is loyal patriot.
Nilh the sincere hope that these my cor
sciculioUs convictions may coincide with
! - y >
STEPHEN a. DOUGLAS.
To N3GGIL IlIcox, E-o, Chairman State
Democratic Committee.
a TALv WIFI Pony Express RIDER
The Grass Valley National makes The follow
ing interesting statement
We had few moments conversation the
other Gay, with one of those daring, hardy
! fellows who are employed as riders on the
pony express route, riding from the Goose
Greek mountains into the sink Of the Car:on
"a distance of lO4 miles-ahout che longest
route on the road. II describes his life there
in the following manner, which may be taken
as IA fair sample for the rest. Each rider is
in possession Of and has the absolute control
over the horses on his beat. ard all the trap
pings thereto He has them kept in the best
# 4 L- 1 stnt;