Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-05-02
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7
EDTroRs APPEAL; This gentleman, IL seems,
made speech the other day befor. The legis-
lature Of bis state, the tone and character Of
which ars saaicient to destroy forever the high
character which be has heretofore eaioved.
He charges The southern people With waging
war OF extsrminstion against the Govern
mens-With obstructing the free navigation OF
The Mississippi river, shutting out the North
western States from access to the gulf, aad
with medltsting the invasion Of the free States
and destroying and crushing their liberties
In view Of all which, he eslls upon them In
tones Of well feigned patriotism 10 arm, and
enter the war. A war, too, which be has tue
impudence to call war Of defense. II one half
Of what the Senator lays to the charge Of the
Southern States were true,I should net blame The
people Of the Northwestern States In prepar.
ing fer the war, and entering it, too, with
determination 10 maintain their rights on fan
in The attempt. Butthe whole batch Of charges
90 ersvely urged bv the Senator is false. Zach
and every one Of them are untrue, and Senator
Douglas kpeW them to be 90 when he uttered
them He is too well informed Of the current
events Of the day to have uttered them in ig-
norsnee. He knew they were false. and why
be stated them, It is hard TO determine,
unless Il arose from a wicked design 10
inhame the public mind, and gain posi-
uon FOR himself with bis ancient political
foes. Senator Douglas knew. when be made
kis sps y, that the Constitution Of the Con-
federate States had expressly provided for the
free navigation Of the Mississippi river. He
knew that neither the Congress at Montge-
mery, nor The legislature Of = single Southern
State had ever done, or sanctioned, 2 single
act to impede the free transit Of persons OF
goods up or down the river, OF that could IN TIE
least degree binder the cutie TO The Gulf from
the Northwestern Ststes- he knew that the
seizure Of some Cincinnati boats BY the people
OF Arkansas was the unauthorized act Of indi-
vidusls, done in retaliation FOR the seizure OF
goods Of the people OF Arkansas BY those Of
Cincinnati, and that even IL tbe government Of
Arkansas were disposed TO sanction II, there
had rot been time for them t. have taken
action on ths subject. It is not true that the
Confederate States required the citizens Of Illi-
nois to pay tribute az the mouth of the Missis-
sissippi and Mr.. Douglas knew that when he
asserted She contrary. Il is not tru5 that the
Southern States mediate any invasion Of the
soil OF assault upon the liberties OF the people
OF Illinois; aud the Senator knew that he was
making a false impression when he so STATED.
be knew then, and be knows now, that all that
the Southern States demand Is to be let alone
free to form their own Government and make
their own laws. All this Senator Douglas
knew, and yet in the face Of these facts he
attempts TO iEfsme the minds of the people Of
Illinois against The South BY persu aiding them
that we deny them the free navigation Of the
Mississippi, obstruct them IN their transit to
and from The gulf, and levy tribute upon them
at this great gateway 70 The world: that we
mediate invasion Of their soil and over
threw Of tbeir freedom. Surely She Senator
has forgotten bis former high character. and /
has gone far down into the arts Of fhs Lowest
dem8gOgue. II does seem, from The whole Of
bis speech, that the Senator had 10 other de- !
sign than 10 infsme The public mind Of ILL.,
noig against the Southern StsieE, and 10 do .
that be was wiling to resort to the vile {
arts Of the slandersT and false witness. II I
there is anything more reasonable aud simple /
than the demand Of the people Of State Of the I
right 70 form their own government and make /
their oWE laws, am inca Fable Of conceiying 4
it; ana II there is anything more wicked aud I
vile than the attempt 70 subdue ard reduce 4
free people 10 subsection, il is The miserable /
and vile arts Of the scou1drel TO inhams them I
against each other. and involve them in blood I
shed and war. All that the Southern States f.
demand is to Be allowed 10 frame their ova I
Government and make their own laws. This f.
right theT inherited from their forsfathers aud /
they VIII surrender it only with life. They I.
mediate the invasion Of no state. thew court I
war With 10 one They are rsadvto deal up01 4
terms Of Justice and fsiraers with all This
liberty they claim, and II in the exercise Of &c /
war comes, why, then let it come, and God de- /
fend the right. z