The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-10
Prem the Chicago Tribune.
SENATOR DOUGLAS SPEECH.
BEFORE THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE,
April 25th, 1861.

The two Houses met in joint session at Z
o'clock. The hall was densely crowded.
Judge Douglas was introduced by Speaker
Cullom, and was received with rapturous ap-
plause. He said
"For the first time since the adoption OF
the Federal Constitution, widespread con-
spiracy exists to overthrow the best govern
ment the sun of heaven ever shonc upon
An invading army is marching upon WASH
ington. The boast has gone forth iron the
Secretary Of War Of the so-called Conied-
crate States that by the first Of May the Fed
eral army will be in possession Of the Ma.
tional Capital, and by the first OF July Its
head quarters will bc in old Independence
Hall.
The only question for us is whether we
shall wait supinely for the invaders, or rush
az one man to the defence Of that which we
hold most dear? tremendous cheering d
Piratical flags are aaoat on the ocean under
pretended letters of marque. Our great RI
yer has been closed to the commerce. Ot the
Northwest. Texas has been levied upon us
without our being consulted or represented
in the premises. So long us a hope remained
for peace, plead and implored for comproo-
mise. Now that all else has failed, there Is
but one course left, and that Is to rally us
one man under the flag Of Washington. Jef-
ftrson, Hamilton, Madison and Franklin
At what time, since the Government was Or
canizcd, have the constitutional rights OF
the South been more secure than nowi For
the first time since the Constitution was
adopted, there is no legal restriction against
the sIread of slavery in tho Territorles.-I
When was the fugitive slave law more faith
fully executed? What single act has been
done 10 Justify this mad attempt to over
throw the Republic? We arc told that be-
cause certain party has carried Presi
Dental election. therefore the South choose
to consider their liberties insecure! / had
supposed it was fundamental principle oil
American institutions, that the will OF the
majority, constitutionally expressed, should
govern. (Applause.) II q defeat at the
ballot-box is to justify rebellion, the future
history of the United States may DO read IN
the past history Of Mexico. Are wo to in.
aururate the Mexican system in the United
States? Suppose the disunion candidates
had been elected by constitutional means,
and the Republicans had been found rebel
ling against tho rightful authorities, you
would have found me rendering to John Z.
Breckinridge my best efforts to crush them
to the earth.
Tho first duty Of every citizen is to render
obedience to the National Constitution and
laws.
Most of you know that am q very good
fighter in times of partizan strife. l hope
to show you all that am IN equally good
patriot in the time of my country's danger.
It is now your imperative duty to throw par
ty and party platforms to the winds, forget
that YOU ever differed. Give me country
where my children can live in peace, and
then we can have theatre If we desire for
partizan controversies.
Weure called upon to fold our arms and
sec our Capital seized, our archives carried
away by those who glory in tramplinS the
American flag in the dust. Illinois and my
native State would say to-day that II had
committed an error in my political career, 1t
has consisted in leaning too far towards the
South. have never paEdered to the preju-
dces of the North against the minority Sec
ton. While will never invade the Con-
stitutional rights of the South, nor sanction
their invasion by others, want them dis
tinctly to understand that they must not in
wade my constitutional rights. loud Cheer
ing)
1t is prodigious crime against the free
dom OF the world, to attempt to blot the
United States out OF the map of Christen-
dom. What do we see? Washington to be
bombarded The President Of the United
States and his Cabinet, elected and appoint
ed to their places by the same authority as
George Washington and his constitutional
advisers, to be carried of as hostages the
very demon of destruction to be let loose in
the land How long do you think 1t will
be ere the guilotine is in operation? Allow
me to say to my former political enemies, you
will not be true to your country IL you seek
to make political capital out Of these disas-
tiers, (applause) and to my old friends, you
will be false and unworthy OF your prinei.
Piles. IL you allow political defeat to convert
you into traitors to your national land The
shortest way now to peace consists IN the
most stupendous and unanimous preparations
for war! (Vociierous cheering.)
regard what have salu rs tne s.uues'
duty of my lie. IL war must come, let us
SO conduct it that we may be justified In the
sight Of Him who holds the universe in tho
hollow Of Ills hand. Whatever we do must
be the result Of our solemn convictions OF
duty-duty that we owe to posterity and to
the world.
Gentlemen, IT is our duty to defend our
Constitution and protect our flag.