The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-23
For Douglas Democrats.

A friend of Senator Douglas has handed
to the National lntelligenccr for publication
copy of letter from him, written in May
last, on the state of the country, from which
the following extract will DO read with gen.
eral interest
"H seems that some of my friends are una
be 10 comprehend The difference betireen orgu-
ments used in faror of an equitable oomprom-
Use, cith The hope of druting The horrors Of
irar, and those urged in support of the Gov.
eminent and the flag Of our country, ,chen
The ,rdr is being ragged against The u. States
,ciih the dro,ced purpose Of producing per-
mdnent disruption Of The Union, and a total
destruction Of its Government.
All hope Of compromise with the Cotton
States was abandoned when they assumed the
position that the separation of the Union
was complete and final, and that they would
never consent to reconstruction in any
contingency-not eren zoe ,rouid furnish
them nth biank sheet Of paper aud permit
them 10 inscriJe their oun FERNS.
Still the hope was cherished that reasons
bic and satisfactory terms Of adjustment
could DO agreed upon with Tennessee. North
Carolina and the border States, and that
whatever terms would prove satisfactory to
these loyal States would create Union party
in the cotton States, which would DO power
ful enough ut the ballot.box to destroy the
revolutionary 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 until war was levied at
Charleston and the authoritative announce
ment made by the revolutionary government
ut Montgomery, that the secession flag should
be planted upon tho walls of the capitol ut
Washington, and proclamation issued inri'
ting The pirates of The tcorid TO prey upon IA,
commerce of the United States.
These startling facts, in connection with
tho boastlul announcement that the riyagc'
of war and carnage should be quickly trans
lerred from the cation fields of the South "a
tho wheat fields and corn fields Of the North
furnish conclusive evidence that IL was The
fired purpose Of The seoessionists utferiyto de-
siroy The Government Of our Fathers, and Oh.
hterate the United STATES from The map Of The
,corid.
In view of this state Of facts there ,cds bul
one path Of duty len 10 patriotic men. ltwa'
not party question, nor question inyoly'
ing partisan policy; huds a question of gop
erRment or no government; country or no
country; and hence 1t became the imperative
duty OF every Union man, every friend OF
constitutional liberty, to rally to the support
of our common country. its government and
flag, as the only means of checking the prog
ress Of revolution, and Of preserving the Un-
ion of States.
am unable to answer your questions IN
respect to the policy OF Mr.. Lincoln and Cab
met. | am not in their confidence, as you
and the whole country ought to be aware
| am neither the supporter of the partisan
policy nor the apologist of the Adminis,ra.
ton. My previous relations to them remain
unchanged; but trust the time will never
come when shall not be ,cihing 10 make any
needfM sacrifice Of personal feeling and party
policy for tho honor and integrity Of my
country"