, 1861-01-04
Political.

The following extract is taken from Sen
Lator Douglass letter to the citizens Of New
Orleans, dated at that city, 18th Novem-
Der. His remarks, while they arc patri-
otic rand conservative, give Nu excellent
| idea of the manner in which our institu-
IGons eau be preserved, even supposing that
Mr.. Lincoln we're TO stand upon a sectional
construction of our constitution and laws:
Assuming, therefore, that the Southern
people and their Senators and Representa-
tiyes deem their rights and institutions en-
] tirelv safe under the Constitution and laws
as they now stand, aud only desire to be
let alone, without any interference by Con.
gress with their domestic concerns, the
question arises whether Mr.. Lincoln and
his party will have the power, even if they
have the disposition to disturb or impair
the rights and institutions Of the South,
either in the States or Territories, or in
the District Of Columbia. They certainly
cannot do it under the existing laws. Will
they have the power to repeal or change
these laws, or to enact~others! 1t is well
known that they will be in q minority in
both Houses of Congress, with the Supreme
Court against them In the northern
States there have been elected already a
sufficient number of Democratic members
of Congress, bold and true national men,
pledged to the Cincinnati platform and the
doctrine Of non Intervention by Congress
with the question of slavery in the States
and Territories, and the District of Colum-
bia, who, added to the Southern Repre-
sentatives, will give at least twenty majority
against Mr.. Lincoln and his party on all
these questions. Iu the Senate, there is
also decided and reliable majority. Hence
no bill eau pass either House of Congress,
impuirng or disturbing the rights or insti-
tutions Of the Southern people, in any
manner whatever, unless u portion Of the
Southern Senators and Representatives
absent themselves, 50 as 10 girs an aJolitioH
majority in consequence of their a6fsae
In minority in both Houses OF f>Con-
gress, with the Supreme Court to expound
the laws aud restrain all illegal aud uncon-
stiiutional acts, tie President will be ut
terly powerless for evil, If he should have
the disposition to do wrong. Even in the
distribution Of the patronage, he would be
dependent upon the Senate for the confr.
nation of his nominees to Office, so that
he cannot appoint bad man to Office with
out tue consent of those in whom the
South confides A partisan President,
thus tied hand and foot, powerless for good
or evil, without consent and support of
his political opp It's, should be the object
of pity and cOmihiseralion rather Than OF
fear and apprehension, by brave and
chivalrous people. What good or harm
can he do to anybody, except to humble
the pride and wound the seusiblities of a
large portion of the American people by
occupying the chair once filled by Wash
ington, Jefferson, Madison and jackson?
Does this act furnish sufficient cause for
destroying the best Government of which
the history of the world gives an example?
Four years will soon pass away, when the
ballot box will furnish peaceful, legal
aud constitutional remedy for all the evils
aud grievances with which the country may
be afflicted"