The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-09-04
The Last Speech of Stephen A.
Douglass, Delivered in National
Hall, Chicago, May l, 1862.


1 will not conceal my qualification at
the incontrovertible testimony which
this vast assemblage presents, that
however differences Of opinion on DO.
litical topics and partisan questions
may have divided us, yet you all have a
conviction that when tho country would
be in danger my loyalty may be relied
upon.se - 4 IS
l have not only rendered to these
discontented States full and ample
justice, but have gone further-to the
utmost extremity of magnauimity and
generosity. The return that we have
received is war upon the Government,
the marching ofhostile armies, to reduce
our national capital, the destruction. Of
our commerce on the great. father Of
waters, the issue Of letters of marque to
pirates to commit depreciation on our
commerce on the high seas, and con-
certed movement to blot out the United
States of America from the map ofthe
world. The simple question is whether
we will maintain the Government
established by our fathers, or allow it to
be stricken down by those who when
they can no longer govern endeavor to
destroy it. x Il X x &
There has not been day, from the
time when George Washington was in.
augurated as the first President of the
United States, down to this moment,
when the rights of the Southern States
stood irmer under the laws of the land
than they do to day, There has never
been a time when those States have not
had as good cause for disunion as they
have to day. x X X X x
ask what excuse can these disuniou-
lists of the South urge for their scheme to
break up this Government? The
slavery question is mere excuse.
The election Of Mr.. Lincoln is a mere
pretext. The present secession move
ment is the result of q tremendous, enor-
nous conspiracy, formed more than o
year ago. (Cheers.) This conspiracy
to break up this Union, was formed by
the leaders in the Southern Confedercy
more than twelve months ago: They
use the slavery question as a means to
accomplish their desired ends. 4
This is not a time to 60 into q dis
cussion of the causes that have produced
these results. The conspiracy to break
up the Union is fact now known to
all. Armies are being raised and war
levied to accomplish it. There can bo
but two sides to the controversy.-
EVERY MAN MUST BE on THE SIDE OF
THE UNITED STATES OR AGAINST 1T.
There can be no neutrals in this war.
There can be none but patriots and
traitors. Thank God Illinois will not
be divided on that question. know
= that they have expected to present a
united South against divided North.
! The conspirators have been led to the
hope that, in the Northern States, it
would be party question, producing
civil war between Democrats and Re-
= publicans, and the South being united,
could step in with their. legions and
q help to destroy the other, and then
c conquer the victor. Their scheme was
l.. ~
;. loodshed, and all the horrors Of civil
| war in every Northern State! There is
one way to prevent it;-united notion
on the part of Illinois; closing up the
It ranks, renders it impossible that war
shall rage on our soil. go ',t
I repeat that SO long as it was pos.
= sible to settle this question by peaceable
r means, was willing to make any rea-
6 sonablo sacrifice for that purpose, but
n when the question comes whether the
war shall be trans fercd from the cotton
fields of the South to the corn6elds Of
. Illinois, | choose to say that the further
' off the war the better. ......
:, 4 < x Whoever is not pre-.
:, pared to sacrifice party organizations
and platforms on the altar of his country
! does not deserve the support or eouute-
nance of honest people. How are we to
overcome partisan autipathies in tho
minds of men Of all parties SO as to
present united front in support of our
country? We must cease discussing
party issues, make no allusions to old
party tests, have no ordinations aud
recriminations, indulge in no taunts
" one against another as to who has been
= the cause of these troubles. 91H
When we shall have rescued the gov.
ut orument and country from its perils,
ld and seen its flag floating in triumph
&C over every inch OfAmerican soil, it will
a then be time enough to inquire as to
he who and what has brought these troubles
he upon us. Whom We shall h5ve a-coun,
he try and government for odr childrsu
mt to live in peace aud happiness, it will be
ms time for each ofus to return TO our par
). ty banners aocordipglto our convictions
o.