Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-10-28

"Why 40 the Men toho Reuilsd Hin ,Ohile Liuino
Mi'rtpYesent Him when Dead?"
l8rom the Detroit Free Press.1
Among the earliest symptoms of that disre.
gard for Constitution and laws which the
rsdicals now openly avow, was their sttempt 10
mob Stephen A. Douglas In the city of Chicago.
Everybody remembers that wicked attempt, aud
how bravely he barred bis breast to the crowd OF
infuriated fanatics who would have violated the
institutions OF the country by taking his life, in
order to deprive him Of freedom OF speech. Il
was remarkable event in the history of this
country, and will be dwelt upon by the bi istorian
as one OF the first struggles Of that party which
afterward went to the polls under the watch.
cry oil freedom, free homes and free men. II
was one OF the most disgraceful episodes of a
disgraceful and turbulent era In our historv--
the first time, during the present generation at
least, In which Senator of the United States.
giving en- account Of bis Stewardship, was In.
terrupted by mob violence.
That event is now far in the past-fsr be-
cause the crowded and exciting scenes of the
last eight years separate US from il, vet 10 the
memory OF the majority Of living men IL ia as
fresh as the turmoil and suffering of the war
Douglas, living, was mobbed by mixed crowd
or Aboiitionists and negroes. Douglas, dead
is dWarted into an Abolition saint and made the
object OF perverted worship which he would
have loathed to the last minute of his life.-
his dying message to his children was, "Tell
them to obey the Constitution" His last
speeches all breathed adherence Of q servile
war, oil denounced the overthrow of the Con.
stitution In order to crush the rebellion, all de-
manoeo that hossilities should be conducted
against the South In accordance with the rules
civilization A ia tan hall H.. III
out hesitation, as all his followers did. TO the
rescue Of his country when Fort Sumpter felJ,
true that he said there were but two parties N
the conflict with the rebels-patriots and trait.
ore; but never, by word or deed, did he ever
admit that any man was patriot who did moi
respect the Constitution and seek to carry or
the war in accordance with its provisions. Jt
never countenanced the 'blOod letters" the
"guilloEine" fancierS. In his loyal spirit the
monstrous idea of determination, OF revenge
and OF negro war, never found favor. He was
Tor welding the immense resources of the
country vigorously against the rebellion, but be
never dreamed that the Government could have
any strength or power outside OF the Constitu
tion, and he knew that that instr lment gave the
Government power enough TO carry on the war
Why, then, do the men who reviled him Will,
living, misrepresent him when dead? Was h
not bad enough to mob him, to slander him, Il
accuse him of public crimes and private vices
Ia their cause really 80 desperate that it is aid.
ed by following him to his grave and tor.uring
bis strong name into power of strength to
doctrines which he abhorred and opposed TO the
last instant of his life2 "Tell them to obey
the Constitution" Why are not these lasi
words in the mouths of the Chambers. Greeleys
Wades, Blairs, and of all the pack who libeied
his living fame, but who now profess to wor.
ship him7 In that one sentence is the creed Of
his entire political career. He knew no othel
guide for statesman than the Constitution, ant
his very bones would struggle from the tomb il
he knew that his teachings were perverted, ant
his noble efforts to unite the North against th,
rebellion used to prop the falling fortunes of
faction which he always deemed dangerous Il
his country.