The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-15
The last speech ~ stephen A.
Douglas, delivered IN ationnI
Hail. thiCngo, aiuy {, 1861.
IENTBACTs

lExTRAors.lh g.
Igiil not conceal nv qualification at
the ineontroveriiblc testimony which this
vast asscmblage presents thai howevef the
difference Of opinion hn political topics
and partisan questions may have divided
US, yet you all have a conviction that
when the country would be in danger
my loyalty may be relied on.
have NOT oaly rendered to these dis
coniented States full and ample Justice,
but ! have goHe further TO the utmost ex-
tfemity Of magnanimity and generosity.
The return that we have received is war
upon the Governmtnb mafching of hos
tile armies 70 reduce our national capital.
the destruction Of the great father of
waters, the issuing Of letters of maraue
70 pirates 70 commit depredations on our
commeree onthe high seas, and con
certed movement TO blot out the United
States OF America from the map of the
world. The simple question is whether
we will maintain the Government estab-
hshed by our fathers, or allow it TO be
stricken down by those who when they
can no longer govern, endeayor to destroy
it.
p There has not been day, from the time
when George Washington was inaugural
ed President of the United States, down
TO this moment when the rights of the
Southern States stood frmer under the
laws of the land than they do to-day.
There has never been time when those
States have not had rs good cause for
disuuion as they have to-day.
ask what excuse can these disuniOn-
lists of. The South urge for their scheme
TO break up this Government? The
slavery question is a mere excuse. The
election of Mr.. Lincoln Is mere prelext.
| The present Secession movement is the
result Of tremendous, enormous con-
spiracy, formed more than year ago.
! (Cheers.) This conspiracy 10 break up
the Union was formed by the leaders in
| the Southern Conledsracy more than
! twelve months ago. The use the slavery
I7quesiion as mtanS TO accomplish their
| desired ends. = -
This is not a time to 20 into discus
sion 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 if. There can be but two sides
to the controversy. Erey man mustJe on
the side Of The United States on agaiust H.
There can be no neutrals in this war
There can be none but patriots and trail
tors Thank God Illinois will not DO
4 divided on that question. know that
they have expected to present united
South against a divided North. The
cons traitors have been led 20 the hope
that, in the Northern States il will be a
party question, producing civil war be-
\ tween Democrats and Republicans, and
the South being united, could step in
with their legions and help to destroy the
other, and then conquer the victor Their
scheme was bloOd-sbed, and all the hOr-
rOrs of civil war in every Northern
State There is but ono way TO prevent il
united action on the part of Illinois
closing up thcranks renders it impossible
that war shall rage on our soil.
repeat that so long as ii was possible
to settle this question by peaceable means,
| was willing TO make any reasonable
sacrifices for that purpose, but when the
question comes whether the war shall be
transferred from the cotton fields of the
South TO the corn fields of Illinois, |
choose 10 say the further off the war the
better.
Whoever is not pre-
pared to sacrifice party organizations and
platforms on the altar of his country does
not deserve the support and countenance
of honest people, How are we to over
come partisan anipathies in the minds
Of men Of all parties so as TO present a
united front in the support of our coun
try? We must cease discussing party
issues, make no allusion to old party
tests, have no elimination and rccrimi.
nations, indulge in no taunts one against
another as to who has been the cause O
I these troubles
When we shall have rescued the Gov
renment and country from its perils, anC
seen its flag floating in triumph owe
every inch of American soil, il will ther
be time enough to inquire as to who and
what has brought these throuhles upoI
= us. When we shall have a country ant
agoyernment for our children to live il
peace and happiness, il win be time TO
each of us to return TO our party banner
l according TO our convictions of right ant
duty. Let him be marked as no tru
patriot who will not abandon all sucl
y issues in timps like those