The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-08-08
AUGUST 1862.
Extracts from the Last Speech of
Stephen A. Douglas, Delivered in
National Hall, Chicago, May lst, 1861.

NauonaI Hall, Chlcago, may. ISL, lool'
will not conceal my qualification Mt the
incontrovertible testimony which this vast
presents, thai, however ditidr.
euces Of opinion on political topics and
partizan questions may have divided us,
yet you all have conviction that, when
The country would be in danger, my 10y.
atty may be relied upon.
l have not only rendered to these dis
conicnted States full and ample justice,
but have gone turther,to the utmost ex-
tremity Of magnanimity and generosity.
The return that we have received is war
upon the Government, the marching OF
hostile armies 10 reduce our national cap
itai, the destruction our commerce on the
the great father Of waters, the issue OF
letters Of marque to pirates to commit dep
reda:ions on our commerce on The hlgh
seas, and q concerted movement TO blot
out the United States Of America from
the map Of the world. The simple ques-
lion is whether we will maintain the Gov
ernment established by our fathers,or al
low it to be stricken down By those who,
when they can no longer govern 'endeavor
10 destroy it.
There has not been a day, from the
time when George Washington was in.
Rugurated as the first 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 a
time when those States have not had as
good cause for disunion 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 sla-
very question is a mere excuse. The
election OF Mr.. Lincoln is q mere preteXt.
The present secession movement is the
result Of tremendous, enormous con-
spiracy, formed more than year ago
lCheers.) This conspiracy to break up
this Union was formed by the leaders in
the Southern Confederacy more than
twelve months ago. They use the slavery
question as a means to accomplish their
desired ends.
This is not a time TO 60 into discuss
ION 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 be but two
sides to the controversy. EVERY MAN
MUST BE ON THE SIDE OF THE UNITED
STATES OR AGAINST 1T. There can be nc
neutrals in this war.
There can be but patriots and traitors
Thank God Illinois will not be divided
on that question. know that they have
expected to present united South against
divided North. The conspirators have
been led TO hope that, in the Northern
States, it would be party question, pro-
ducing civil war between Democrats and
Republicans, and the South being united,
could step in with their legions and help
20 destroy The other, and then conquer the
victor. Their scheme was bloodshed,
and all the horrors Of civil war in every
Northern State There is one way to pre-
vent it united action on the part Of Iii.
nois closing up the ranks renders it i'm
possible that war shall rage on our soil
repeat, that so long as it was possible
to settle this question by peaceabe means
] was willing to make any reasonable sac
rifce for that purpose, but when the ques
tion comes whether the war shall be trans
ferred from the cotton fields of the Sout
to the corn6elds of Illinois, choose TO sa
that the further off the war the better.
Whoever is not pre-
pared to sacrifice party organizations anc
platforms on the altar OF his country, doe
not deserve the support and countenanc'
of honest people. How are we TO over
come partizan antipathes in the minds, o
men OF all pariies,so as to present n uniteC
front in support OF our country? We mus
cease discussing party issues, make no al
luSions TO old party tests, have no crimi
nations and recriminatons-indulge in NJ
taunts, one against another. as to who ha
been the cause of these troubles.
When we shall have rescued the gov
ernment and country from its perls, an
seen its flag floating in triumph over ever
inch of American soil, it will then be tim
enough to inquire as TO who and what ha
brought these troubles upon US. Whe
We shall have country and a govern
ment for our children to live in peace an
happiness, it will be time for each OF ,
TO return to our party banners accordin
TO our convictions OF right and duty. j.
him be marked ms no true patriot who W
not abandon all such issues in times Ill
this.