The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-10-15
Last Counsel OF Douglas.

Last Counsel OF Douglas
Below we republish the principal por-
tons of the letter of the late Senator
Douglas, written on the 10th day of May,
lS60-the last letter be ever wrote
What bitter commentary it is upon the
conduct of those who once professed to be
his friends and who still assert that they
are Democrats. Let Douglas decide
whether they ara or not. Let true Dem
ocrats read and ponder what he says:
In view of this state of facts there was
but one path of duty left to patriotic men.
1t was not party question, nor ques-
ton involving partisan policy; it was a
question Of Government or no Govern
ment. country or no country; and hence
it became the imperative duty of every
Union man. every friend of constitutional
liberty, to rally TO the support of our COM
mon country, its Government and flag, as
the only means Of checking the pfogress
of the revolution and of preserving the
union of the States.
| am unable TO answer your question as
to the policy of Mr.. Lincoln and bis Cabi-
net. | am not in their confidence, as you
aud the country ought to be aware. !
am neither the supporter Of the partisan
policy nor apologist for the errors Vt the
Administration. My previous re lalions
remain unchanged but | trust th time
will never come when | shall not b G will
ing to make any sacrifice Of personal
feeling and party feeling and party poll
CT for the honor and integrity of my
country.
| know OF no mode by which loyal
citizen may so well demonstrate his loyal
II TO his country, as by sustaining the
| flag, the Constitution and the Union, un-
der all circumstances and under every Al
ministration, ,regardless Of party politics
/ against all assailants. at home and abroad +.
+ The course Of Clay and Webster toward
| the Administration OF Gen. Jackson, in
the days Of Notification. presents no.
bic and worthy example for all true pa
| tri0ts.
At the very moment when that fearful
crisis was precipitatel upon the country,
paftizan strife between Wings and Demo
crats was quite as bitter and relentless as
now between Democrats and Republicans
| The gulf which separated party leaders in
those days was quite a. broad and deep az
that which now separates the Democracy
from the Republicans. But the moment
an enemy arose in our midst, plotting tbs
dismemberment of tie Union and the dc
struction of the government, the voice d
partizah strife was hushed 10 patriotic 81
lence. One of the brightest chapters il
} the history OF our country will record th'
fact that during this eventtu period th'
great leaders of the Opposition, tinkin:
the partizan IN the patriot, rushed to tht
support Of the Government aud becam
: its ablest and bravest defenders agains
; a. a-sailants, until the conspiracy wa
crushed and abandoned, when they re
turned to their positions as party leader
upon political issues.
These acts of patriotic devotion hav
; never been deemed evidences Of iaadtlIt
: ur political treachegy, On the part of Ola
and Webster. TO the principle and orgar
lzstion of the old Wing party. Nor hav
| any apprehension that the firm au
unanimous support which the DeIhoerati
leaders and masses are DOW givin to tn
Constitution and the Union will ever
!. deemed evidence Of inhdelity I'd Den'
! cratic principles, or'wsnt Of loyalty to Il
organization and creeds of the De mocra
. ic party. II We hope to regain atd pc
q petuate the ascendency of our party. v
j. should never forget that man cannot
! true Democrat unless be is loyal P
!, trioi.
" With the sincere hope that these. n
r convictions, may coincide with those
10 my friends, | am, very truly, yours,
,f STEPHEN A. Dot IGLAs'
% To Virgil Hickox, Esq, Chair man
State Democratic Committee.