The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-02-06
Where Douglas Would Stand,


las was called before the Illinois Legislature to
deliver his views in regard to the duty of the
people of his state in the alarming crisis to
which the affairs of the nation had lust been
brought Although Mr.. Douglas had but a
month before, in the Senate of the United
States, expressed his unaterable conviction that
"War is disunion, certain and inevitable, final
and irrevocable," he now felt it to be his duty
to sustain the Government against the attempt
of armed rebellion to overturn it, not because
he had changed his mind in regard to the result
of civil war, but, if possible, to preserve the
Constitution inviolate in the loyal states and to
prevent anarchy and political confusion until
a proper settlement of our national difficulties
could be effected. The address delivered by
him, on the occasion referred to, was the last
public speech that ever fell from his lips. A few
days after its delivery, he was taken sick with
his last illness, and in short time afterwards
died. Hadhe lived, some things in this address,
seized upon with such great avidity by the Alb
olitionists, would have been explained by their
author in such a manner as would have estop.
ped the lifelong enemies Of Mr. Douglas and
81 OF his country, from using them to deceive and
defraud credulous but honest and well-neaninr
Democrats. Had he lived, no man would have
dared to comfort single sentence ever uttered
by him, into any sort of endorsement of Lin
coins Administration. But the lion was dead
and even the most timid donkey could trample
with impunity over his lifeless remains. His
tongue was dumb in death, and Abolitonism.
unchecked, could bray itself hoarsa in noisng
abroad false interpretations of his uttorances.
But, ssTime'sets all things even;" and as if the
spirit Of the dead Douglas had entered into the
language of his last address, and, like the sword
of the cherubim, guarded it against the sacri-
legious touch of those who once perverted its
meaning, the Abolitonsts dare not now pub
lish or refer TO this final exposition of the views
of the departed statesman. In this memorable
address Mr. Douglas said
81 think can appeal to friend and foe-I
use it in political sense, and l trust use the
word foe in a past tense-I can appeal to them
with confidence, that have never pandered to
the prejudice or passion of my section against
the minority section of this Union, and will say
to you now, with all frankness and in all SINGER
lty, that aciU acrer sanction nor dcquieSce IN any
soartne WlatecsH apon the constitutional rights
or domestic Institutions Of the people Of tile ,Souti-
ern States. On the contrary, if there was an
attempt to invade those rights, to STIR uo seroile
,aSarrectiOn among Their peop!e, I UouM rush to
Their rescue, anil interfere icth 'otatever Of strength
might possess to defend them from snch q caltn,-
ity."--DougIas' address before tie Illinois Legsta-
ture, Ap'R 27h, 1861.
Now, mark you, these very sentiments were
quoted by the abolitionists, Gust after the war
had broken out) as sound and patriotic. These
traitors to their own platform then pretended
that they had no intention of interfering with
the domestic institutions of the South and even
had the shameless cfrontery to assure the people
that they endorsed these views Of Mr. Douglas.
Is it any wonder that they now shun this speech
SO often quoted by them, as they would deadly
plague They have interfered with and are now
attempting to destroy the domestic institutions
of the South. Their President has attempted
ito stir up servilc insurrection, and the very
army which Douglas helped to raise is comman-
ded not to put down such an insurrcction. They
know that these last words of Douglas fully
Justify the present position of the Democratic |
party and condemn that occupied by them
selves.
"TnE AGE."-We print in this issue, the
prospectus of 'eThe Age" Democratic daily
and weekly newspaper, to be published in Phil
adelphia, by Messrs. A. J. Glossbrenner Fran
els j. Grund and w. H. Welsh. ''The Age"
we doubt not, will be very ably conducted, and
will fully supply want long felt by the Dem
ocrats of this State, viz: that of reliabIe, firm
and able Democratic morning paper in Ph;la-
delphia. Mr. Glossbrenner, the senior propri- |
etor, has been long and favorably known, in the |
politics OF the country, and was for many
years, Sergeant at Arms of the National House
of Representatives Mr. Grnnd is writer of
great vigor and possesses literary qualifications
OF very high order. Mr.. Welsh was former
~ Speaker OF the Senate, and, until recently,
chairman OF the Democratic State Committee
we bespeak for "The Age" favorable recep-
ton by all who desire good Democratic morn
ing daily and hope that it will be literally pat
ron'zed. For terms, &c, see prospcctusi in our
advertising columns, d I.