The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-02-18
stephen \. Douglas on the Cause aud Er-
feet of the Rcbcllion-A Letter from
Thomas u. Bryan. Esq.


BENNN HAIL, CmCAGo, january 20
povGtNs nEMoCRArs Observing that the
Hon. +. 4. Eastman, Rcpresentive from this
city, has recently reported the prediction of
Stephen A. Douglas, uttered in his hearing,
and addressed to Southern men, to the effect
that the rebellion would result in the over
throw of slavery; aud the accuracy OF Go. .
Eastman's recollection being called in qucs-
ton, deem 1t due TO truth to add my hum
hlo testimony to that conviction of the la.
mcnted Senator.
II happened that in behalf of Chicago, the
duty waS assigned mo of delivering the
welcome address TO that patriotic statesman
on the occasion ot his last return to Chicago
and indeed of tho last public appearance .r
his life On the way to the great Wigwam,
devoted to his reception, the conversation
naturally turned upon the rebellion, aud al.
though do not remember, and do not pro,
fess to quote his exact words, | do re.
member, and never shall forget their earn
est purpose. In his wontcd tersc and en-
phauc language, he declared that the lead
ing politicians of the SOUTH the southern
conspirators, as he more thai, once called
called them--wCrc alone responsible for the
war and for the political suicide of the
South, aud OF slavery, which it would in-
NolNe No man ever uttered n more scnth-
ing denunCjatiOn of these arch-traitors than
then fell from the lips of Judge Douglas.
No aIlusion, direct or indirect, was made
to Abolitonists, but the entire infamy OF
the causcIess and accursed revolt was placed
where it belonged, and ina far different lat
ltude from that assigned to itby some more
modern historians.
And from the speech delivered by him
g., n
make the following extracts, which may be
regarded us the dying uttcrances of the pa
triot, who, II few weeks thereafter. laid in
this building in pomp, but in the cold en-
brace of death, TO receive the last homage
of more than hundred thousand friends:
"The return VIC received is war, armies marched
upon our Capital, obstructions and dangers to our
navigation, letters of marquc to invite pirates to
prey upon our commerce., u concerted movement to
blot out the United States of America from the map
OF the globe. The question is; are we to maintain
the country of our fathers, allow il to be stricken
down by those who, when they can re longer gov
crn, threaten to drStrOv2
d" The slavery question is a mere excuse The
election of Lincoln is amere preteXt The present
secession movement is the result of enormous
conspiracy formed more than a wear since formed
by leaders in the Southern Contcderacy more than
twelve months ago,
"But this is no time tor detail Of causes. The
conspiracy Is now known Armies have been raised
warts levied to accomplish it. There are only two
sides To the question. Every man must be tor the.
United States or aguinstit. There can be no ncu-
trails in this war; o"iy puuriots-or b,Gtors."
Such is the inControvortibc testimony of
the great champion of the Democratic party
to the true origin and tho inevitable cf-
feet of the rebellion. And is it not as man
itesty opposed to the assertions OF some
OF his proIcssed followers now as is their
present attitude toward the Government OPP
posed to that which rendered the close of
his life llustrious for patriotism?
THOMAS g. BRYAN