Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-09-11


the National Intelligencer for publication a copy
ofthe following letter from him on the condition
Of the country;
CHIoAoo May 10, 1861.
My DEAR SIR:
Being deprived Of the use Of nv arms, for
the present by severe attack Of rheumatism,
am compelled to avail myself of the services of
an amanuensis in reply TO your two letters.
1t seems that some of my friends are unable
10 comprehend the difference between arguments
used in favor Of an equitable compromise with
the hope of averting the horrors Of war, aud
those urged in support of the government aud
the flag Of our country, when war is being
waged against the United States with tho
avowed purpose of producing permanent dis
ruption Of the Union and total destruction Of
its government.
All hope Of compromise with the cotton
States was abandoned when they assumed the
position that the separation of the Union was
complete aud final, and that they would never
consent to a reconstruction in any contingency;
not If we would furnish them with a blank
sheet of paper, and permit them to inscribe
their own terms. r s.. La
Still the hope was cherished that reasonable
and satisfactory terms of adjustment could be
agreed upon with Tennessee, North Carolina,
aud the Border States, and that whatever terms
would prove satisfactory to these loyal States
would create a Union party in the Cotton
States which would be powerful enough at the
ballot-box to destroy the Revolutionary Gov
ernment and bring those States back into the
Union by the yeice of their own people.
This hope was cherished by Union men North
and South and was never abandoned until ae-
tual war was levied at Charleston and the au-
thoritatve announcement made by the Revolu-
tionary Government at Montgomery, that the
secession flag should be planted upon the walls
of the Capital at Washington, and proclama-
tion issued, inviting pirates to prey upon the
commerce of the United States
These startling facts, in connection with the
boastful announcement that the ravages of war
and carnage should be quickly transferred from
the cotton fields of the South TO the wheat fields
and corn fields of the North furnish conclusive
evidence that it was the fixed purpose of the Sc
cessionists to utterly destroy the Government
of our fathers and obliterate the United States
from the map of the world.
Inview of this state of facts there was but one
path of duty left to patriotic men. 1t was not
party question, nor question involving par
tisan policy; it was question of Government
pr no. Government; country or no country; and
hence it became the imperative duty Of every
! Union man, and every friend of constitutional
liberty, to rally to the support Of our common
! country, its Government and flag as the only
means of checking the progress of revolution
] and of preserving the Union Of States.
! am unable TO answer your questions in re-
spect TO the policy of Mr.. Lincoln and Cabinet
| am not in their confidence as you and the
whole country ought to be aware. l am nei-
ther the supporter Of the partisan policy nor the
apologist of the errors of the Administration.
My previous relations to them remain unchan-
ged, bit thrust the time ,oM neucr come when
shat not be wi2ing to make any needtt2 sacrifice OF
personal feeling and party Policytor He honor and
i'aegrityof nly country.
! / know of no mode in which a loyal citizen
may so well demonstrate his devotion to his
country as by sustaining the Flag, the Constitu-
ton and the Union, under all circumstances,
and under every Administration, regardless of
party politics against all dssdild,its at home and
abroad The course of Clay and Webster to-
wards the Administration of Jackson, in the
days of Notification, presents a noble and wor-
thy example for all true patriots. At the very
! mouent when that fearful crisis was precipita-
| ted upon the country, partisan strife between
| Wings and Democrats was quite as bitter and
relentless as now between Democrats and Re-
publicans. ...t
The gulf which separated party leaders in
those days was quite as broad and deep as that
which now separates the Democracy from the
/ Republicans. But he moment enemy rose IN
our midst, plotting the dismombermenn of the I'm
ION and The destruction of the GOU0Tnme1lt ho v0ic,
Of partisan strife lcds hushed IN patriotic silence
One of the brightest chapters in the history o
our country will record the act that during thi
eventfpl period the great leaders of the Opposi
ton, sinking the partisan in the patriot, rushe,
to the support of the Government and becafn
its ablest and bravest defenders against all as
sailants until the conspiracy was crushed anC
abandoned, when they resumed their forme
positions as party leaders upon political issues.
These acts of patriotic devotion have neve
been deemed evidences of infidelity or politica
treachery, on the part of Clay and Webster, t.
the principles and organization of the old Whie
party. Nor have I any apprehension that th'
firm and unanimous support which the Demo
cratic leaders and masses are now giving to thu
Constitution and the Union, will ever be deem
ed evidenceof inidelity to Democratic princi
pies, or a want of loyalty TO the organization
and creed of the Democratic party. If we hop
to regard and perpetuate the ascendency of ou
party, we should never forget that man can
not be a true Democrat unless he is loyal pa
triot.
With sincere hope that these, my conscen
cious convictions may coincide with those of m,
: friends. / am, very truly, yours,
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.
To VIRGIL HIcKox Esq, Chairman State Demo
cratic Committee.