Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-29
Last Letter of Stephen a. Douglas.
"a Man Cannot be True Democrat Unless
He is Loyal Patriot"


his death, it is his last utterance upon polit-
zeal subjects. Addressed to the Democratic
party, it gives his views of their duty to the
country in view of the rebellion of the South
against the Union. 1t is possible that pas
sages may be found in his speeches made be-
fore the war began, and in the heat of par
tizan debate, inconsistent with the admoni-
tons and counsels OF this patriotic letter.
But it should be remembered that this was
written after the war had actually begun, and
that it is the calm, deliberate expression of
Mr.. DOUGLAS in view of the danger which
then threatened and which continues to
threaten our common country.
At this time, when determined effort is
being made by a portion of the Democratic
party, to array the loyal States in bitter hos
tility to the National Government, and when,
in the name of the Democratic party, demo-
gogues are seeking to embarrass md thwart
every measure adopted by the administration
for putting down the rebellion, it would be
well for men of all parties, but especially for
Democrats, to re-peruse with care the last
counsels of DOUGLAS.
What contrast it presents to the RYAN
Address-the platform on which the Palmer
ticket is presented-with its vindictive par
tizanship, its cold-blooded malignity, its I'M
relenting Indian-like ferocity, which, blind
to the dangers that await the country, and
careless of all other consequences, seeks only
to excite party hatreds and to achieve party
successes:
CHICAGO, May 10, 1861.
My DEAR SIR: Being deprived of the use of
my arms for the present by severe attack
Of rheumatism, am compelled to avail N.Y.
self of the services of an amanuensis in re-
ply to your two letters.
1t seems that some of my friends are una
BILE to comprehend the difference between
arguments used in favor of an equitable com
promise, with hope of averting the horrors
of war, and those urged in support of the
Government and the flag Of our country when
war is being waged against the United States
with the avOwed purpose of producing a per-
manent disruption of the Union and total
destruction of it's Government.
All hope of compromise with the Cotton
States was abandoned when they assumed
the position that the separation of the Union
was complete and final, and that they would
never consent to a reconstruction in any con-
tingency-10t eoera If ne w0uH furnish them
NTH a blank sheet Of paper, and permit them to
uascribe their oac,s terms
Still hope was cherished that reasonable
and satisfactory terms of adjustment could be
agreed upon with Tennessee, North Carolina,
and the Border States which would be pow
erful enough at the ballot box to destroy the
revolutionary government, and bring those
States back into the Union by the voice of
| their own people. This hope was cherished
by Union men North and South, and was
never abandoned until actual war was levied
at Charleston, and authoritative announce
| mcnt made by the revolutionary government
at Montgomery, that the secession flag should
be planted upon the walls of the Capitol at
Washington, and a proclamation issued invit-
ing the pirates of the world 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 trans
ferred from the cotton fields of the South TO
the wheat and corn fields Of the North furn-
ish conclusive evidence that it was the fixed
purpose of the secessionists utterly to destroy
the Government of our fathers, and obliter-
ate the United States from the map Of the
world.
In view of this state of facts there uas but
one path Of duty left to patriotic men, 1t mas
not a party question, nor a question in0olving
partisan policy it was question Of Govern
ment Or no Government country or no coun-
try-and hence it became the imperative duty
of every Union man, every friend Of consti-
tutional 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-
gard to the policy of Mr.. Lincoln and Cabi-
net. [ am not in their confidence, as you
and the whole country ought to be aware I
am neither the supporter of the partisan pol
icy nor the apologist of the errors Of the ad-
ministration. My previous relations with
them remain unchanged. But trust the time
aoU saever w1te shall not be ci1i,ag to make
any neeofM sacrifice Of personal feeling ard par
ty policy for the honor and integrity Of my conn
try.
know Of no mode in which a loyal citizen
may so well demonstrate his devotion to his
country as by sustaing the flag, the Constitu-
ton and the Union, under all circumstances
and under erery administration, regardless of
party politics. against all assailants, at home
and abroad.
The course of Clay and Webster toward
the Administration of Jackson, in the days
of notification, presents noble and worthy
example for all true patriots. At the very
moment when that fearful crisis was precipi-
tated upon the country, partisan strife be-
tween Wings and Democrats was quite as
bitter and relentless as now between Demo
erats and Republicans.
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 the moment an
enemy rose in our midst, plotting the dis
memberment Of the Union and the destruc-
ton of the Government, the voice of partisan
strife was hushed in patriotic silence. One of
the brightest chapters in the history of our
country will record the fact that during this
eventful period the great leaders of The oppo-
sition, sinking the partisan in the patriot,
rushed to the support of the Government, and
became it's ablest and bravest defenders
against all assailants until the conspiracy was
crushed and abandoned, when they resumed
their former positions as party leaders upon
political issues.
These acts of patriotic devotion have never
been deemed evidences of infdelity or polit-
ical treachery On the part Of Clay and Web
ster, to the principles and organization Of the
old Wing party. Nor have l any apprehen-
sion that the firm and unanimous support
which the Democratic leaders and masses are
now giving to the Constitution and Union,
will ever be deemed evidence of infdelity to
Democratic principles, or want of loyalty
to the organization and creed of the Demo
cratic party. fire hope to regain and papetu-
ate the asceadency of our party, we should neuer
forget that a man can not be q true Democrat