The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-06-24
Loyalty of stephen A. Douglas.

The following is the last letter, of a pub
lie character, ever written by that intioxible
and patriotic Democrat, Stephen A. Doug
las. We recommend it to the perusal and
serious consideration of those who, still
styling themselves Democrats, have strayed
from tho fundamental principles of democ-
racy, and wandered after that igGuS .faN'uS
now recommended 10y the recent White
feather Convention, rs a suitable person to
I've intrustcd with Gubernatorial power in
Ohio. Read and reflect upon the issue pre-
sontcd. win the support of Nallandigham
accord with the sentiments of patriotism
and the duties of an American, so plainly
laid down, and SO forcibly expressed i'll the
annexed letter. Read and ponder thereon:
CuCAGo, May 10, 1861.
My DEAR SIR: Being deprived of the Use of
my arms Al present by severe attack of the rheu-
matsm, | am compelled to avail myself of the
services of umanucnss in reply to your two
letters.
II seems that some of my friends unable to
comprehend the difference between arguments used
i'll favor of an equitable compromise, with the hope
of avertng the horrors of war. and those urged in
support of the Government and flag of our country,
States, with the avowed purpose ofproducing aper
mauent disruption of the Union and total dcstruc
ton of the Government.
ALL HOPE OF COMPROMISE WITH THE
COTTON STATES WAS ABANDONED WHEN
THEY ASSUMED THE POSITION THAT THE sEPARA-
roN OF THE UNION WAS COMPLETE AND FINAL,
ANn THAT THEY NEVER WOULD CONSENT TO A RE
CONSTRUCTION IN ANY CoNTINGENcY-NOT EVEN
If WE WOULD FURNISH THEM WITH A
BLANK SHEET OF PAPER AND PERMIT
THEM TO lNSCRlBE THEIR OWN TERMS.
Still the hope was cherished that reasonable and
satisfactory terms of adjustment could be agreed
upon with Tennessee North Carolina and the hor-
der 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 governments, and bring those States
back into the Union by the voice of their own peo
pie This hope was cherished by Union men North
and South, aud was never abandoned until actual
was levied at Charleston and the authoritative
announcement made by the revolutionary govern
meHt at Montgomery, that the secession flag would
be planted upon the walls of the Capitol at Wash
ington, and proclamation issued inviting the pi-
rates of the world to prey upon the commerce Of
the United States.
These startling facts, taken in connection with
the bOasttul announcement that the ravages OF the
war and carnage should be quietly transferred
from the Coton-iields of the South to the wheat
fields and corn-felds of the North furnish conclu
sve evidence that 1t was the fixed purpose of the
our fathers and oblitcrate the United States from
the map of the world.
In view of this state of facts, THERE WAS nut
ONE PATH OF DUTY LEFT TO PATRIOTIC MEN. II tods
not party question: nora question IHr0truig pdrtEat
policy; IT WAS A QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT OR 80
GOyERNMENT, cor NTRY OR no COUNTRY; and h1toe
Il became THE IMPERATIVE DUTY OF EVERY UNION
MAN, EVERY FRIEND OF CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY,
TO RALLY TO THE SUPPORT OF oUH COMMON couN-
TRY, IT'S GOvERNMENT AND FLAG, As THE ONLY
MEANS OF CHECKING THE PROGRESS OF
THE REVOLUTION, AND OF PRESERVING
THE UNION OF THE STATES.
am unable 10 answer your question rs 10 the
policy of Mr.. Lincoln and his Cabinet. | am not
in their confidence, as you and the whole country
ought to be aware. | am neither the supporter Of
the partizan policy, nor apOlogist for the Admin
stration My previous relations to them remain
unchanged but trust the time will never come
when shall not be willing to make any needful
sacrifice of personal feeling and party feeling and
party policy for the honor and integrity of my
| country.
know of no mode by which a loyal citizen may
so well demonstrate his loyalty to his country as
by sustaining he Hdg, The Consultation, and the Union,
under GH circumstances aud under erery AdHHtstrd-
tim, (rcgaroess Of party politics. AG AINsT ALL As
! sAILANTS, AT HOME AND ABROAD. The course OF
! Clay and Webster toward the Administration oI
General jackson, in the days Of nulhcation, pre-
sents a noble and worthy example for all true pat
| riots.
At tho very moment when that fearful crisis was
precipitated upon the country, partiZan strife be-
tween Wings and Democrats was quite bitter
| and relentless as now between Democrats and Re
publicanS. The gulf (which separted party leaders
in those days was quite as broad and deep as that
| which now separates the Democracy from the Re
| pubhcans. But the moment an enemy rose in our
midst plotting the dismemberment of the Union
and the destruction of the Government, the voice Of
partzan strife was hushcd in patriotic silence. One
Of the brightest chapters in the history of our
! try will record the fact that during this eyentful
| period the great leaders Of the Opposition, sinking
the partzan in the patriot rushed 10 the support of
| the Government and became its ablest and braTest
defenders against all assailants until the conspiracy
was crushed and abandoned, when they returned 70
their positions as party leaders upon political is
| sues.
These acts Of patriotic devotion have never been
deemed evidences of infdelity or political treach-
cry, on the part of Clay and Webster, to the prin
| ciplcs aud organization OF the old Wing party.
| Nor have | any apprehension that the firm and
unanimous support which the Democratic leaders
! and masses are now giving 10 the Constitution and
| the Union will ever be deemed evidences of intidel-
| itv to Democratic principles, or a want of loyalty
! TO the organization ana creed of tho Democrats
party. If we hope to regain and perpetuate the
| ascendancy of our party, WE SHOULD NEVER FOR
GET THAT A MAN CANNOT BE A TRUE DEMOCRAT Uk-
LESS HE Is A LOYAL PATRIOT.
With the sincere hope that these my conscientious
convictions, may coincide with those Of my friends,
am, very truly, yours, ,>o,,o,, ,s,
| To VIRGIL HTCRox Esq, Chm'n State Dem. Com.
|
A DANCER once said to Spartan, You
| 40, not ctan1 ON opa laor lnnur aa / can -