Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-08
MORNINGLEADER.


he quotes one which, he says, was written
by Douglas to Benz. NJ samuels Of Iowa,
endorsing and eommending his " friend
Vsllandighsm" It is as likely as not
that the letter is forgery, but if not, it
has no special ignifcanoe, as it only com
mends Yallsndighsm's course at Charles
ton. Those Of Douglas old followers who
wantto know hoRhe would stand in con-
test like the present, are referred to aletter
published below, snd which is probably the
last elaborate political opinion he ever re-
duced 70 writing In fact, he was severely
i'll ct The time itwas written, and employ
ed an snsnueusis to put his thoughts up
on paper. twill be seen that his lasttes-
timony was in behali Of the Union, with
out any reservations, or restrictions, or
conditions, and that his ground was the
very opposite of that occupied by Vallan-
digham and his supporters:
CHICAGO, May 10Th, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR: Being deprived Of the
use Of my arms for the present, by a severe
attack Of rheumatism, l am compelled TO
avail myself Of the services of an smRnu-
ensis in reply TO your letters.
Il seems that some Of my friends are un-
able to comprehend The difference between
arguments used in favor Of an equitable
compromise, with the hope ofeverting the
horrors Of war, and those urged in support
Of the Government and the flag of our
country, when war is being wsged against
the United States with the avowed purposes
Of producing a permanent disruption of
tbs Union and total destruction of its
Government.
AH hope Of eompromise nth the Cotton
States Vas abaHdoasd, when they assumed
the position that the separation Of the Un-
ion was complete aud final, and that they
would never consent 10 a reconstruction
in any oontiDgency-nOte even five would
furnish them with blank sheet Of paper.
and permit them to insCribe their own
terms.
stIil the hope was cherished that reason
able and satisfactory terms Of adjustment
could be agreed upon with Tennessee,
North Caroline, and the border States, and
that whatever terms would prove satisfac
tory to these loyal States would create
Union party in the Cotton States which
would be powerful enough at the ballot box
70 destroy the revolutionary Government
and bring those States back Into the U MON
by the voice Of their own people. This
hope was cherished by Union men North
and South, and sgas aeVsr sBandoaed until
actual Var 70 Lepiei at Charleston, and the
auIhortstiVe announcement made by the
that the secession flag should be planted
upon the walls Of the Capitol at Washing
ton, and proclamation issued inviting
the pirates Of the world to prey upon the
commerce Of the United States.
These startling facts, taken in eonnee-
tion with the boast Ul announcement that
the rsvages Of war and carnage should be
quickly transferred IRON the cotton fields
OF the South to the wheat and corn fields of
the North, furnish conclusive evidence that
ii was the fxed purpose of the secession
lists utterly TO destroy the Government of
our fathers, and obliterate the United
States from the map of the world.
In view Of this state Of facts there was
but one path Of duty left TO the patriotic
man. It was not party question, nor
question involving partisan policy it was
q question Of Government or no Govern
msnt, country or no country; and hence it
became the imperative duty Of every Un-
ion man, every friend Of constitutional
liberty, TO rally TO the support Of our COM
mon country, its Government and flag, ss
the onJy means Of checking theprOgress of
revolution, and Of preserving the Union of
the States.
an unable TO answer your questions in
regard to the policy Of Mr. Lincoln ana
his Cabinet. am not in their confidence, |
as you and the whole country ought TO be |
aware. am neither thesupporter of the |
partisan policy nor the apoIogist for the |
errors Of the Administration. My previous |
to them remain unchanged; /; but l |
trust the time will never come when l shall |
not be willing tomake any needful sacri-
fee ofpersonsl feeling and party policy |
for the honor and integrity ofmy country. |
know ofno mode BY which loyal cit
lzsn may SO we'll demonstrate his devotion /
10 his country, as by sustaining the Flag,
the Constitution and the Union, under all |
and under every Admins
Erstion, (regsrdless Of party polincs) /
against ali assailants, at home and abroad, |
The course Of Clay and Webster towards
he Administration Of General Jack on, in
he days Of Modification, present a noble
md worthy example for all true patriots.
At the very moment when that fearful
risis was precipitsted upon the country,
,aFtissD strife between Wings and Demo-
rats was quite as bitter and relentless as
low between Democrats and Republicans.
The gulf which separated party leaders
q those days was quite as broad and deep
9 that which now separates the Democra-
y from the Republicans. But the moment
n enemy rose in our midst plotting the
lismemberment of the Union and the de-
tructioR Of the Government the voice Of
,srtissn strife was hushed in patriotic si-
ence.
One Of the brightest chapters in the his
ory Of our country will record the fact
hat during this eventful period, the great
esders Of the Opposition, sinking the par
isan in the gatriOt, rushed TO the support
the GoTernnenb and became its Rblest
nd bra7est defenders against all asssil-
nts until the conspiracy was crushed and
bsndoDed, when they resumed their form
r positions As party leaders upon political
lsues.
These acts Of patriotic devotion have
ever been deemed evidences of inh5elity
T political tresohery on the part Of Clay
nd Webster 70 the principles and organ
lstiOn Of the old Wing party. Nor have
any apprehension that the firm and
nsnimoussupport which the Democrats
9aders and masses are now giving to abe
constitution and the Union viii ever be
eemed evidences Of inhdelity to Democrat
, principles, or want Of loyalty to the
rganizstion and creed Of the Democratic
arty. II we hope to regain snd perpetu-
te the ascendeney Of oar party, we should
ever forget that 2 nan cannot be q true
'emOcrst unlesR he ia a loyal patriot.
With the sipeers hope that these. nv
-nnninnainr-r nnn-snas..n ~ FL