The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-03-31

The letter subjoined was first publish
ed in the National Intelligencer of May
II, 1861. 1t is the last public expression
of opinion on national affairs from Sena-
tor Douglas. We hope it will be carefully
read by every Democrat. 1t contains
the truth of history as to the commence
mencement and object of the rebellion,
and sound doctrine as to the duty of
Democrats in the present state OF the
country:
CHICAGO, May 10, 1861.
My DEAR SIR:-Being deprived of the
use of my arms at present by severe
attack of the n rheumatism, am compel
led to avail myself of the services of an
amanlenSis in reply to your two letters.
1t seems that some Of my friends are
unable to comprehend the difference be-
tween arguments used in favor Of an
equitable compromise with the hope of
averting the horrors of war and those
urged in support of the Government and
flag OF our country, when war is being
waged against the United States with
the avOwed purpose OF producing per-
manent disruption of the Union and a
total destruction Of the Government.
All hope Of compromise Iith tie Cot
ton States cdS abandoned acheIt Mey as
sumed the position that The separation Of
the Union tcas complete and final, and
that they toOuld nerer consent to a recon
Struction an any cOntingency-n0t ereR
If ace icould furnish them nth blank
scribe 4 fR5GT 5R@Rer 1 9Tg se1 Re'"s's t4e 70 a'-
SIN the hope was cherished that rea-
sonable and satisfactory terms of adjust
ment could be agreed upon with Tennes-
see, North Carolina, and the Border
States, and that whatever terms would
prove satisfactory to these States would
c@ate Union party in the Cotton States
which would be powerful 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 the author
itative announcement made Dy the revo-
lutionary Government at Montgomery
that the Secession flag would be planted
upon the walls of the Capitol at Wash
ington, and a proclamation issued in
viting the pirates of the world to prey
upon the commerce of the United States.
These startling facts, taken in connec-
ton with the boastiul announcement
that the ravages of war and carnage
should be quietly transferred from the
cotton-helds of the South to the wheat
fields and corn-felds of the North, fur
| nish conclusive evidence that it was the
fixed purpose of the secessionists utterly
to destroy the Government of our faith
ers, and oblterate 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 patriotic
men, II lraS mt party question IN
Uolring partisan policy; 1T acas a ques
ton Of gorernment or no government
country or no country, and hence it be
came the imperative duty of every Unior
man, every friend of constitutional liberty
to rally to the support of our common
country, its government and flag, as th'
only means of checking the progress 0
the revolution, apd of preserving tn
union of the States.
am unable to answer your question
as to the policy of Mr.. Lincoln and hi
Cabinet. | am not in their confidence
as you and the whole country ought to b
aware. am neither the supporter G
the partisan policy, nor apologist for tn
errors of the Administration. My pre-
vious relations to them remain III
changed; but | trust the time will neve
come when shall not be willing to max
any needful sacrifice of personal feelin
and party policy for the honor and ii
tegrity of my country.
I kio,o Of no mode by chich qloyc
citizen may so eceU demonstrate hi
loyalty to has country as by ststainin
the flag, tie Constitution and the Union
atnder all circumstances, and dunder euey
Administration (rtgardless Of part
E politics, agaiest all assaiLaatS, at hon
or abroad The course of Clay an
Webster toward the Administration (
. General jackson, in the days of nullific;
ton, presents a noble and worthy exam
pie for all true patriots.
, At the very moment when that fearfl
, crisis was precipitated upon the countr
partisan strife between Wings and Der
ocrats was quite as bitter and relentle
:, as now between Democrats and Repub
d cans. The gulf which separated par
g leaders in those days was quite as broa
IS and deep as that which now separates tt
t Democracy from the Republicans. b
10 the moment an enemy rose in our mids
plotting the dismembermento of the Unie