The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-10-29
Mr.. AsBsUS s STATEMENT OF rHE ISryR.
VIEW WITH IR. DOUGLAS

Mr.. AsBarS STATEMENT OF THE ISrER.
VIEW WITH IR. DOUGLAS.
SPaINoFlELD, Mass. Oct. Is, 1864.
On sunday, April l4th. 1861, Wash.
iagton city was sgiisied By the sptead Of
the information Of the fall of Fort SUNNI.
ter, the news OF which had arrived the
night before. Such an event could no,
bat produce profound feeling at the
seat OF Government and dis,ussi ms large
y displaced all the ordinary Sunda cere
monies. The course which the new Ad-
minlstration would take was then un
known, and gave ground for much ankle
ty. For myself. | felt that the occasion
was one which demanded prompt action,
and the cordial support of the who le peo.
pie OF the North and that this wo Md be
greatly insured By a public declaration
from Mr.. Douglas. Tie friendly perso-
nal relations whicll had long existed be-
tween US, justified an effort in that direc-
tlon ou my part aud late in the after
noon | decided to make it. On driving
to bis house found him surrounded by
quite number of political friends, whom
he, however soon dismissed, with an easy
grace, on suggestion. of the errand
that brought me there. Our interview
lasted a7 hour or more, and in the course
OF 1t The whole nature Of his relations TO
Mr.. Lincoln Administration, and his du.
ty TO his country were fully discussed. -
Ills first impulse was decidedly against
my purposes.-L~ desired him to go at
once with me to the President and make
declaration of his determination to sus.
tain him in the Deedful measures which
the exigency of the hour demanded. &c
put down the rebellion which had thus
ierce'y Hamed out in Charleston ,,harbor
| we'll remember in his first reply: "Mr
Lincoln has deaf hardly with me in remov
ing some of my friends from Office, and
don't know as be wants my advice OF
aid" My answer was that MIR. Lincoln
had probably followed Democratic prece
dents in making removals; but the Question
now presented rose to a higher dignity
than could belong TO any possible party
question; and that it was now in hi.
Mr.. Ds) power to render such servict
to his country as would not only give hin
a title to its lasting gratitude, but would
at the same time show that in the houl
of his country's need he would tramplt
all partizau considerations and resent
ments under foot.
The discussion in this vein, continued
for some time, and resulted in his EN-
phatic declaration that he would 90 will
me TO the President and offer cordia
and earnest support. But | shall neve
forget that before it was concluded, BIZ;
beautiful and noble wife came into Ii,
room and gave the whole weight of he
affectionate influence towards the resul
which was reached. Ny carriage wa
waiting at the door, and it was almos
dark when we started for the President
. house. We fortunately found Mr. Lin
coin alone, and upon my stating the er
> rand on which we had come he was mos
I cordial in his welcome, and immediatel
Q prepared the way for the conversation
which followed, by taking from his draw
e er and reading to US the draft of the proc
!. lamation which he had decided to issue
: and which was given to the country tn
next morning.
As soon as the reading ended, Nj
!, Douglas rose from his chair and sst
Q "Mr. President. l cordially con cur
"every word Of that document, sxcep