The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-09-07
The Last Appeal of Stephen A. Douglas,
From tie Indianapolis Journal

We invite the earnest attention of all
our readers, and more especially of those
who call themselves Democrats. to the
letter of Senator Douglas, which we
publish this morning. 1t is a voice from
the death bed of that great man-great
in his commanding talents and II his
powere over men, but greater in the
sublime patriotism which illustrates his
closing days Look AZ the language OF
Douglas on compromising with rebels in
arms; at his mastery delineation of the
war against the country, and upon the
duty of LOYAL citizens to sustain The
Flag. the Constitution, and the Union,
under al circumstances, and under every
Administration, regardless of party
politics, against ell assail@nts, az home
and abroad Contrast his noble and
patriotic course: with the action Of the
party that now claims tie name of De
mocracy. which never 3enounees the
treason that has bathea the land IL blood,
but can find 70 epithets too vile TO apply
TO the Administration which Is struggling
to restore the authority OF the people Of
the United States over the whole terri
tory of the Union. Compare his appeal
for the suppression OF party politics, with
the advice Of the State Central Commit
tee Of the Democracy to their political
adlerents, TO arm themselves for the
purpose ofresistiEg the lega! authorities,
and then determine whether the Democ-
racy of to day IS the Democracy of four
wears ago, or whether il is not I libel on
the name borne by the party of Jackson
and Douglas, to have it appropriated by
the Nothern allies OF the rebellion?
SENATOR DOUGLASS LAST LETTER.
A friend of Senator Douglas has han
ded to the National Intelligencer for
publication a copy fthe following letter
from him on the state of the country.
CAIcAGo, May 10.
My DEAR SIR: Being deprived of the
use OF my arms for the present 10y
severe attack of rheumatism, / am com
PEELED to avail myself OF the services of
an amanuensis in reply to your two let
tiers.
II seems that some of my friends are
unable to comprehend the difference be
-
equitable compromise, with the hope Of
averting the horrors OF was, aud those
urged IA support Of the Government aud
the flag OF our country. when war IS be
ing wageil against the United States with
the avowed purpose OF producing per
manent disruption OF the Uaion and total
destruction Of its Government.
All hope of compromise with the Cot
ton States was abandoned when they as
sumed the position that the separation OF
the Union was complete and final. and
that they would never consent To recon
struction IN any contingency-no even
if we would furnish them with 4 blank
sheet of paper and permit them TO in
scribe their own terms.
Still the hope was cherished that roa-
sodabic and satisfactory terms Of ad-
iuslmcnt could he agreed upoo with Ten
nessee. North Carolina and the border
States and that whatever terms would
prove satisfactory to these loyal States
woald create ? tnion party il tive Cot
ton Suites. which wcrii be powerful
enough at tAe ballot box to overthrow
the revolutionary Gorernlnent. and bring
those States back into the Union by the
voice Of their cwu people Tbs hope
was cherished by U1;on men North and
Sorth. on was ne~er abandoned till nc
ttsl Wa was levied IT Charleston and the
Gethoritl'ive announcement .nai" ty the
rev ol4tionary government ct iontgon- I
cry. that the secession dag should be
planted upon the walls Of the Capitol at
Washington, and . proclamation issued !,
inv itiue the pirates of the world to prey
upon the commerce Of the United States. {
in tic view Of this state OF facts there
was bat one path Of duty eft to patriotic
T. arr - cr+H~ ION,
question Involving partisan policy; il
VS. = question Of Government or no
Government: country or no countfy-t
and hence IL heca.ae the imperative 1aty +
OF cvery Union man, every friend Of con
stitaitonai liberty 20 reilly 70 tie supper /
Of our comIoncogutrT, its Government (
and flag, as The only means Of checking
the progress Of revolution and of pre-
serving .he Union Of States
;.in unable to answer your questions
in regard to the policy of Mr. Lincoln .
and Cabinet, am not in their confidence,
rs you and the whole country ought to be I
aware. | am neither the supporter Of
the partisan policy nor the apologist of
the errors of the administration. Ny I
previous relations to them remain I'M
changed L trust the time will never come
when l shall not be willing to make any
HeGtitui SstCi AHtc "a pGISOlidi ictittie "hN'
party policy for the honor and integrity
of my country
l know Of no mode in which loyal citi
zen may 50 well demonstrate his devotion
to his country as by sustaining the flag,
the Constitution, and the Union under
all circumstances, anf under every Adj
ministration, regardless Of party politics,
against al assailants, at homo and
abroad. The course of Clay and Web
ster toward the Administration OF Jack
son. in the DAYS Of qualification. presents
a noble and worthy example TO- all true
patriots. At the very moment when that
fearful crisis was preciPitate,i upon the
country. partisan strife between " higs
and Democrats was quite IS bitter and
relentless IS now between Democrats
and Republicans