East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-08-10
Senator Douglass Letter.

On tho I'd Of February, 1861, SEN
ator Douglass wrote letter 10 tho
Memphis 1ppeai, in answer to an ed
itorial in that papor. This letter
evinces the Senator's remarkable
political sagacity and foresight, and is
well worthy of a reproduction ut this
time. Mr.. Douglass wrote:
MEssRs. EDIToRs--I have this NOR
ming read with amazemcnt an editori-
al in your paper of tho Both ult., in
which you assume that am in favor
of withdrawing the remaining States
from the Confederncy us peace meas
ure, to avert tho horrors of civil war,
and with tho view of reconstruction
on constitutional basis" i implore
you by all those kind relations which
have SO long existed between us, and
which / still cherish with SO much
pleasure and gratitude, to do me the
justice promptly to correct the unac-
countable error into which you have
been led.
In regard to secession, whether
viewed as a governmental theory, or a
matter Of political expediency, 1 have
never had but one opinion, nor uttered
but one language-that of unqualified
opposition. Nothing can be so fatal
to tho peace of the country, SO de-
structive of the Union and of all hopes
of reconstruction, as the secession Of
Tennessee and the Border States un-
der existing circumstances. You
must remember that there are disun-
ionists among the party leaders at the
North, as well as the South-men
whose hostility w slavery 10 st-ensor
than their fidelity to the Constitution,
and who believe that the disruption
of the Union would draw after it, as
an inevitable consequence, civil war,
servile instruction, and finally, the
utter determination of slavery in all
the Southern States.
They are bold, daring, and deter
mined men; and believing, as they
do, that the Constitution of the United
States is the great bulwark of slavery
on this continent and that the disrup-
ton of the American Unioy involves
tho inevitable destruction Of slavery,
and is an indispensable necessity to
the attainment of that end. they are
determined to accomplish their para
mount object by any mean within their
power.
For these reasons the northern dis
unionists, like tho disunionists of the
South, are violently opposed to all
compromises or constitutional amend
ments, or efforts at Cancellation where
by peace should be restored and tho
Union preserved. They are striving
TO break up the Union under the pre-
tense of unbounded devotion to it !;
they are struggling to overthrow the
Constitution, while protesting undying
attachment to it, and a willingness to
make any sacrifice TO maintain it !;
they arc trying 10 plunge the country into
cica war, as surest means Of destroying
the Union, upon the plea of enforcing
the laws and protecting public prop
erty." If they can defeat every kind
of adjustment or compromise by which
the points at issue may be satisfactori-
ly setteled, and keep up the irritation,
so as to induce the Border States to
follow the Cotton States, they will
feel confident of the accomplishment
Of their ultimate designs. Nothing will
crafty them so much, or contribute
so efiectually to their success, as the
secession of Tennessee and the Border
States. Every State that. .witb1reys
power of northern abolitionists TO de-
feat satisfactory adjustment, and TO broq
on a tcar, which sooner or later must
end in final separation and recognition
of the independence Of the two con.
tending sections.
If, on the contrary, Tennessee,
North Carolina, and The Border States
will remain in tho Union, and will
unite with the conservative and Union
loving men of all parties in the North,
in the adoption of sueh compromise as
will be alike honorable safe and lust
to the people Of all the States, peace
and fraternal feeling will soon return,
and the Cotton Statos will soon come
back, and the Union be rendered per-
petual. Pardon the repetition but it
cannot be too strongly impressed upon
all who love our country, secession
and war will be the destruction not
only of the present Union but will |
blast all hopes of reconstruction upon
a constitutional basis.
l am, very truly, your friend.
~ a Douar,eo