Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-29

On the 2d Of February, 1861, Senator
DOUGLAS wrote letter TO The Memphis
appeal, in answer to an editorial in that
paper. This letter evinces the Senator's
remarkable political sagaclty and foresight,
aud is well worthy Of reproduction at this
time, Mr.. DoUGLAs wrote:
NlEssRs. EDIToRs--I have this morning
read with amazement an editorial In your
paper of the 30th ult., In which you as
sumo that j am "iavoring the immediate
withdrawal of the remaining States from
the Confederacy as a peace measure, TO
avert the horrors of civil war, and with the
view of reconstruction on o constitutional
basis.n Iimplore you by all those kind re-
lations which have so long existed between
us, and which still cherish with SO much
pleasure and gratitude, to do me thejustice
promptly to correct the unaccountable er-
ror into which you have been led.
In regard to secession, wbetherviewe as
q governmental theory, or as matter OF
political expediency, have never had but
one opinion, nor uttered but one language
that of unqualified opposition. Nothing
can be so fatal to the peace of the country,
so destructive of the Union and Of all hopes
of reconstruction, as the secession of Ten
nessee and the Border States under existing
circumstances. You must remember that
there are disunionists among the party
leaders at the North, as well as at the South
-men whose hostility to slavery is stronger
than their fidelity to the Constitution, and
who believe that the disruption OF the
Union would draw after 1t, as an inevitable
consequence, civil war, servile insurrection,
and, finally, the utter determination OF
slavery In all the Southern States. They
are bold, daring, determined men; and be-
lieving, as they do, that the Constitution Of
the United States is the great bulwark Of
slavery on this continent, and that the dis
ruption of the American Union involves
the inevitable destruction of slavery, and
is IN indispensable necessity to the attain
Inent of that end they are determined to
accomplish their paramount object by any
means within their power.
For these reasons the Northern disunion-
ists like the disunionists of the South, are
violently opposed to all compromises or
constitutional amendments, or efforts at con-
ciliation whereby peace should be restored
and the Union preserved. They are striv-.
ing to break up the Union under the pre-
tense of unbounded devotion to it.; they are
to overthrow the constitution,
while protesting undying attachment to 1t,
and willingness to make any sacrifice to
maintain it; they are trying to plunge The
country into ciuH acdr, as the surest means of
destroying the Union, upon the plea OF zen
forcing the laws and protecting the public
property If they can defeat every kind
of adjustment or compromise by which the
points ut issue may be satisfactorily settled,
and keep up the irritation, so as to induce
the border States to follow the Cotton States,
they will feel certain of the accomplish
ment of their ultimate designs. Nothing will
crafty them so much, or contribute so eff
fectually to their success, as the secession OF
Tennessee and the border States. Every
State that withdraws from the Union in
creases the relative power of Northern Abb
olitionists to defeat a.satisfactory adjustment,
and to bring on aoar, which sooner or later
must end in final separation and recognition
of the independence of the two contending
sections.
If on the contrary, Tennessee, North
Carolina, and the Border States will remain
in the Union, and will unite with the con-
servative and Union-loving men of all par
ties in the North in the adoption of such
compromise as will be alike honorable, safe
and Just to the people of all the States,
peace and fraterual feeling will soon return,
and the Cotton States will come back, and
the Union be rendered perpetual. Pardon
the repetition; but it cannot be too strongly
impressed upon all who love our country,
and war will be the destruction
not only of the present Union but will blast
all hopes of reconstruction upon constitu-
tional basis.
am, very truly, your friend,
s. A. DOuGLAS.