The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-06-14
srrpmEN A. DOUGLAS.


guished Patriot and Statesman, Stephen
A. Douglas, aret to take place on the 4th
of July at Chicago.
He died just at the commencement
of the late terrible Civil War, after he
had exhausted every effort of his great
mind, and even sacrificed bodily health,
to prevent it.; and now, since its sad
scenes are over, it is appropriate that
his fellow citizens of all parties, and
from all sections, should assemble around
his quiet grave and sacrifice, on that sa-
cred spot, all the bitter feelings of for
mcr days, which may yet remain to pre-
vent thorough fraternal reunion.
ut is said that President johnson desires
to attend, and will do soft Congress adj
iourns before the 4th of July, or the
ceremonies should be postponed. Apart
from the ccat it would give to the oc-
cason from the dignity of his high Of
fee, there are other reasons which
would make his attendance highly APP
propriate. In the political revision,
caused in the South by the formation of
the Northern Republican party, it is
said that Andrew johnson went with
his section, and Of course against Judge
Douglas. We mention this not to cen
sure, but to show how naturally and
unsuspcctingly even the most eminent
men Of the South embraced at the time
what they believed to be the true doc
trine for the South When lac found
out afterwards that the secession leaders
were pressing this feeling into their
cause, he cxcrted all the powers Of his
soul against it. With Douglas, in the
Senate, he fought against fate; and
no one remains who can better appre.
ciate the departed Statesman.
1t was at first said that William II
Seward was to be the orator on the oc-
casion We see it still stated that he is
to be present If he can fully dlyest
himself Of all prejudice, and be able to
do justice to the love Of principle, con
sistcncy and patriotism Of the great
Democratic Party, Of which stephen \.
Douglas was the true Representative
no more suitable orator can be found.
He has mind comprehensive enough
to take in at a glance the entire subject;
and his recent liberal course towards
the South inclines MS 70 believe that he
can rise above the miserable preiudiecs
of the fanatical crew, aud do justice TO
his late opponents None know better
than he the fearful political mistakes Of
past years, and how honestly aud earn
ostly Stephen A. Douglas struggled to
prevent them. lie remembers how
blindly the great politicians Of the day
tread on the brink Of the dangerous
procipicc, little thinking Of the dreadful
consequences soon to follow their acts.
He may be excused if he palliates those
acts by taking refuge behind the DEGREES
Of Fate; and we must confess, when we
take into consideration the imperfcctions
of Man, and all the circumstances Of
the case, that the political events which
preceded the war, as well as the war it.
self, were inevitable. AT all events,
whether as orator for the occasion or
not, we would delight to sec Mr. Sew
ard present
Another parsonage we would like TO
sec present is the lone prisoner Of For
tress Monroe, Jefferson Dayis-the
great Secession Chief, who is now suf-
fering, and under all circumstances
must continue to suffer- the bitter CON
sequences Of the great political mistakes
of former years. Would that our Ru-
lers-that our whole people could rise
to the true view Of the matter and mag
unanimously agree to strike Off the gall
ing chains ofthc captive, and not insist
on making martyr out OF one who
doubtless believed, with the people of
his section, that circumstances justified
his striking for their independence
Doubtless, in proper spirit he would ap.
proach the grave of Douglas, chastened
and subdued by the terrible events of
the past few years, and the sad results
Of his policy to his own loved section
We'll must he remember how the warn
ing voice Of Douglas rang unheeded in
the ears Of the factions in the Senate I;
and how he opposed the resolutions Of
fered by Mr.. Davis himself, aud passed
by the Senate which, in retaliation for
the Republican platform of 1856, also
threw away compromise about slavery
in the territories, aud claimed all for
the Southern idea He would be pre-.
pared to acknowledge, now, that Stephen
A. Douglas was always the true friend
of the South as well as Of the whole
country. lie might possibly even yet
attempt to justify his course; but whilst
we admit it was exceedingly natural