The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-09-25

In Illinois was that OF one who conquered
by energy, audaoity, and qualities Of mind
and body that made him the leader Of
mob. AS o popular leader, no one possess.
ed 80 many elements of success Of Mr.. Doug
los, and when we say this we have answer
ed the highest demands Of his fame. Con-
science would have made him Radical,
hut by pandering to an Illinois mob, he
managed to be for the greater part of his
career always victorious. BY surrendering
himselfto the spirit of slavery, he became
conspicuous as aleader of the extreme pro-
slavery wing of the Democratic party. Du-
ring the period Of the Southern domination
that succeeded the fall of Van Buren,, when
public men of the North strove to outdo
each other in panderiug to the South, Mr..
Douglas went beyond them oil, and offered
.up the Missouri Compromise as sacrifice
for the Presidency. What the extreme men
Of the South did not dream of doing what
they scarcely dared to ask, Mr.. Douglas
did. The repeal Of the Missouri Comprom.
ise was the great event. Of his public life.
1t Is not for us to consider his afterthought
of on argument called popular Sovereign.
ty'-not an argument, indeed, 'but an ex.
ouse and propitiatiou. The nation saw only
an ambitious, striving politician, olamoring
for the Presidency, and willing to rise upon
the ruins Of sacred, time.honored COM
promise. Whether ther judgment was the
true one or not, we have not the power to
say, but certainly the American people thus
believed, and Douglas lost tho confidence
that otherwise would have made him Presi.
dent. Even the Missouri Compromise
would not prdpitiate the South and at Gin.
cinnau the mentor whom he had incurred
public suorn, for whom he had risked his
fame and fortune, abandoned him with COW.
ardly tirnidity and selected James Buohan-
an. y
This desertion convinced the aspiring
Senator that the system Of slavery added to
ness. From the moment Of Mr.. Bnchansn's
election, Mr.. Douglas eeased to act with tho
slave power. Had he lived through the war,
this might have been the turning point Of
On illustrious and useful career. He Great
ted the Auti-Lecornpton party and. fought
DIR. Buchanan with as much courage as
could be expected from statesman who
would insist upon being o politician. He
saw nothing grander In our system than the
Democratic party, and to this party he clung
with superstitious tenaoity., He refused
that step in 1860, when tho country. yearned
for him, when leaders OF the Republican
party were willing to DAIRY HE colors.
Rather than abahdon an organization, that
was really In hands Of thieves and money
changers, he stood begging in the Senate
for his old committee, only to be repulsed
with contempt by the South, and to 60 TO
Illinois and do their bidding. 1t was the
want Of moral purpose which makes men
create expediehts that in the CASE of Doug-
lass led him TO seek o third party when he
ran for the Presidency. His friends in the
South sacrificed him for Breokinbridge.
while othef friends in the North, claiming to
follow his principles, walked over him, as o
bridge, to Tho side Of the victorious Lincoln
IL was In these last days of his career that
We find the real merit Of Donglaa's life
Taking him ell In all, as one of the lustiest
men Of this generation, his fate reminds us
Of 0 Spanish Matador who goes down to the
arena gorgeous with spangles and feathers
and valiant with his spear. He threw the
red rag at the country and made q maynif-
cent fight. But matadors have misfortunes,
and this from Illinois was tossed aud gored,
and trampled, dying In the very moment
whom he Of all men seemed called upon 10
liye--neyer to aout his red rag any more.
What the war would have made Douglas,
American, and he knew that the Sumter
guns meant war. The last words Of his life
were loyal and brave. He saw the necessity
Of national unity aud energy, While urging
and warning the people, and insisting upon
manly, patriotic action. the strange tenden-
oy Of his nature sought its climax In the.
declaration that the Democratic party could.
not be perpetual unless every Democrat boz
came o patriot! The patty was ell in all,
and IL men would bs good Democrats, let
them Aght Mr.. Douglass philosophy
never sought higher level He did not
SEQ principle In the issue-a great wrong
struggling TO extend It's sinful powers
mighty nation warning with crime that 1t
had nurtured. He was keenly practical
lived merely In the day, had no moro earn.
Sst prayer than for daily bread, aud, like
oil noted men whose lives are governed by
merepolicy, leaves but q dim mark Upon
ourhistory. The party which he iiiedeis
dissolved, aud we speak Of Douglas Demo
orats with as much q feeling Of lorg'agoas
though We were speaking Of the Fedeialists
and anti. .Maschs.h There Is no sure fame
that 10 not based on truth, and the best we
can say Of Douglss 10 that ho sas expedis
ent. SD
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