The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-12

seemed to take the Senate By surprise. and nc
one appeared moro startled than Judge Doug
las himself. He Immediately came TO my seat
and courteously demonstrated against my
amendment, suggesting that the bill which he
had introduced was almost in the words OF the
territorial acts for the organization OF Utah and
New Mexico: that, they being n part OF the
compromise measures OF 1850. no had hoped
that /. a known and jealous friend OF the
wise and patriotic adjustment which had
then taken place. would not be inclined TO
do anything to call that adjustment In
question or weaken It before the country. l
replied that IL was precisely because l had
been. and was. a firm and Jealous friend OF the
compromise Of 1850. that I felt bound to per-
sist In the movement which l had originated ;
that l was well satisfied that the Missouri re-
s%trictlon. II not expressly repealed, would con-
tinue to operate in the Territory to which It
had been applied. thus ncGativing the great
salutary principle OF non-tnteruentton which
constituted the most prominent and essential
feature OF tho plan OF settlement In 1850. We
talked for some time amicably and then sepa-
ruted."
Mr.. Dixon went on to say that. some days
afterward. Judge Douglas came to his lodgings
while he was confined by physical indisposition
and urged him to take a drive in his carriage.
81 accepted his invitation and rode out with
him. During our short excursion we talked on
the subject OF my proposed amendment, and
Judge Douglas. to my high qualification,
proposed TO me that I should allow him to
take charge OF the amendment and enGraft
It on his territorial bill" We are told that on
this occasion Judge Douglas spoke in substance
thus: II have become perfectly satisfied
that IL is my duty. as q fair-minded national
statesman. to cooperate with you in securing
A. -n~Aa1 ~ Nha AIgaoArrg TAr,r 49, Il L.
due to the South it is due to the Constitution.
heretofore palpably infringed: it is due to that
character for consistency which I have hereto
fore labored to maintain. The repeal. II we can
effect 1t. will produce much stir and commo-
tlon In the free States OF the Union fora season.
I shall be assailed by demagogues and fanatics
there. without stint or moderation. Every
opprobrious epithet will be applied to me. I
shall be probably hum in efiGy in many places.
1t is more than probable that l may become per-
manently odious among those whose friendship
and esteem l have heretofore possessed. This
proceeding may end my political career. But.
acting under the sense OF duty which animates
me. l am prepared to make the sacrifice. I
will do It," Mr.. Dixon added that Douglas
spoke in the most earnest and passionate
manner. and 1 confess that I was deeply af-
fected. l said to him in reply: Sir. l once
regarded you as a demaGogue. a mere
party manager, selfish and intriguing. l
now find you a warm-hearted and sterling
patriot. Go forward in the pathway OF duty as
you propose. and, though all the world desert
you. l will never" To the pledge thus given
Mr.. Dixon remained faithful. The letter from
which we have here quoted. and which was
penned in 1858. concludes as follows: Permit
me to say that the Southern people cannot
enter into an unholy alliance for the destruc-
fiOD ~ Jndpa noltu1oa 10 thay a ~ tr,,o e. thono
for he has made moro sacrifices to sus-
tain Southern institutions than any man now
living" Had Mr.. Dixon's words been needed.
Judge Douglas would have been nominated in
1850 for the Presidency by the united Democ-
racy. and he would have been elected. There
would then have been no civil war.
NJ. W. H. |