Year: 1861

Last Communication from Stephen A


Douglas to the Public.


CHICAGO, May 10, 1861.


My DEAR S1R;-Being deprived Of the use
of my arms for the present by a severe att
tack Of rheumatism, | am compelled to avail
myself of the services of an qmanuesis in re-
ply to your two letters.


1t seems that some of my friends are una
ble to comprehend the difference between
arguments used in favor of an equitable COM
promise, with the hope of averting the hor-
rors of war, and those urged in support of
the Government and flag of our country,
when war is being waged against the United
States with the avowed purpose of producing
permanent disruption of the Union and a
permanent destruction of Its Government


All hope of compromise with the Cotton
States was abandoned when they assumed
the position that the separation of the Union
was complete and final, and that they would
never consent to a reconstruction in any con-
tingency-not even if we would furnish them
with blank sheet of paper and permit them
to inscrbe their own terms


Still the hope was cherished that reasona-
Die and satisfactory terms of adjustment could
be agreed upon with Tennessee, North Caro-
Illlt anu ltlG DULQSr olulGS, anu Jllul whatever
terms would prove satisfactory tG these loyal
States would create a Union party in the
Cotton States which would be powerful
enough at the ballot box to destroy the Revo
lutionary Government, ana bring those States
back into the Union by the voice of their
own people. This hope was cher he'd by
Union men North and South, ard was never
abandoned until actual war was levied at
Charestor, and the authoritative announce-
ment made 10y the Revolutionary Govern
ment at Montgomery, that the Secession flag
should be planted upon the walls Of the
Capitol at Washington, and proclamation
issued inviting the pirates of the world to
prey upon the commerce Of the United
states.


These startling facts, taken in connection
with the boasttul announcement that the
ravages of war and carnage should be quickly
transferred from the cotton fields of the South
to the wheat fields and corn fields of the
North, furnish conclusive evidence that it
was the fixed purpose of the Secessionists
utterly to destroy the Government of our
fathers and oblite. ate the Uuiteh States from
the map of the world.


In view of this State of facts there was but
one path of duty left to patriotic men. 1t
was not party question, nor question in-
volving partisan policy; it was a question of
Government or no Government; country or
no country and hence it became the iUpera-
tive duty of every Union man, every friend
of constitutional liberty, to rally to the sup
port of our common country, its Government
and flag, as the only means of checking the
progress of revolution and Of preserving the
Uuion cf States.


| am unable 20 answer your questions IN
. I. H.. 1 g. ~
Cabinet. | am not in their confidence as YOU
and the whole country ought to be aware |
am neither the supporter of the partisan
policy nor the apclog.et OF the errors Of the
Administration Ny previous relations to
them remain unchanged; but trust the time
will never come when | shall not be willing
to make any needfu sacrifice of personal feel
ing and party policy for the honor and in
tegrity of my country


| know of no mode by which loyal citi-
citizen may SO well demonstrate his devotion
TO his country as by sustaining the Flag, the
Constitution and the Union, under all cir
cumstanecs, ard under every Administration
(regardless Of party politics., against all as
sailantS at home and abroad. The course of
Clay and w ebster toward the Administration
Of zen. jackson, in the days of Nullfcation,
presents noble and worthy example for all
true patriots. At the very moment when
that fearful crisis was preciptated upon the
country, partisan strife between Wings and
Democrats was quite as bitter and relentless
as now between Democrats and Republicans.
The gulf which separated party leaders in
those days was quite as broad and deep as
that which now separates the Democracy and
the Republicans But the moment an enemy
rose in their midst, plotting ,he dismember.
ma Of tba IInipu ~ i tln 4 Of bn
Government, the voice of partisan strife was
hushed in patriotic silence Oae of the
brightest chapters in the history of our coun-
try will record tie fact that during this event
ful period the great leaders of the Opposition,
sinking lie partisan in the patriot, rushed to
the support OF the Government, and became
its ablest and bravest defenders against all
assailants until tie conspiracy was crushed
and abandoned when they resumed their
former positions as party leaders upon poit
cal issues.


These acts of patriotic devotion have never
been deemed evidences of infdelity or polit-
cal treachery, on the part of Clay and Web
ster to the principles and organization OF the
old Whig party. Nor have any arprehen-
sion that the firm and unanielous support
which the Democratic leaders and masses are
now giving to the Constitution and the Union
will be deemed evidences of infdelity to
Democratic principles, or a want of loyalty
to the organization and creed of the Demo
cratic party. If we hope to regain and per-
petuate the ascendency of our party, we
should never.orget ttat a man copuot be a
true Democrat unless he is n loyal patriot.


With the sincere hope thGt tkese my con-
scentious convictions may coincide with
those of my friends, | am. very truly,


Yours, STEPHEN A. DouG1As.


To VIRGIL HIcoX EsC.


Chairman State Democratic Committee





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