Year: 1860

| the Supreme Court to expound the laws and re-
| strain all Illegal and unconstitutional acts, the
President will be utterly powerless for evil, il he
should have the disposition to do wrong. Even in
the distribution Of his patronage, he would be de-
| pendent upon the Senate for the confirmation of
his nominees to office, so that he cannot appoint a


bad man to office without the consent Of those in
whom the South confdes. A partisan President,
thus tied hand and foot, powerless for good or
evil, without the consent and support of his polti
| cal opponents, should be the object Of pity and


commiseraton, rather than of fear and apprehen-
sion, by brave and chiEarous people. What
| good or harm can he do to any body, except to
humble the pride and wound the sensibilities Of a


large portion Of the American people by occupy
ing the chair once filled by Washington Jefferson,
Madison and jackson? Does this fact furnish suf-
| fcient cause for destroying the best Government
of which the history of the world gives an exam
| pie? -Four years will soon pass away, when the
ballotbox will furnish peaceful, legal and con-
stitutonal remedy for all the evils and grievances
with which the country may be afflicted.


If, in the meantime. any act shall be perpetrated


which shall violate impair the rights of any cit-
zen or State, or shall endanger the pease and safety
of any portion Of eur people for which lie Gonsti-
tuition and laws shall fail to provide adequate and
efficient remedies, the time will then have arrived
for those who think the Constitution has been dis.
| regarded and the Federal power perverted to pur-
poses inconsistent with their safety, honor and
equality, TO consult and deliberate upon the nature
extent and mode of redress.


do not anticipate, nor do deem it possible in
the present condition of the country, that, under
the administration of Mr.. Lincoln, any act can be
perpetrated that would destroy or impair the con-
stitutiona rights of the Citizen OF invade the re-
served rights of the States upon the subject of
slavery; but, if / should find myself painfully mis-
taken on this point, have no hesitation in express
sing my deliberate conviction that such an outrage
would not only make the Southern people a unit.
but would arouse and consolidate all the consery-
ative elements Of the North in firm and determined
resistance, by overwhelming majorities.


In such event, the South would occupy ali
impregnable position. With her own people united
and animated by one sentiment-the unfaIterinr
resolve to maintain and defend their rights and
liberties as won by the blood of their fathers and
guaranteed by the Constitution of their country,
they could safely rely upon the justice of their cause
and confidently expect the sympathy of the civilized
world and the choicest blessings of Divine Proyi.
dence while struggling for the right. Under these
circumstances | can perceive no just cause, no
reasonable ground for such rash and precipitate
action as would plunge into the horrors of reyolu-
ton, anarchy and bankruptcy, the happiest people,
the most prosperous country and the best Govern
ment the sun of Heaven ever shed his genial rays
upon.


TO those, if any such there may be, who look
upon disunion and Southern eonfederaey as
thing desirable in itself, and are only waiting for
an opportunity to accomplish that which had been
previously resolved upon-the election of Lincoln
may furnish pretext for preeipitating the South
ern States into revolution. But to those who re.
gard the Union under the Constitution as our faith
ers made it, the most precious legacy ever be-
aueathed to free people by patriotic ancestry
and are determined to maintain it as long as their
rights and liberties, equality and honor are pro-
tected by it, the election of Mr. Lincoln. in nv
humble opinion, presents no just cause no rea-
sonable excuse for disunion


Having discussed all the questions at issue freely
and elaborately in my addresses to the people
during the recent canvass, l do not perceive that
any patriotic objects can be advanced by any fur
ther public discussions my part prior to resum-
ing my seat in the Senate. That the passions and
animosites engendered by recent contests NAV
soon give place to reason and patriotism; that
calm and wise eounsels may prevail, and fraternal
feeling be restored; that the Constitution NAV be
preserved inyolate, and the Union maintained for
ever is the ardent hope and fervent prayer of your
friend and fellow citizen, S. A. DOUGLAS.


New Orleans, Nov. 13, 1860.