Year: 1860

his party Will have the power, even IT they
have the disposition, to disturb or impair
the rights and institutions of the South,
either in the States or Territories, or in the
District Of Columbia? They certainly can.
not do it under the existing laws. Will
they have the power to repeal or change
those laws, or enact others? It is well
known that they will be in minority in
both Houses of Congress, with the Su-
premc Court against them. In the North
ern States there have been elected already
sufficient number Of Democratic members
of Congress. bold and true national men,
plc' 'ged to the Cincinnati platform and the
doctrine Of non-intervtntion by Congress
with the question OF slavery in the States
and Territories, and the District Of Colum-
bia, who, added to the Southern Rcpresen-
tatives. will give at least twenty majority
against Mr.. Lincoln and his party, on all
these questions. In the Senate there is
also decided and reliable majority
Hence no bill can pass either house of Con-
gress, impairing or disturbing the rights or
institutions Of the Southern people, ia any
manner whatever, unless portion Of the
Southern Senators and Representatives
absent themselves, so as to give an Aboli-
ton majority in consequence Of their ab-
scrcc.


In a minority in both houses of Con.
gress, with the Supreme Court to expound
the laws and restrain all illegal and uncon-
stitutional acts, the President will be utter.
" powerless for evil, if he should have the
disposition to do wrong. Even in the
distribution Of his patronage, he would be
dependent upon the Senate for the confir-
nation Of his nominees to Office. so that he
cannot appoint bad man to office without
the consent of those in whom the South
contidcs. A partisan President, thus tied
hand and foot, powerless for good or evil,
without the support and consent of his
political opponents, should be the object of
pity and commiscraton rather than of fear
and apprehension, by brave and chival-
rous people. What good or harm can he
do to anybody, except to humble the pride
and wound the scnsibilities Of large
portion Of the American people, by occupy
ing the chair once filled by Washington,
Jefferson, Madison and jackson? Does
this fact furnish sufficient cause for dcs-
troying the best government of which the
history of the world gives an example,
Four years will soon pass away, when the
ballot box will furnish q peaceful. legal,
and constitutional remedy for all the evils
and grievances with which the country may
be afflicted


Ii, IN the meantime, any act shall be per-
petrated which shall violate or impair the
rights Of any citizen or State, or shall en-
danger the peace and safety of any portion
of our people for which the Constitution
and laws shall fail to provide adequate and
efficient remedies, the time will then have
arrived for those who think the Constitu-
ton has ben disrcgarted and the Federal
power perverted to purposes inconsistent
with their safety, honor and equality, to
consult and deliberate upon the nature, ex-
tent and mode of redress.


| do not anticipate, nor do deem it pos
sblc in the present condition of the coun-
try, that under the administration Of Mr.
Lincoln, any act can be pcrpetrated that
would destroy or impair the constitutional
rights Of the citizen, or invade the reserved
rights of the States upon the subject of
slavery; but, il should find myself pain
fully mistaken on this point, have no hes
itation in expressing my deliberate convic-
ton that such an outrage would not only
make the Southern people a unit, but wo' d
arouse and consolidate all the conservative
clements of the North IN firm and deter
mined resistance by overwhelming major-
tics.


In sch an event, the South would oc.
cupy an i,nprcgnable position. With her
own people united and animated by one
sentiment unfalterlng resolve to main
tain 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 ex.
pect the sympathy of the civilized world
and the choicest blessings of divine provi-
dence while struggling for the right. Un-
der these circumstances, | can perceive no
just cause, no roaSonabl: cause, no Just
ground for such rash and precipitate action
as would plunge into the horrors of revolu-
ton, anarchy and bankruptcy, the happiest
people, the most prosperous country, and
the best government the sun of Heaven ever
shed her genial rays upon. To those, if
any such there may be, who look upon dis
union and Southern confederacy as a
thing desirable in Itself, and are only wait
ing for an opportunity 10 accomplish that
which had been previously resolved upon
the election of Mr.. Lincoln may furnish q
pretcxt for precipitat ng the Southern States
into revolution. Bot to those who regard
the Union under the Constitution as our
fathers made it, the most precious legacy
ever bcqueathed to a free people by patri.
otto ancestry, and are determined to main
tain It as long as their rights and liberties,
equality and honor are protected by it, the
election Of Mr.. Lincoln, in my humble
opinion, presents no just cause no reason
able excuse for disunion.


Having discussed all the questions at is.
sue, freely and elaborately, in my addresses
to the people during the recent canvass, |
do not perceive that any patriotic objects
can be advanced by any further public dis
cussons on my part prior to resuming my
seat in the Senate. That the passions and
animositiss engendered by the recent con-
tests may soon give place to reason and pat
rotism; that calm and wise counscls NAV
prevail, and fratcrnal feeling be restored;
that the Constitution may be preserved in.
violate, and the Union maintained forever,
is the ardent hope and fervcnt prayer of
your friend and fellow citizen.


S. A. DOUGLAS.


New Orleans, Nov. l3, 1860.
THE LovISG KINDNESS OF GoD.-The
loving kindness of God what beautiful
expression! How rich and consoling the
thought contained in it? 1t is not mere
good will, nor mere complaccnt friendship,
nor mere neirhhorlv Kindness of human