Year: 1861

Able and Important Letter from soma


tor DSHslas. @ e


The following from Senator Douglas mp
pears in the National Intelligencer. 1t is a
strong and pertinent document. ..-...-..-


CHICAGO, May, 10Th.
My Dear Sir:-Being deprived of the use
of my arms for the present, by a severe attack
of rheumatism, am compelled to avail my
self of the services Of an amanuensis in reply
to your two letters. .


1t seems that some Of my friends are unable
to comprehend the difference between arcu.
nlents used in favor of an equitable comprom
Use, with the hope of averting the horrors of
war, and those urged in the support of the
Government and the hag.o our country, when
war is being waged against the United Statcs
with the avowed purpose of producing per-
manent disruption Of the Union and total
destruction Of its Government r.---- -


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 reconstruction in any contiugen-
cy-not even if we would furnish them with
Dlank sheet of paper and permit them to H.
scribe their own terms.


Still the hope was cherished that reasonable
and satisfactory terms Of adjustnteHt could be
agreed upon with Tennessee, North Carolina
ana the Border States, and that whatever
terms would prove satisfactory to these loyal
states would create Union party in the Cet-
Ton States which would be powerful enough
at the ballet box to destroy the Revolutionary
Government and bring those States back irtd
the Y MON by the voice of their own people
lhls hope was cherished by the Union RIGn
North and South, and was never abandoned
until actual war was levied at Charleston, and
the authoritative announcement made bv the
revolutionary Government at Montgomery that
the secession flag should be planted upon the
walls oil the Capitol at Washington, and pro-
clamatlon Issued inviting the pirates of the
world to prey upon the commerce of the Uni
ted States.


The startling fact taken in connection with
the boaStful announcement that the ravages of
war and carnage should be transferred from
the cotton fields of the South to the wheat
fields and corn fields of the North, furnish COM
elusive evidence that it was the fixed purpose
OF the seccssionists to destroy the Government
OF cur fathers, and to obliterate the Uni
ted States from the face of the map of the
world.


In view Of this state of facts there was but
one part Of Guty left to the patriot mon, It
4Eas not a party question, nor a question in
volYng partisan policy; was a question Of
Government or no Government, country or no
country; and hence it becomes the impressive
duty of every Union man, every friend of con-
stltutlonal liberty, TO rally to the support of
our common country, its Government and flag,
as the only means of checking the progress
OF revolution and of preserving the Union of
the States


am unable to answer your question in re.
spect to the policy of Mr. Lincoln and his Cab
met. 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 apolog 8. fer the errors of the Admin
istratiOn- My previous relations to them re-
main unchanged; bnt trust the time will new
er come when shall not be willing to make |
any needful sacrifice of personal feeling and
party policy for the honor and integrity Of my
/


know no mode by which LOYAL citizen
may so well demonstrate his devotion to his
country, as by sustaining the flag, the Consti
tuition aud the Union, under all circumstances,
AMI under every Administrations, (fegardless of
party politicsi) against all assailants at home
and abroad.


The course of Clay and EYebstef towards +!
the Administration of General jackson, in the
days of Modification, presents noble and
worthy example for all true patriots. At the |
very moment when that fearful crisis was pre- |
cipitated upon the county, partsian strife be- /
tween Wings and Democrats was quite as Bit !
ter 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 from !
the Republicans. Bat the moment all enemy |
rose in our midst. plotting the dismemberment !
Of the Union and the destruction Of the Gov
the voice Of PaftisiaH strife was hush /
I'd 10 patriotic sieHCe. One of the brightest !
chapters in the history Of our country will re-
cord the fact that during this eveBttul period, |
The great leaders of the D i,position sinking the |
partisan into tbs patriot, rushed to the sup
port OF the Government, and became its ableSt /
md bravest defenders against all assailants un+
Ill the conspiracy was crushed and abandonel,
when they resumed their former position as
eaders upon political issues.


These acts of patriotic devotion have never
been deemed evidences of infidelity or political
on the part of Gay aid Webster TO
he principles and organizations of the cid
Whig party. Nor have I any apprehension
that the firm and unanimous support which
he Democratic leaders and masses are now
giving to tie Constitution and the Union will |
ever be deemed evidences Of inf lelity to Dem
ocratic principles, or a wart Of loyalty to the
organization and creed of the Democratic par
y. If We hope to regain and pcrpetuate the
Of our party, we should never for
get that a man cannot be a true Democrat un-
ess he is loyal patriot.


With the sincere hope that these my cousci-
sntious convictions may concide with those of
ny friends, am very truly, yours


STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.


To VIRGIL WILCOX, Esq,


Chairman State Democratic Com


--sS--


Beef.


The bids for supplying cattle on the hoof