Year: 1861

the last speeches made by the late Senator
DouaLAs in the Senate of the United
States. /. is an eloquent appeal for peace,
and perpetual protest against the causes
of the war. to the prosecution Of which,
when inaugurated, be gave the fall tribute
OF his mighty genius. This speech, taken
in connection With his subsequent, acts,
affords lasting memorial of the patriot
ism and the magnsuimity of his lofty soul.
He contended to the last moment, he ex-
bausted the last effort with the party aud
the Administration which controlled the
issues of peace and war, to save the coun
try from disruption, and the peop.e from
fialricidal strife, and when his warnings
were derided aud his appeals treated with
contempt, party prevailed over patriotism
and war was preferred to peace, he accept
ed the alternative il the spirit of patriot,
and without a single reservation he laid
upon the altar of his country all personal
pique and party pride, and pledged himself
in defence of the government. the policy of
which his judgment condemned.


He did not change his views or his
principles lie never endorsed the policy
of the Administration be never approved
the principles Of the party in power, or
justified its acts be believed TO the last
that the war was unnecessary, and might
have been averted by a different policy /;
but when he saw the government threat
ened, he saw before him no course but that
Of loyal citizen whose first du,y was to
defend the Constitution and the flag Of his
country. In all his subsequent speeches
he washed his hands of the causes Of the
war, and advocated it Only rs war OF
defence-not for aggression, subjugation,
or an overthrow of any of the rights guar
anteed by the Constitution; aud he looked
forward to no settlement ef the controver-
sy but through honorable concession and
just compromise, guaranteeing the rights
of sll sections in the Union. The country
has yet to learn By sad experience how
much it has Jos. in the death of this noble
patriot aud conservative statesman:


"If We consider the question calmly and
,,ol-o
the people of the Southern States that
they are safe and secure in their persons,
in their property. and in their family rela
tons within the Union, we can restore and
preserve it. If we cannot satisfy the pee.
pie of the border States that they may re
main in the Union with safety, dissolution
is inevitable. Then the simple question
comes back, what shall be the policy of
the Union men Of this country Shall it
be peace or war?


"The President of the United States
holds the destiny of this country in hi.
bands. | believe he means peace, and war
will be sverted unless lie is overruled bv
the disupion portion of his party. We
all know the irrepressible conflict is going
on in their camp; even debating whether
Fort Sumter shall be surrendered when it
is impossible to hold it; whether Major
Anderson shall not be kept there until he
starves to dea;h, or applies the torch with
his own hand to the match that blow. him
and his little garrison into eternity, for
fear that somebody Of the Republican par
ty might say you had backed down
What man in all America, with q heart in
his bosom, who knows the facts connected
with Fort Sumter, can hesitate in ssying
that duty, honor, patriotism, humanity,
require that Anderson and his gallant
band should be instantly withdrawn Sir,
Am not aft sid to say so. would scorn
to take party advantage or manufacture
partizan cspita. out of an act Of patriotism.
Then. throw aside thi. petty .quabbs
about how you are to ger along with your
pledges befor, election; meet the issues
as they are presented do what duty,
honor and patriotism require, and appeal
to the people to sustain you. Peace is
the only poicy'that can save the country
or save your party. Let peace be pro
claimed as the policy, and you will find
that! a thrill Of joy will animate the hear,
of every patriot in the land; confidence
will be restored business will be revived !;
JOY will gladden. every heart; bonfres will
blaze upon the hll>toPs and in the valleys,
and the church bell. will proclaim the glad
sidings in every city, town and village in
America, and the applause Of grateful
people will greet you everywhere. Pro-
claim the policy of war snd there will be
gloom and sadness and despair pictured
upon the face of every patriot in the land
A war of Kindred, family, and friends !;
father against son, mother against daugh.
ter, brother agains. brother, to subiugate
one half this country in obedience to the
other half; it you do not msan this, il
you mean peace, let this resolution bs
adopted, and give The President he oppor-
tuniiy, through the Secretary Of War, to
speak the word peace" and thirty nine
million people will bless him with their
prayers. and honor him with their shouts
Of jey."


JoHs BsLL FOR SECESSION "A special