The Legislature of Illinois appropriated three millions of dollars for war purposes, and authorized the immediate
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| Stephen A. Douglas. |
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put away all political and personal prejudices, and, with the spirit and power of a sincere patriot, became the champion of the integrity of the Union.1 As soon as he was relieved from his senatorial duties at Washington, he hastened to Illinois and began battle manfully.
His speeches and conversation on the way had foreshadowed his course.
To the Legislature of his State he addressed arguments and exhortations, powerful and persuasive.
In Chicago he did likewise.
Alas! his warfare was brief.
He arrived at his home in Chicago on the 1st of May, suffering from inflammatory rheumatism.
Disease assumed various and malignant forms in his system, and on the 3d of June he died.2 His loss seemed to be peculiarly inauspicious at that time, when such men were so few and so much needed.
But his words were living and of electric power.
They were oracles for thousands, whose faith, and hope, and patriotism were strengthened thereby.3 His last coherent utterances were exhortations to his children and his countrymen to stand by the Constitution and the Government.
organization of the entire militia force of the State, consisting of all able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years. Michigan was equally aroused by the call of the President.
He asked of her one regiment only.
Ten days afterward she
1 In his last speech, made at Chicago, at the beginning of May, he said:--“This is no time to go into a discussion of the causes that have produced these results. The conspiracy to break up the Union is a fact now known to all. Armies are being raised and war levied to accomplish it. There can be but two sides to this controversy. Every man must be on the side of the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war. There can be none but traitors and patriots.”
2 The funeral of Senator Douglas was an imposing spectacle. His body was embalmed, and it lay in state in Bryan Hall, Chicago, where it was visited by thousands of sincere mourners. It was dressed in a full suit of black, and, the entire lid of the burial-case being removed, the whole person was exposed. The coffin was placed under a canopy or catafalque, in the center of the hall. The canopy was supported by four columns, and both were heavily draped in black. It was surmounted by an eagle, whose talons grasped the flag of the Union in a manner to allow it to lie, outspread, over a portion of the canopy. Each pillar was also surmounted by an eagle. At the foot of the coffin was a broken or truncated column, denoting the termination of a life in the midst of usefulness. At the head stood a vase of many kinds of flowers.
3 One of the last letters written by Mr. Douglas was addressed to
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| Douglas lying in State. |
Mr. Hicox, Chairman of the Illinois State Democratic Committee, in reply to one addressed to him on the great topic of the hour. It was full of suggestions of great moment and patriotic sentiments. In it he said:--“I know of no mode by which, a loyal citizen may so well demonstrate his devotion to his country as by sustaining the flag, the Constitution, and the Union, under all circumstances, and under any administration (regardless of party politics), against all assailants at home and abroad. The course of Clay and Webster toward the administration of General Jackson, in the days of nullification, presents a noble and worthy example for all true patriots.” He said in conclusion. “If we hope to regain and perpetuate the ascendency of our party, we should never forget that a man can not be a true Democrat unless he is a loyal patriot.” This letter was dated May 10, 1861.
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