Hickox, Virgil (1806-1881) to Stephen Arnold Douglas
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05621.01 Author/Creator: Hickox, Virgil (1806-1881) Place Written: Springfield, Illinois Type: Letter signed Date: 4 May 1861 Pagination: 2 p. ; 22.7 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
Hickox, Chairman of the Democratic State Committee, discusses President Abraham Lincoln's call for volunteers to suppress "revolutionary combinations opposing the laws of the Union." Encourages Douglas, a Democratic United States Senator from Illinois, to publicly discuss Lincoln's request and the impending war. States " ... it will be important for you to make a full explanation, either in a speech to be published or in a letter ... the public desire to know why Congress was not called in extra session at an earlier day than the 4th day of July." Labeled as a copy.
Douglas served as United States Representative from Illinois 1843-1846, and as Senator 1847-1862.
Democratic State Committee Rooms
Springfield May 4th,, 1861.
(Copy)
Hon" S A Douglas.
Dear Sir: I annex a dispatch as follows -
"Washington May 3rd The President issued a proclamation saying that exigencies demanded immediate and adequate measures for the protection of the constitution and its preservation by suppressing revolutionary combinations opposing the laws of the Union, and calls into service for three years unless sooner discharged 42 000 volunteers and directs an increase in the regular army by Eight regiments of infantry one of cavalry one for artillery and 18,000 Seamen for not less than one or more than three years services. Plan of enlistment and organization to be submitted to Congress when assembled. He earnestly invokes the Co-operation of all good citizens to aid in the suppression of revolutions and the enforcement of the laws for the speediest possible restoration of peace"
[2] Your democratic friends read with much pleasure your remarks on the powers of the government, made in the Senate on the 13th and 23rd of March last. We have also perused your speech made in this city with much pleasure. Still there is a void left to them unexplained, a seeming discrepancy, Now for you to retain the hold that you have on the masses of Democrats it will be important for you to make a full explanation. Either in a speech to be published or in a letter
I hope that you will do this at an early day
One other thing, you are supposed to be in the confidence of Mr Lincoln. The public desire to know why Congress was not called in extra session at an earlier day than the 4th,, day of July.
To save yourself with our friends something must be done immediately in my judgement,
Yours respectfully
V. Hicox
Chairman Democratic
State Committee.
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