Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “Signs of Fright,” August 20, 1858

    Source citation
    “Signs of Fright,” Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, August 20, 1858, p. 2: 1.
    Newspaper: Publication
    Chicago Press and Tribune
    Newspaper: Headline
    Signs of Fright
    Newspaper: Page(s)
    2
    Newspaper: Column
    1
    Type
    Newspaper
    Date Certainty
    Exact
    Transcriber
    Don Sailer, Dickinson College
    Transcription date
    The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print. Spelling and typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.

    Signs of Fright – Douglas in a Tremor – Reconciliation with Old Buck Attempted.

    DOUGLAS is frightened out of his boots. The “uprising of the masses” does not follow his presence; the “enthusiasm of the people” is all for his opponent; the Americans will not be cajoled; the Republicans listen and turn away unconvinced; the Buchaneers are increasing in number and ferocity; the bolters are discouraged and disheartened. The case seems desperate indeed, and a change of tactics is resolved upon. An embassy has been dispatched to Washington to conciliate Mr. BUCHANAN and the Cabinet, and, if possible, save the little conspirator from the fate by which he is threatened! One of Mr. DOUGLAS’ special friends, one of Mr. BUCHANAN’S warmest supporters, and a nondescript who does not exactly know where he is or how he came there, make up the mixed commission, and to-day are probably at the White House “check by jowl” with Old Lecompton. It is understood here that Mr. DOUGLAS’ friends, with or without (we do not know which) his concurrence, propose to withdraw their State Ticket, to call a new State Democratic Convention, with the understanding that DOUGHERTY and REYNOLDS are to be its nominees, and to patch up a truce, leaving DOUGLAS to fight his own battles as he may; confident, however, that under this management he will be sure to win. In fact, they are willing to lay down their arms and surrender at discretion – to swallow any dose, no matter how nauseous, that the President may prescribe.

    We have been confident that it would all come to this at last. The building up of a personal party, in opposition to the Democracy, is what no man has ever succeeded in doing, and Mr. DOUGLAS is as little calculated to win in such a game as any of his predecessors; hence we are not at all surprised to see his friends give up in despair. Everything now depends upon Mr. BUCHANAN’S clemency. Will he pardon the rebels? That’s the question. We await advices from Washington.

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