and I think Douglas has.  It was he who first told me I should have trouble at Baltimore, and, pointing on the map, showed me the route by Perryville, Havre de Grace, and Annapolis, as the one over which our troops must come.  He impressed on my mind the necessity of absolutely securing Fortress Monroe and Old Point Comfort, and, in fact, I think he knows all about it.”  The President continued at some length to refer to the aid, counsel, and encouragement he had received from Judge Douglas, intimating that the relations subsisting between them were of the most amicable and pleasant nature.

It was evidently the purpose of Mr. Douglas, during the present crisis, to impress upon the country the fact, that at the outset he had declared himself a Union man, faithful to the Constitution and the upholding of its powers.

Mr. Douglas has left many friends and many opponents, but few enemies.  Careless of money, he died poor.  Generous to recklessness, he permitted his estate to become incumbered and taken from him.  Early in life he aimed at personal popularity, and obtained it.  In later years he desired legal honors, and they were his.  Successful in all he undertook, he raised his ambition to the highest post among his fellows, and its possession became the sole object of his life.  For its attainment he gave everything, yielded everything, did everything, and became everything, without success.  In all things he was extreme.  His loves and hates were strong.  His habits, however they may be estimated, were apparent to all.  His life—­was it a failure?

His death I will but mention.  It has plunged a loving family into sorrow, and taken from a party its leader.  Thousands of sentences gratifying to his friends are written about his greatness, and the sacredness of his memory; and no word will be uttered here to offend them.  He shall himself close this paper, and I will be the medium of conveying in his behalf a message to his fellow-countrymen,—­a message which he spoke into the ear of his watchful wife, for the future guidance of his orphan children:—­

“Reviving slightly, he turned easily in his bed, and with his eyes partially closed, and his hand resting in that of Mrs. Douglas, he said, in slow and measured cadence,—­

“’TELL THEM TO OBEY THE LAWS AND SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.’”

OUR RIVER.

(FOR A SUMMER FESTIVAL AT “THE LAURELS” ON THE MERRIMACK.)

  Once more on yonder laurelled height
    The summer flowers have budded;
  Once more with summer’s golden light
    The vales of home are flooded;
  And once more, by the grace of Him
    Of every good the Giver,
  We sing upon its wooded rim
    The praises of our river: 

  Its pines above, its waves below,
    The west wind down it blowing,
  As fair as when the young Brissot
    Beheld it seaward flowing,—­
  And bore its memory o’er the deep
    To soothe a martyr’s sadness,
  And fresco, in his troubled sleep,
    His prison-walls with gladness.