From the hour of actual danger, Mr.Douglas had spoken no partisan word, had known no partisan division, had labored only for the government of the nation, had looked only to its safety and its honor.

He had a larger following than any other party leader of his day.

Nearly a million and a half of men believed in his principles, were devoted to him personally, trusted him implicitly.

The value of his active loyalty to the Union may be measured by the disaster which would have been caused by hesitation on his part.

When he returned to his State, after the firing on Sumter, the Republican Legislature of Illinois received him with a display of feeling as profound as that with which they would have welcomed Mr.Lincoln.