Ashmun, of Massachusetts, called upon him on the day after the fall of Sumter, April 14th, 1861, just as the President was completing his proclamation and call for seventy-five thousand militia.

“No man can render greater service to the country than yourself now, Mr. Douglas,” said Mr. Ashmun; “and I want you to go the President and assure him of your cordial support in all necessary measures to subdue the rebellion.”

“Mr. Lincoln has dealt hardly with me, in removing some of my friends from office,” replied Mr. Douglas, “and I don’t know as he wants my advice or aid.”

“But Mr. Lincoln followed Democratic precedents in such removals,” suggested Mr. Ashmun. “However, this is a time when the question of saving the Union towers above all party affiliations, and you can put the country under lasting gratitude to yourself, and show the people, also, that, in the hour of national peril, you can trample all party considerations under your feet.”

“True, very true,” responded Mr. Douglas, with considerable emotion; “and no man shall excel me in devotion to my country. My whole nature rises up to condemn this rebellion.”

Here Mrs. Douglas, who was present, joined Mr. Ashmun in the most affectionate appeals to her husband to take the important step suggested. The result was that Senator Douglas accompanied his friend to the White House, where the two “giants” and former antagonists of the West were brought face to face. Grasping the President by the hand, Mr. Douglas said,—

“You are my President, Mr. Lincoln, as well as the country’s.”

The President’s heart was touched, and he shook the senator’s hand heartily, thanking him for his cordial support, and assuring him that the administration would appreciate his patriotic position.

“Now permit me to read to you this important document,” added Mr. Lincoln, taking up his proclamation, in which he called for seventy-five thousand troops; “you understand the situation as well or better than I, and you will readily see the wisdom or unwisdom of the measure.”

Senator Douglas signified his desire to hear the document read. Slowly, seriously, and distinctly Mr. Lincoln read it through, when, without waiting to be asked, Mr. Douglas said,—

“Mr. President, I cordially concur in every word of that document, except that, instead of the call for seventy-five thousand men, I would make it two hundred thousand. You do not know the dishonest purposes of those men as well as I do.”

Turning to a map hanging on the wall, he pointed out the many strategic points that should be strengthened at once, and closed by adding that “the Government must pursue a firm and warlike course to crush the rebellion.”

On retiring from the President’s room, Mr. Ashmun said,—

“You have done justice to your own reputation and to the President; and the country must know it. The proclamation will go by telegraph in the morning all over the country, and the account of this interview must go with it. I shall send it either in my own language or yours. I prefer you should give your own version.”

Mr. Douglas consented to write the dispatch, and the following day the country knew that he stood side by side with Mr. Lincoln in saving the Union. From that time until Mr. Douglas died the President numbered him among his true and tried friends. He rendered valuable assistance to Mr. Lincoln in learning the plans of the rebels and disclosing their real animus. The President regarded his death as a public bereavement.