1864 Memorial Resolution - in Memory of Stephen A. Douglas

Handwritten. Good. No Binding. 1864. HANDWRITTEN 1st DRAFT OF A RESOLUTION TO RAISE FUNDS (by the national delegates to the Democratic Convention) for the family of Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois (the Democratic presidential candidate of the famous 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates). Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, statesman and patriot, ran against Abraham Lincoln in the historic 1858 Presidential election. Douglas died suddenly in June, 1861, and at the Democratic National Convention of 1864, the first after Douglas died, a resolution was adopted to raise charitable funds for his family. The final resolution was presented to Douglas's widow and children, who were 'left in comparative indigence by the sudden decease of their supporter'. This initial draft to benefit the widow and children of Stephen A. Douglas - had $2000 commited thus far [as written on reverse of sheet]. The first subscriber was August Belmont Sr., a German-American financier, diplomat, politician and party chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Belmont was also a horse-breeder, racehorse owner, and founder-namesake of the Belmont Stakes (the third leg of the Triple Crown series of American Thoroughbred horse racing) This initial draft was in the possession of Sanford E. Church - Democratic Lieutenant Governor and Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals, and was in Sanford Church's great-grandson's estate, who attached a typed-note conveying his understanding of the draft. Transcript of the Resolution: Whereas, since the session of the last National Convention of the Democracy of the Union, it has pleased Divine Providence, by a mysterious dispensation to remove from the counsels of the nation that great statesman, and Patriot Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. And whereas the loss sustained in his death, common to the country, and in any event peculiarly afflictive to the immediate circle of his relations, has fallen with more than ordinary weight upon his wife and children, who have been left in comparative indigence by the sudden decease of their...and supporter, who had given so much to his country that he had reserved nothing for these...ones whose claims to the nations gratitude the great Patriot might well leave to the nations recognition: Be it therefore Resolved that we the undersigned delegates to this Democratic National Convention now assembled at Chicago, and persons in attendance...do hereby subscribe these sums of money set opposite our names, to constitute a fund for the benefit of the widow, and to the care and education of the children of Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. And be it further resolved, that Sanford E. Church of New York, Geoff. Cass of Pennsylvania, David W. Gage of Illinois, and Daniel P. Rhodes of Ohio, be and say as hereby appointed a committee to collect and transmit to Mrs. Douglas the amount hereby contributed with the expression of affectionate regard of the subscribers for the family of...Statesman. Domestic s&h $20. .