Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-04-06
MIR. LAWRENCE,S LETTER.
BosToN, March 22d, 1887,

To THE Hon. Amor LAWRENCE.
/ SIR-M a meeting Of n number Of your fnte
! constituents, held on the 18th inst the undersgn-
/ ed were appointed committee, 10 communicate
with you in reference 10 proposed Public Din
! ner--which they would tender You slight in-
( dicaion Of their personal esieen and their sense
Of your public character. Your retirement from
I Congress renders the present moment peculiarly
appropriate for the proiler of such an attention by
your political friends, aud removes all the obec-
tions TO is acceptance that might have been pre-
,iocsly suggested by your official position.
n The relations Of representative tO his consiita
ents expose him to their animadvrrsion hen he
has abused or neglected his trust: and give linn
lasting claim their respect and gratitude, when
he has faithfully and honoraby discharged IT.
| We desire then to render you no unneaning com
! pliment by this invitation. We feel deeply and
sincerely that vour public course has g wen you
an additional title 10 the ln,or Of your fellow c-
zens; and we re- joce that the many personal at
tachments, which have followed you IN IA private
career Of great enterprise and usefulness, have
been dcepened and Strengthened by the fidelity OF
your political service.
!, We are aware that, in your brief Congression
al term, you have been placed in novel and en-
barraSsng situations involving in many instances
immediate aud urgent responsibility: but we are
yinced that your course upon all occasions has
been not merely gratifying TO the party by which
you were elected, and consistent with the best IN
terests Of your native Commonwealth but such
ns to command the respect Of very adverse inter
ests aud principles The frinness and ability
with which you have resisted that double league
against the rights Of the People-developed in the
proposed unjust surrender Of the Public Lands. =
aud the ruinous reduction Of the Tariff, under the
specious prctext of reduction Of the Revenue
icy in a arfic ulnFf rel
extraord ordinary measures. The lavish dispensation
Of Executive bounes--so so well calculated ~ break
down the spirit, aud pros,rate the Independence
Of Congress has proved fortunately insufficient
to destroy all respect for tho Popular VIII: and
we cannot too highly approve the course pursued
by a majority Of the IIouse-and by yourself as
one Of their nunber-in the exercise OF a consti-
tutional prerogative TO compel The acquesccnce o!
subser, lent Senate and reluctant Executive in "A
Distribution of the Treasury Surplus. Such
measure was imperatively demanded. not merely
to restore the money Of the People to lis leg't'-
mate owners, but to absorb a fruitful source OF
corrupt influence and control in the Executives; n
department that must be shorn of its feariuly ang
n,ened powers, FIVE would preserve even the form
Of a Republican Government.
! II was not our intention, however, To comment
on these important topics: and though apprehen-
| syc that we have already said more than the oc-
casion may seem to require, we know not how
we could have said less in justice either to your
feelings or our own. We hope that YOU will
name an early day to comply with the invitation
we have the pleasure 10 communcate-and 10
eceive in person IA renewed assurance Of the re-
spect and gratitude of your late constituents. In
their behalf
We have the honor 10 be your friends
II and fellow citizens, &c.
THOMAS b. Curtis, ALBERT FEARING,
II Henry r. BAKER, JAMES X. Mills,
G. w CARTwRIGHr, IlrNRY EDWARDS,
PARKER II. PIERcE, ENocH lloBART,
WM. BRIGHAM,' JAMES III. READ,
! NATH'I HAMMOND, ANDREW i. HALL,
JOSEPH NJ. BRowN, Z. p. llARTsHoRN,
! VIM. HALEs.
| Bosrox, March 25,h, 1887.
GENTLEMEN,
! Your letter Of the 22d inst. received
: last evening, inviting me, in behalf OF
: number of my late constituents,to accep'
Of Public Dinner, which you have been
pleased to say is rendered to me as tes'
tmony of respect for my private, and an
approval Of my public character.
Il This unexpected demonstration of es-
tccm and confidence &C oming from those,
with many of whom have been associa-
ted for years, even from the day that J
first entered this city, a poor, unknown,
and lriendIess boy fills me with the deep
est sensibi',y, and demands my most
grateful and profound acknowledgements.
! When | accepted the hig and impor-
,ant trust of represe nting this District in
i Congress, well knew the responsibility
/ | had assumed, and did not take upon
:, my self without much solicitude, distrust-
ing my ability TO fulfil the reasonable ex-
pectations ofmy friends.
Il felt that great indulgence would be
extended to me, in consequence OF my
entire want Of experience, never having
y before been member Of Legislative
body; but could not forget the dist'n-
guished individuals who had preceded
me, all Of them eminent for their talents,
requirements and practical information.
These considerations increased The
weight Of responsibility which already
Oppressed me; took my seat IN Con
; press with n full knowledge OF my dehci-
encies, but with feeling Of patriotic
devotion 10 the Public interests, which i
fondly hoped would sustain me, not only
| in the House, but with my constituents
and the country.
1.-THE trust conGded to me by the peo-
pIc Of tbi. District has been discharged
to their satisfaction, it is the highest re-
ward that can be conferred upon me.
\ In the discharge Of my public duties,
it has becn my fate to entertain Opinions
differing from those Of the hte Execn