Litchfield enquirer., 1839-04-04


this communication as convenience will permit is soil.
cited. With great respect,
... your fellow citizens,
JONATHAN COE,
ROGER MILLS.
Lischfeld March 17th, 1882
GENTLEMEN-The use which the Partially Of friends
has made OF my name in reference to the approach
ing election would according to one OF the ancient
customs Of New England, impose on me profound ST.
lenee touching all matters which have bearing on
the issue that shortly to he decided by the people,
This custom was established by men Of singular
confidence is to be reposed in general character
Of candidate, and the principles views, and motives
which have usually actuated his conduct than upon
any thing which he can offer on the eve OF IN excl
ting election.
The acquisition of knowledge of these particulars
has recently been greatly facilitated by division OF
the State into Congressional Districts. and no man
without being within striking distance of every cleo.
tor in the County. For my part, am free to cay,
that if thought could not trust candidate upon
the general considerations above Indicated should
place no reliance on n special declaration of SEMI.
ment, which, in too manv cases, will be adroltly
drawn up with view, if possible, to please some,
and offend none.
But there is much more serious topic to which
must advert and hat is the construction which would
certainly he given to categorical answer to your in
Gres i would be- considered solemn pledge
curing the stigma of perfidy cannot believe that
you either expect wish me togive any snch pledge,
or 10 do any thing to conravena the principle upon
which every delherative assembly is organized that
mutual consultation and grave deberatiOn should pre-.
cede decision. In addition to this, it is well known
that the community is much divided on the subject ct
slaverv-n0t as to the enormity OF the evil but as 10
the adaptation of certain means for it's extinction to
the end proposed. A large and very respectable
class Of nv fellow citizens believe that this institution
ettulon of society in the slavehoding States, is so
entrenched behind variety Of barriers, aud is sur
rounded by such vast mass OF c0mbustbe materials,
that we can gain access to i only with much dfcgl.
~, and that many interesting considerations require
US 10 act with the utmost prudence and caution.
Another class. equally respectable. whose rectude
ofmoive and philanthropy ofpnrpose never doubted,
consider s!a very vicious and nnseemly excrescence
on the body poitic communicating the whole system,
and producing nOlemble irritation in oil its parts, for
which there is no other safa or practicable remedy
would not be presumptuous for me TO pronounce per
emptorily between these opinions, when have not
felt myself called upon, until the present moment, to
give the subject much consideration
Bu: Ifcelno difficulty in communicating nv views
touching questions Of indspuable right where there
can be neither concession nor compromise, and such
other matters of nature 20 plain and paIpahle
that the whole community, especially with We, will be
likely to unite in the same result.
can therefore say that, in common with those who
have had an agency in bringing my name before the
o ama
y to be wished" that it is sad commentary on those
principles of freedom and equality which were in
,ons ,ho, ,ba ,ords If he Cons,;,nion cnnisrr;no
upon Congress the mower TO exercise exclusive Ie.
psa,oa in ali cases whotsoever over the Dstrict of
Columbia are sufIicentIv broad IN cln,he that hodv
with mower to annihlate fshouId thew deem il expe.
dent this evil at the seat Of Government that the in
State into our Union is totally unauthorized by he
Constin,rion and II il were otherwise The measure
woud be inexpedien if the effect woud he TO extend
and agornyate The disease which an would extirpate
possible from our system, and especially do think
speech pettion. and the press that these sacred i'm
mnnit;es n,,oht moi TO be trfed with nor FILTERED
awav thai no tvrannous maoriiy should establish an
" Atherton oag' nor awless mob rample under foot
peaceabe and unofending citizens assembled to con-
fnlgencs of reason. religion. and truth.
With resnect To The admission of new States toler
atno slavery n paricipaiion of the blessings of the
federal comnac, would observe, that no such app-
cation will be made, except by the territory Of For
herself AZ Arkansas did, with constitution denying
TO her Ieeisafure the power of emancipation. and
nassno an reversible sentence of BONDAGE AGAINST
hapess race shond dread the responsibility Of Civ.
inc her n Mace among The stars Of our Union
But Gentlemen If were to pursue the subject fur
ter sSnniS T.. ~ danger az trenchimg nnon nnes.
inns NJ xnedencv in respect to which suppose Won
,v;n Saon, = rgh; Eor me IN hold mvseH onen m re-
ceve- weigh and consider the views and opinions Of
All cs.Ses ~ nv FLOW citizens. and can assure Won
s,;" ~ sc. On he shects To which Won advert and
Other ton;cs Of kndred nature [ shall give such
v;av. spJ onn;on" resneetlul and candid consider.
ation and having collected al the LIGHT n INV power
snail endea vor Meaning in view the nsnod evils OF
savervS 70 come 70 snch conclusions as are in INV
81 our common country.