Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-03-13
JOHN S. Harrison,
From the Virginia Free Press.
LETTER FROM COL. MASON.

The following letter from Mr.. Mason was ad-
dressed to gentleman of this county, by whom it
has been handed for publication.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,, !
Feb. 81, 1889,
DEAR SIR II have received in due course,
yours Of the 23d inst and with pleasure and frank
ly will respond to its enquiries.
am not unaware that it has been my misfortune
in common with many others, to have incurred the
censure of portion of my political friends, because
of differences ofopinion questions that have
lately arisen, of leading interest to the country.
Such differences are harmless, and have heretofore
been so treated, when they arise on questions OF
mere expediency, not involving any OF those princi-
pies upon which parties in our country are divided.
They become mischievous only, when, without esti-
mating the true grounds of difference, members of
a party become rritated against each other in adj
vance, and when, by mutual ordinations, dssen'
sions, temporary in their nature, become inhamed
into incurable resentments.
However steadily we may keep in view the
great land marks Of party, is impossible but that
such differences must occasionally arise-they
have their origin in that freedom of thought and
action which is the boast and the safe guard
of our popular Institutions. Our own party has
never been exempt from them-and when they in
vove departure in principle, it is the part of
wisdom certainly to heal and to reconcile, rather
than to widen the separation of friends.
ject of your letter. Since have been honored
with a seat in Congress, question of grave and Sc
rous import to the highest interests of the nation,
has been sprung suddenly upon us-invoving to no
extent, any of those principles which have hereto
fore bound parties together, and endued them with
common mind; yet, of such magnitude to chal-
lenge the most profound and deliberate considera-
ton. l confess that came to its discussion with
the single purpose of doing, far lay with me,
/ rnig oh hes for bai sof tba
country. To treat it only party question, was,
to my mind, not only unwise, but impractcabe;
because on no question that has ever agated our
public counsels, was the public mind unsettled
AS that, up to the time when Congress convened
at the special session. None could even tell what
the Executive recommendation would be on the sub
ject. So true indeed is this, that unless my men,
ory sgrevously at fault, (and have
to the files } only few days before Congress met
it announced in the Enquirer (the acknow-
lodged party organ in Virginia) that the President
would not recommend that system of measures
which his message came after to disclose.
will not here 60 into the reasons which forced
me to conclusions different from those attained by
the President-they have been heretofore given at
large to my constituents in the debate of that day.
| will say this only in addition, that saw no trait
ofparty properly pertaining to the subjects involved;
and that unless was willing at once to yield my
judgement at the dictation OF others, | could
not concur in what did not approve.
The great subject of discussion however has for
the present, passed by-and l should say, that
those who really disposed to harmonize our re.
publican counses, would be disposed rather TO look
forward to unity hereafter, than to indulge in re-
prosches for the past.
For myself feel that have not been in the least
degree afectedby the position in WHICH have been
placed. | can neverle myself to the support of a
partywth which have nothingi in common, because
it has been my misfortune have differed on certain
measures with that to which properly belong
On the earliest oscasion that presentedtsef at this
session. in reply to gentlemen from New York, |
entered formal protest against any such implica
tion-and whether in public or private life, my fu-
ture course shall be distinctly marked,
On the great and absorbing question in our pub
lie affairs the succession to the Presidency the
question which more than any other as parties are
traced, serves to classify men, have no hesta-
ton in proclaiming my present opinions. Between
Mr.. Van Buren,, and those gentlemen who stand in
opposition, Il mean Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Webster, or
Gen. Harrison,) shall certainly sustain the first
named-nor do | now anticipate any possible con-
tingency which could drive me to sustain either Of
the latter.
have thus, in hurried manner, and amidst the
pressure of business given you freely my opinions.
They not extended as would have prefer
red, had leisure to go at large into the subjects
touched. They are sufficient, however, to satisfy
you, and any others who may feel interest," pre-
cisely where stand,
Very respectfully,
Your friend and servant,