The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-16
PoRrLANp, (Me.) oet. 3, Islo;

! PORTLAND, (Me.) Oct 5 1870:
Dear Sir Yours of the 18th September, contain
ing several extracts from the Globe touching inc to
cent election in this Congressional DISTRICT was re-
ceiyed this morning The charge therein made upon
Of being abolitioHsf has before met my eye, W
Administration papers from various quarters OF the
country II originated, | believe, IN the Bay state
Democrat was thence copied into the New Era, and
has since been industrousy circulated, notwthstand-
ING liz immediate contradiction. had resolved not 10
give myself the trouble Of personally denying the
truth of report well known here TO be entirely un
founded believing that 10 me Il was OF no individual
consequence and thinking too highly OF the Southern
market TO admit the idea that such wares could pass
there though manufactured expressly for that region
of country. could not imagine that an artihce SO
stale and shallow would have the least possible enect
when the motives Of those who invented II could not
as thought fail TO be understood and appreciated
Your communication has, however induced me 10
adopt different conclusion and to state the facts
over my own name.
In a few words then, all the extracts communicated
from the Globe of the 25h Goth and 2sth ut are so
far they regard my opinions and position upon the
subject of Abolition, entirely untrue IL may be Wen
however TO say something more.
My father, Mr. SAMUEL tEssENDEN OF TINS cry
has for some years beeh an ayowed abotionist, and
was, am told, the presiding officer at convention
holden in Boston, in May last, which has been some
times called the Ladies Abolition Convention"
from the fact that ladies' permitted to act IN as
delegates ana members. lfnineuihtely uitcf me o.e
ton in this district the Bay State Democrat desig-
mated me as the individual who presided at that con-
yenton. The Boston Courier at once contradicted
this statement and published, in proof the following
extract of letter written by me on a former occa
sion
81 am not, and never have been, member Of any
abolition society, and have made secret of my un-
qualified want of confidence in the expectancy and
beneficial effects OF such associations"
Notwithstanding this, the charge thus made was
reiterated in other Administration prints and, though
again contradicted through personal friend in New
York has been circulated far and wide, in the hope
that some political capital might be made of it, The
Bay State Democrat has since even, gone so far as
to assert that had given pledges to the aboonlsts
that my father worked night and day to procure my
election-and that placard was published here on
the day ofelection containing the words No slarery
in The District All these statements are unmitgaed
falsehooos. No pledge was given or required no
placard issued used-and my father was abb
sent for more than week before and until some
days after the election, and took part in it what
ever
You can readily understand from these facts, the
object and aim Of those who originated and those who
have propagaed the story referred to. II is enough
for to say that my opinions upon the subject of
abolition societies remain unchanged, and that no
man can be more hostile to any interference with the
compromises of the Constitution" than am. Justice
compels me to add that SO far have known them,
the Northern abotonists have always disclamed any
intention desire to interfere with the slave States in
the management oftheir domestic institutions.
You will obige me, sir, by stating, on any occa-
sion that may seem to you proper one not only that
am not, and never was, an abotionist but that my
position and views upon this subject have always been
well understood here from the fact Of my undisguised
difference upon this point with whose opinions on
most matters of importance have always found it
most safe and advantageous to follow, and with
whom any difference of sentiment or feeling has al
ways been to me matter of profound regret
| will only add that you are at liberty 10 make such
use of this communication as may seem expedent to
yourself
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
w. p. FESSENDE.N