Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-02-10
From Tie Chare8ton o @ Mercury.
Letter from Mr.. Holmes.


To tile Ed'tor Of the Charleston Morcurv:
Sm;-In an editorial article you have thought
proper to condemn my refusal to vote on the third
ballot against Mr.. Winthrop; and you commence
your essay by remark "'Hhat you had hoped
that MIR. Holmes would have explained his course
to his constituents"
AS you have called upon nc thus publicly for
an explanation, | shall give it,
The southern Wings, opposed to the Wilmot
Proviso, nominated Mr.. Winthrop in caucus in
opposition to majority of the northern Whgs.
who were in favor of the Wdmot Provso, and
who opposed The nomination of Mr. Winthrop.
Why this Because Mr. Winthrop had been
successful in defeating the Wilmot Proviso in
the Massachusetts Wing Convention. The cir
cumstance | thought was we'll calculated to at
tract the attention Of southern men. In addi-
ton to this, when the voting commenced in the
House. the Abotlonsts were found voting
against Mr. Winthrop. My attention was arrest
ed by the fact. | saw at once that the Adolf
tonlSts were playing in Congress the same pre-
else game so skiIIully played in the States Of New
Hampshire and New York. viz: acting as bal
ance party, and though small in numbers, contri-
wing to control aiflrs My attention being thus
action by which the Abotioniss proposed to eff
feet their object, and | did learn that they had
proposed to Mr., Winthrop to vote for HIM as
Speaker, provided he would give them the organ
ization Of the important Committees, the Judici-
airy, Tcrrit lrles, and District Of Columbia, upon
Abolition principles with view to abolish
slavery in this District prevent introduction into
any new Territory, repeal the act which compeIs
the return OF fugitive slaves and defeat the law
Of my own State in relation to the entrance oil
colored persons within our limits That Mr.
Winthrop preferred to lose the Speakership ra
Their than comply with these stringent demands
this fact was learnt during the progress of the
third ballot
The danger to me was manifest. The Demo
Gratis wonId not vote for Wing, and therefore
southern Wing could not be elected. The nor
thorn Wings would not vote for Democrat from
the SOUTH because, with few exceptions, the
northern Wings are opposed to slavery.
The Abotionists would not vote for any south
ern man-be he Wing or Democrat How ther
could the House be organized!
In one mode only by the northern and Will
mot Proyiso men merging every consideration
into Abolition, and electlng an Abolitonst oi
W lllllpl EGOVlSD man upon the conditions pro
posed to and rejected by Mr. Winthrop
send You the correspondence between Mr.
Palirey and Mr. Winthrop This correspon
dence will snbstantiate these facts; and now
ask, ought !, with this knowledge to have placed
the organization Of the House in the hands o.
the Abolitonsts Ought l. sentinel on an
outpost, to have hesitlted in an expected ap
proach of danger, to defend the great, the by
tar greatest of all interests, committed to me by
a generous constituency! did not hesitate
All party considerations faded before the deep
intense, burning necessity. | at once acted
promptly, and | grant declsiveIy. Mr.. Winthrop
was elected, and the AboIitionsts defeated.
The Commuters haze been property organized
and Mr.. PoJrfy, Mr.. Gidlings and JLr. I"ch
c1cl"ded from the important committees they ~er'
so anxious to CONTROL
have thus acted and have the satisfaction
to know that when explained the grounds Oh
which | acted | have the approval of those
whose judgments deem eminent upon sucl
subjects. The times are full of perIs-pers tt
the country generally-perlls to the south EN-
phatically. | act under fearful responsibility
If in the exercise of that responsibility | hav
incurred the disapprobation of the editor of thu
Mercury, | regret it. 1t will certainly be plea
sing if my explanation shall satisfy him. If not
must submit with that meekness which ough
always to characterize a Representative.
Your obedent servant,
/. E. HOLMES,