The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-15
From the Boston .Adverti.sr.

Extract from a private letter. dated Washing
ton, April B
"when arrived here, week ago, the general
apprehension undoubtedly was that MIR. Webster
might fail TO be sustained in New England, and
even in Massachusetts, But this opinion 10 entire
ly changed now. So many OF the names TO the
Boston letter were known TO many members
OF Congress, and their weight and signihcance
as the representatives of interests and opinions
that belong to our whole community as much
TO the individuals themselves were 30 readily
understood, that all intelligent men felt at once
that they had before them the deliberate, settled
judgment of New England. Elsewhere, there has
been no doubt, no hesitation, from the first. The
newspapers from the west, the south and the middle
States, have told their story in manner not to be
mistaken. Letters, too, came In from leading
men in all quarters to leading men here; and,
before fortnight was over, from the time when
the speech on slavery had changed the feelings
of the dense mass that listened to il in the SEN
ate chamber, it plain that similar change
had spread through the country, and was as well
marked down the whole course of the Mississippi,
from Iowa to Louisiana, as il was in Washington
But this was not all flood of letters came in
upon Mr. Webster himself from all the corners Of
the land; from old and retired statesmen, as well
from those now in the arena OF politics; from
men active in commerce, from farmers from cler-
gymen, from manufacturers, from scholars, from
lawyers; in short, from all the different divisions
of society not forgetting the great officers Of the
army and navy; all thanking him for that wise and
generous speech, if personal favor had been
conferred on themselves. / have just been looking
over above an hundred of these letters, fraction
only Of the vast heap from which they were taken,
and cannot tell you how strange effect was
produced on me, as my thoughts were carried from
side to the other Of the country, finding still
but one and the same sentiment every where. But
of one result felt sure as read In every quarter
letter as strong as that from Boston might be at
this moment drawn up and signed by true re-
presentation of the intelligence and worth of the
district as that letter was of the intelligence and
worth of Boston and its neighborhood. In many
large cities, and even States. hardly leading name
would be wanting to such letter; in none think,
would the proportion be less striking than in Mas
sachusetts, where, doubt not, there could now be
polled an overwhelming majority, without distinc-
ton Of party to sustain all the great positions and
opinions in Mr. Webster's statesmanlike speech.
The indignation meeting at Faneuil Hall un-
doubleday did good. II was understood here in a
moment The association OF such men as DIR. s. G..
Howe only three years ago candidate for represen-
tative in Congress of the Frce-Soi party, and of
Mr.. Wilson, the present editor of their organ in
Boston, and the present chairman of their State
committee, with such open and turbulent disunion-
lists Wendell Phillips and Garrison, was a cir
cumstance that spoke for itself, especially as the
last known action of the Free. Soil party in Faneul
Hall was to send public letter to the Massachu-
sets Senator'S and Representatives in Congress,
curing them to assure the President that no per-
sons in the country were more devoted than they
of the Free-Soil party were, to the great Of
the union OF the States. Such outrageous inconsst
ency could not be overlooked; and when their reso-
lutions read, and the account of their meeting
received all felt that the running of the Free
Soil party, large portion of it, into the Disunion
party, was an omen of its coming fate. The quiet,
calm assurances of Mr.. Webstcr's support, given by
the Boston letter, and by the leading journals Of
both the Wing and the Democratic party through
out New England-with or two exceptions
only-have since explained the whole matter. We
know now, ,cho are Mr.. Websters opponents, and
why they are such. In consequence, they have
ceased to occupy the thoughts of men in Wash
ington.