The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-07

ASsS~A SAVAA NAAs GAvSA~sr
The Hon. EDWARD EVERETT having beer
chosen, by the Wings of Cambridge, one Of the
delegates from that city, addressed the follow
ing letter TO the chairman of the committee in
explanation Of the cause Of his non-attendance:
CAMBRIDGE, Sept. 80. 1850.
dean SIN: have just received your favor inform
ing me that was chosen at meeting of the Wings
of Cambridge last Friday evening one Of their del
egates TO the Worcester convention. i am much
obliged to my neighbors and fellow citizens for
this mark Of their confidence; and ! regret that
am prevented, by an imperative reason connected
with the state OF my health, from leaving home
tomorrow But for this circumstance ] should
have felt it my duty, in the present condition Of
public affairs, by giving. my attendance at Wor-
cester, to do whatever might be in my power to
promote the success of the Wing cause at the APP
preaching election.
The Wing party has for twenty. five years, with
brief intervals, predominated in Massachusetts,
though sometimes slender majority. 1t is justly
responsible for The general character of the le-
gislation of the State. If this, upon the whole,
has been conducive to the prosperity and credita-
BILE to the character Of the people; if for her sys-
tenn of public works, her educational establish
ments, her charitable endowments, and her gene
raj course OF policy, Massachusetts stands well in
the eyes of her sister States and of the world the
praise il mainly due to the Wing party, which has
steadily sustained these great interests and often
in the face of formidable and harassing opposi-
ton.
In like manner in reference to national affairs. a
certain line of policy has in the main been pursued
by the Wings The leading features of this policy
have been peace abroad, on honorable terms; at
home the vindication Of the constitutional powers
of the General Government, sound currency, the
development of the natural resources OF the coun-
try, by a judicious system of internal improve
ments, efficient navy for the protection of our
commerce, and moderate protection of American
labor.
Although the Wing party has but for brief pc
RODS, and after long intervals, held the reins Of
been sustained, it has been through Wing influence
and by Wing votes. To refer only TO our foreign
affairs. no one doubt that peace was preserved
with England upon honorable terms by the mas
terly ssslesmanship of Mr.. Webster in 1912. 1t is
little doubtful that the Mexican war was the
consequences Of the subsequent change in the coun-
cils of the Government
Within the last two or three years the efficiency
Of the Wing party especially in Massachusetts,
has been impaired and the stability of its measures
threatened by the agitation Of the subject of slave
~, forced upon the community By the conquest Of
considerable part Of Mexico. The Mexican war
as just intimated and the measure which led to it.
1.-THE annexation Of Texas, were decidedly opposed
by the great body of Wings in the northern and
middle States, and by some OF them even In the
With this acquisition came the question of an in
definite extension of slavery throughout the vas
region thus added to the United States. The dam
ger Of such an extension was deemed 30 Imminent
BY a considerable number Of our fellow citizens in
several of the States at the last presidential cleo
tion as to lead them to attempt the formation of a
third party, having forts main object to prevent
the extension Of slavery INTO the new territories
How far such step well calculated to pro-
mote the desired end ,s question on which opinions
may honestly differ. 1t would be easy to point Out
the evils generally resulting from such course.
The almost certain effect of organizing THIRD
party-mainly resting on one Ideals to endangeI
many great interests for the doubtful prospect o
promoting 1t is nearly certain to lead to ar
engagements, which, whatever their momentary ad
vantage, can scarcely be justified on general prin-
ciples. What conscientious member OF the Free
soil party, looking at the votes on all the recon
measures of Congress, can feeli right for purely
local object, to pursue a course tending to break
down the Wing party, and raise the Democratic
party its ruins? Where the third party Is In III
nature geographical and sectional, it strikes, o
course, at the principle of the Union.
Whatever reason may have seemed to exist two
years ago for a separate organization, must be adj
United at the present time to have lost much of 1T
force. or the territory supposed to be in danger
California, by far the largest and most important
part, is already brought into the family OF States
under a constitution framed by herself and exclud
ing slavery. New Mexico has framed a similar
constitution. She has not yet been admitted, bu
she is sure to come in, when she ia found TO have
the requisite population. The fact just mentioned
with others bearing on the point, make IT ms Ger
tain any future event can be, that she will come
in a free State. The same remark may be mad
Vi the intervening feEiou pet"Sth 4Nt" 'AeAit'
and California. 1t is principally settled from thu
New England and middle States and from Grca
Britain, and practical question, no one will,
think suppose that there is the slightest dange
that the Inhabitants Of Utah will be slaveholdine
population
For these reasons, ] cannot but hope tina
such Of our old Wing friends have united
in the formation of the third party, will fec
that there is no necessity for keeping IL up
and that they will follow the example OF
portion of their late associates In New York, VIII
openly pronounce its dissolution. It's continued
existence in this State lie sure in my judgment, a
fnr ne it produces any effect, to benefit the Demo
cratic party, with which majority Of the Free
soiers have, suppose, no political sympathy; anC
this at the expense of the Wing party, to which
most of them originally belonged, and whose grea
measures Of public policy are brought into DANCE
by their secession.
Having spent the whole Of my public life in tn
humble attempts TO promote that policy, and be
lieving that its abandonment would be seriously
detrimental 10 the best interests Of the State and
the country at large, cannot but entertain an
dent hope that those Of our Wing brethren VIII
have left us for a season will now return, and tha
we shall again be united in one great, harmonious
national party.
Iremain, dear sir, very respectfully yours.
EDWARD EVERETT.