The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-16
tFoR THE REPUBLIc.1
Mr. Websfer
RoxBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, April Is, 1850.
b the Editors of the Republic:

RoxBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, April Is, 1850.
To the Editors of the Republic:
have Just been reading Mr.. WEBsTKR's reply
TO the letter Of the Boston gentlemen who had ex-
pressed to him their approval of his late course in
the Senate, touching the subject of slavery II is
marked with the dignity, sense, and taste. which
characterize all Mr.. WEBsTER's public actions.
The letter Of Mr.. SMITH, which accompanies it,
showing that the climate. soil, physical strength,
social condition, laws, and popular sentiment of
New Mexico, all opposed to the introduction Of
slavery there, is exceedingly satisfactory.
This congressional district which is that of the
late j. @. ADAMS and Of the Hon. HORACE MANN,
now in Congress, is largely tinged with Abolition
ism. The Wings, too, entertain Free-Sol opin-
ions. Mr.. WEBsTER's great speech was, therefore,
received at first with very general suspicion and
regret. The feeling is, however, changed and
changing We all recollect how loudly he was de-
nounced for continuing in Mr.. TYLER's cabinet af
ter the resignation Of his associates And also
recollect that time proved him, in this matter, to
have been eminenty wise and patriotic. The very
act, for which he was bitterly and cruelty assailed
even by the Wing press, ia now admitted TO have
resulted in benefits TO the country which millions
of money could not begin to measure, We reason
from these recoections to the present CASE and feel
assured that, when the whole business is finished
and understood, Mr.. WEBsTER's wisdom and pa
triotism will stand conspicuous before the country
1t is easy to see great incidental benefits certain
to accrue from his mastery speech II seems hun
dreds of thousands Of these have been circulated in
the South, and consequently many valuable and
important truths will be conveyed to our southern
brethren. II will be new to them, perhaps that
slavery was condemned by the founders of the Con-
stitution, South as well North; that they re-
rde N vii x.,hic
exist, and that the modern notions of extension and
perpetuation are begotten by the proftableness of
the cotton culture, and violation of the spirit
in which the compromise of the Constitution was
founded. More light will be shed on this and other
kindred topics through the whole South by Mr..
WEBsTER's speech than has been done by all the
Abolition productions for the last ten years. for the
simple reason that his speech is read, and, being
uttered in kindly temper, it will have the weight
due to its merit and importance.
Mr.. WEBsTER's speech is having an excellent
effect also by its calm, kind, and persuasive man
ner. 1t serves to allay that irritation which the
irebrand spirit Of Abolitonism has created between
the North and South. 1t is difficult to say why it
is, but the fact is certain that the Abotionsts of
the North, who profess higher grade of piety than
other men, are signalized by bitterness of style
and spirit which should have been confined to the
quenchless pit of fire and birthstone. Mr.. WEE
sTER's speech will serve as keen rebuke to those
fanatics, and be the example, trust, to thousands
in future discussions of the subject to which it
relates.
There is another point Of importance. By his
late course Mr. WEBSTER has secured national rep
utation and influence quite beyond what he has ever
before enjoyed. How useful may this be in the dis
cussion of the tariff and other important measures
which will soon come before Congress.
Yours, L. G.. L.