Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-09-22
no my ola constituents.

L matter which nearly concerns me, and,
in some of its aspects, you also.
have just returned, after an absence
of four weeks, three ofwhich were passed
in the Northern and Eastern States, TO
find myselfthe object of assault by most
of the Wing Press of the State--unpre-
cedented, under all the circumstances, for
its coaIseness and yirulence, for its viola
ition of all the decencies of social life, all
the refinement whichshould characterize
gentlemen, and, in some instances, its
reckless disregard Of truth.
The pretext for this warfare upon me,
is statement made by me, in a note to
the Boston Post, written in Boston, that
the Democra party of New England is
as sound upon the Compromise question,
and the Constitutional Rights of tho
South as the South itself. This opinion
shall proceed hereafter to vindicate by a
statement ofthe facts upon which tits foun-
ded. AT present, my principal purpose is
to call your attention TO 1t, as the pre-
text, hollow and hypocritical, for the
warfare upon me, and TO the disgusting
confession ON the part of my assailants,
which that warfare involves. as-sesaa sal
The country has been agitated to its
centre, aud our institutions brought 10 the
South, the reckless anti-slayery agitators
of the North. The struggle resulted in
the adoption of the compromise and the
preservation of the Republic. But the
fiendish spirit of the agitators was not aF-
peased. Disappointment made 1t more
black, and the repose of the country was
torture to it. The work of agitation was
renewed, and here it was charged that
the political parties of the North were
all and equally unsound. This was, If
true, fearful state of things for tho
South. Under these circumstances, ha-
wing been confined to the city for several
years, without ever leaving it for the pur-
pose of recreation or pleasure, l made a
short trip to the North, and whilst there
had the opportunity of seeing the Dem.
ocratic party assembled from all parts Of
New England, in ~ meeting of $4,000
persons at Hillsborough, in New Hamp-
Shire, aud afterwards the Democratic
party of Boston, assembled in very lgrge
numbers in Faneuil Hall. Out of sheer
courtesy to mo as a stranger, and not as
political companion, but with tho
knowledge that l was not one, was IN.
vited to seat where could see and
hear we'll without the fatigue of standing.
Avowedly for those reasons, and after
some hesitation accepted it, When tho
account of The last meeting was published,
l was enumerated among those present,
and dignifed with title that did not be-
long to me; and, l was thore upon tho
spot where it was done, and l deemed IL
my duty TO correct it, not only because l
did not choose, by my silence to display
a contemplate appetite for empty. title,
and make what Was otherwise an inno-
cent mistake, n falsehood by my CONN.,
vance but, because knew the moan
and low malignty of some of my enemies
here, and knew, rs told a friend whilo
wrote the note in the parlor of tho Re.
we're House, that If failed TO make tho
correction, they would after their fashion
for years past, ascribe 10 me false mo-
tive for it-cnemics, l take leave to say,
not because l ever did them wrong. or
ever sought to do them wrong for there
does not breathe the man who can say
that truthfully of me but because
would not abasc myself as they required
in party politics. ilai
In making this correction 10 the Post,
| expressed the opinion before mentioned,
and hence this terrible warfare upon me.
The candid and discerning have been
much at loss, am sure, to trace tho
connection between the cause and the eff
feet, and must have recoiIed with loath-
ing from the assailants, when, through
their timsy disguise, the motives which
have made the cause so potent have been
discovered, 1t will be remarked that 1
said nothing of party politics--nothing
against any party or politician. sim
ply said that one party was sound, which
1t was fair to presume every patriot in
the land would be glad TO hear-and il
the Wing party of the North is sound,
and my assailants had either wit or pa.
triotism, they would not have assaiIed,
but thanked me and said, ''thcn both
parties are sound, and the South and tho
Union are safe" They would have re-
jolced to find that the South had many
friends, where before it was believed she
had only enemies. And why should any
man wish this truth suppressed, unless Il
be because its development depriycs
him Of the chance of trading upon the
falsehood ? If there be such a one, /
have nothing to say to him ! pity his
weakness and dctest his vice.
But my assailants seem 10 suppose
that am their slave, or the slave of their
party, and not as am, a free.born Vifoi,
MAN; and they make much uproar about
my party obligations. have not the
time now to go fully into that view, az
imPerious professional engagements com.
pei me to go, without delay, 70 the town
of Hampton. Upon my return, / will do
SO, however, and at the same time pre.
sent all the grounds Of my opinion, That
the success Of Gen. Scott's party at the
next election, will be a most disastrous