The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-03
Mr.. Webster and srr. Winthrop.


the State Department What may be thought else
where, I do not know; but here, Mr.. Winthrop'a
chances Of being called to the vacant place are
thought to be good He came near being promoted
to it at the very time it was given to Mr.. Webster.
He had reason to believe that he to be Mr. Clay
tons successor and it is understood that he never
forgave Mr. Webster for stepping between him and
the place Each gentleman was said, at the time, to
have the same object in view, each wishing to enter
the State Department to prevent his being mixedup
with, or affected by the then impending defeat of the
wings in Massachusetts. Mr. Webster had the most to
feafom such defeat, his term of service was about
to expire, and he was by no means certain of re-
election to the Senate, even if the wings should carry
the Legislature. There is now another opportunity
afforded tor the promotion of Mr.. Winthrop. Mr..
Fillmore is said to be partial to him, and would by
preference, have taken him in 1850, but was over
borne. He has qualifications for the place, and
certainly is conservative enough to pursue that hu-
initiating foreign policy which appears to constitute
Mr. Fillmere's idea OF Amercanism. IL is true that
Mr. Winthrop had become Mr.. Webster's personal
and political enemy, and, therefore, 1t would seem
like an insult to the great mans memory to appoint
him as his successor /; but then the President has
come out for Scott, and doubtless wishes to conci
late that portion of the wings who killed Mr..
Webster. What lucky thing it would be for Mr..
Winthrop, if General Scott should come into the
Presidency, and fipd him there in March"
Mr.. Winthrop has not been in the habit Of nosi-
cling anonymous communications in the New YORK
HERALD or elsewhere But the peculiar circumstances
Of the moment, which give something of historical
Importance to everything connected with Mr.. Web
sters name render it fit that the foregoing extract
from letter IN the HERALD Of Saturday last dated
Boston, Oct. 10Th 1852, and signed Alg0ma, should
not pass without remark.
It is true that, on the death Of General Taylor
and the dissolution of his cabinet, Mr. Winthrop's
name was mentioned for the State Department, in
connection with that of Mr.. Webster. As soon as
this fact was made known to Mr.. Winthrop, In such
. manner that he could act upon it without ap-
parent presumption, Mr.. Winthrop waited on Pree-
n nYn nj 10 hat ho
must decline being considered candidate for the
State Department under any circumstances; but
even if he desired 1t ever 30 much, nothing would
tempt him to stand in the way, if the services of
Mr. Webster could be secured for that Office, or for
any other Office in the government and that,
though he had not been able to agree with Mr.
Webster of late upon every point of public policy,
he was decidedly and earnestly in favor of Mr..
Websters appointment Secretary Of State and
that he should regard the holm of government as
safer in Mr.. Webster's hards at that moment, or
at any moment, than in those of any other man
living.
Mr. Winthrop's course on this subject, without
any Intervention Of his own, became known TO Mr.
Webster, and WAS the occasion of repeated and most
agreeable personal Acknowledgements.
IL is utterly false that Mr. Winthrop ever became
either the personal political enemy of Mr.. Web
ster." It may be that q few Of Mr.. Webster's pro-
fessed friends have chosen to consider him such.
Certain IL is, that they have thought it not
thy Of them to make Mr.. Winthrop the subject Of
peIsevering msrepresenta and have even seemed
to think, during the last week, that the houors to
the dead were incomplete, without some show of in
justice to the living Butifthere be any evidence that
their course originated in any feelings of Mr. Web
ster. il is yet to be produced. Such supposition
would be entirely inconsistent with the repeated
assurances which Mr.. Winthrop has received from
Mr., Webster himself, wi hin no long period past.
At any rate, it is enough to say, that Mr. VIM
thIop is conscious, this day, of no act thought
towards the late ilustrious states man. from The hour
at which he entered HE Office as law stu don't in
1925 TO the hour at which he attended the f1ueral
obsequies at Marshfeld, in any degree inconsistent
with just respect and true friendship.
Mr. Winthrop hiss no disposition TO make parade
Of his personal relations 20 Mr. Webster, but he
docs not intend that the record either of his public
or Of bis private life, on subject Of so much in
terest shall be fslsiied without exposure.
BosToN, November l. 1852. Y &C. W.