The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-17
LETTER OF MR. WENTWORTH. OF ILLINOIS
10 the Editor of the National Era.

LETTER OF MR.. WENTWORTH, OF ILLINOIS.
To the Editor of the National Era:
On the 1st ultimo you copied into your
newspaper an attack made upon me by the
New York Tribune, and say that you did so in
order that might zee it, and furnish my
friends with the necessary explanations Had
| deemed any explain alton necessary, you your
self furnished it in the same paper, when you
said:
at is but Justice to Mr.. Wentworth to say.
that there is nothing in his record, throughout
the struggle en- the Nebraska bill which indi-
Gates disposition to play false to his consatu.
entsn
But did not deem any explanation neces-
sary, for two reasons;
First. The attack originated in paper 20
litically opposed to me, and have made it a
rule never to notice attacks thus originating.
My membranes in politics begin with the
canvass of General Jackson for the Presidency,
when John Quincy Adams was a candidate for
re election. Never was man more violently
abused than Gen. Jackson. There was scarce
ly any crime of which be was not accused vet
he was elected, and re elected, and, now that
he is dead, he stands in the affections of the
American people as second only to the immor-
tai Washington. So, too, might speak of the
abuse Of President Adams, and of his support
ers, Messrs Clay and Webster, with whom
was subsequently associated in Congress) as
proving that the best men Of all parties had
been grossly illuminated, but had suffered
nothing thereby and that all men who ever
sought or obtained public life must expect to
be abused, and that if they did their duty, they
had nothing to fear thercfrom.
Second | can never recognise the right of
or cd
outside of my district, to question my course
upon any matter before Congress. | am sent
here to carry out the wishes and interests of
my constituents, and if they exact anything of
me incompatible with my views of right and
wrong, can easily relieve myself from all DIFF
hculty by resigning my seat. The humblest
man among my constituents has greater claims
u on me than Presidents, or Cabinets, or news
papers. In my opinion a faithful Representa-
tive will never place himself in position of
seeking popularity out of his district, even by
to!erating suspicion Of the slightest indiffar-
ence towards the interests and wishes Of those
who elected him.
But there arc political reasons, concerning
others quite as much az myself which induce
me to notice the attack which you refer to
Whilst the struggle to repeal the Missouri
Compromise was going on in the House, the
North initiate the example of the South, and
stand by those who stood by its principles, and
re elect all, without distinction Of party, who
opposed that repeal AS Col Bisccll was I'M
able to be in the House, from sickness, wac
the only Democrat from Illinois who opposed
that repeal. Thus the proposition Of the New
York Tribune would return four Wings and
one Democrat to Congress from Illinois.
Not having committed myself upon the sub
ject of a denomination, and not being abso-
solutciy sure but, if | were candidate, the
Democrats Of my district would no. prefer to
nominate some gentleman whose views upon
the subject of Slavery Extension Harbor In
provements, &c, were more coincident with
those of our distinguished Senator, as many
of mis- friends here were expressing the opinion
that was disappearing my constituents,
paid but little attention to the recommends.
tion of the Tribune, and especially IS both the
day for nomination and election were quite
distant, and had no particular desire TO re-
main here through another long session.
But whilst was thus Indifferent, it seems
the article created Immediately quito stir
among some of the politicians of my district
And, soon after, received the following post
script to a business letter, from one Of the
most distinguished men Of the Free Soil party
in Illinois
"Greeley's proposition to re-elect all men
opposed to the Nebraska bill Of Douglas, re
ceives moro favor with our folks than with
some of the leading Wings Of Chicago, who
pretend to be very bitter against the Nebraska
bill. 1t has always appeared to ne that the
Wing party thought the Liberty party but
mere machine, to pump Democrats over into
the Wing ranks. They look upon ell COAL
tons as horrible, unless it IS one for their own
immediate good. They swear that we are
their natural allies, but they want to keep us
in the back ground for their especial good,
and they are to ignore and abuse US when they
can get along without US And it is consider
ably so with you Democrats; but believe
you are not qnite go impudent in claiming US
under your especial keeping Tho Wings
think We should cleo. none but Anti Nebraska
men to the next Congress, yet tho Anti-Ne-
brasks men must Arrays be Wigs. We have
but two Free Soil United States Senators, and
yet we arc indebted 70 the Democrats for the
election Of them both-Chase and Sumner
Who does not remember the cry of Corrupt
Coalition!' raised by the Wings at the time
of the election Of both these gentlemen Our
organization is gotten up, not for the spoils of
office, nor the advancement of politicians, but
for the promotion Of Anti-Slavery sentiments ;
and we want TO encourage their growth In
both parties and we can see but this difference
between your course and that of your col
leagues. In opposing Douglas and the Ad-
ministration, they followed their natural incli-
nation, the same as you did, in opposing the
Wing Administration Of Mr.. Fillmore, when
he signed the Fugitive Slave Law. Whereas
have no doubt but you made great personal
sacrifices in opposing Douglas and the Ad-
ministration, and there arc but very few men
M would baua dCpa 90 Won, did ,,ndor ho
same circumstances.
But | am filling up my sheet without telling
you what | designed. At the instigation Of
what few Nebraska men we have here, the
strongest possible efforts will be made TO have
the Tribune take back Its recommendation 20
far as you are concerned, and thus give us per-
mission to vote for the four Wings, and not for
the only Democrat in Illinois who opposed the
repeal / have curiosity to see whether such
a game will succeed. That it will be attempted
| know"
From a large number Of other sources also
learnt that strong efforts were being made to
get the Tribune to come out against me, but
/ was always at loss for any possible pretext
until | saw the following article, which you
copied: - I'LL. ,o...,.. $500.
posed-at all events, never intended-that the
naked fact that a member voted against The
Nebraska Bill on its inal passage, should be ia
ken as conclusive proof of his soundness on
the great question. Ga the contrary, it has,
with entire plainness of speech, exposed and
rebuked the lodges of that slippery Pennsylva-
MIA Trout, and other loose fish, who voted aginst
Douglass bill on it's final passage, but helped it
along when it most needed their help during
the progress of the struggle. Here is another
of the sOrt-Mr. John Wentworth, from Chica-
90, Illinois--a noisy Wilmot PrOvisoist in other
days, who is reported by the Aurora Beacon