Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-25

many OF the measures which they have been
loudest III denouncing than your regular north
ern agltators, who have at last alarmed the
South into an idea Of the absolute necessity Of
strengthening herself for the protection of her
domestic institutions. Sometimes, we know,
the South has received the most direct and pos
tive aid from this source. Nobody doubts that
Texas was brought into the Union through the
fundamentally of New York Freesoilers, at
least one of whom may be found at this moment
among the leading Republican candidates in
that State
But even the Nebraska bill owed not a little
OF Its success, in my opinion, to the faulty of
some of these ultra men. The violence to
which they resorted, here and elsewhere, but
particularly here, in resisting the fugitive slave
law, produced the impression that the North
intended to keep no faith on any point; and
when at length this Nebraska bill was intro
duced, handful of them precipitated them
selves into the front ranks of the opposition,
IN way to drive off the only persons who
could have prevented its consummation.
Half dozen of them, under the style of indie
pendent democrats, got up flaming manifesto
IN such hot haste that it was said to have been
dated on Sunday, and put it forth, cock-a,hoop,
half signed, to the utter discontinue of all
who hoped to prevent the bill from passing.
They usurped lead which belonged to others,
and gave an odor of abolition to the whole
movement. From the moment / read that i'll
advised paper despaired of seeing that south
ern opposition to the measure which, under
other circumstances, / fully and firmly believe
we should have obtained. My worthy friend,
Mr.. Eliot, of New Bedford, called this protest,
in late speech, @ the first unmasking of the
plot" No; it was the first unmasking of our
haiti LIZ al,
ned or ready for action; and upon those who
adopted this rash policy not a little of the
| responsibility for the result must Justly fall
We read of young Spartan officer who was
punished for rushing prematurely and unarm-
ed upon the enemy, even although he gained
| victory. What shall be said of those who
periled and lost this momentous stake by their
unwise and reckless precipitancy?
II IS not enough considered that the real
retarders OF any movement are often found
among those who are claiming to be its leaders.
Has 1t not been so in the case of temperance?
Have not excessive zeal and blind one-deaism
led at last to the enactment of laws which have
created a general reaction, and put back the
cause Of temperance we know not how far?
just so has it been and will it be again with
| those ultraists in the cause Of freedom. For
| one, never witness one of their violent spas.
modic agitations about slavery at the North
without looking to see it followed forthwith by
some fresh triumph at the South. Our northern
| fusion phalanxes, indeed, in the present
instance, seem to be taking up the line of
| march after the mischief is accomplished, as
once saw some of our militia companies before
the day of such prompt disciplinarians as Gen.
Edmands and Col. Chickering) turning out
after a riot had been successfully carried
through, and paradiIlg near the scene as if in
celebration of the success of the mob We had
grand rising about Texas, remember, after
IL was lrreparably annexed, and now we are to
have grand rally about the repeal of the
missouri restriction after it is hopelessly accom-
pllshed; and, while we are thus engaged the
South will be looking about them for some
fresh chances OF certifying their institutions
Our ultralsts will have succeeded in nothing
but IN alarming them afresh into feeling that
some new defences must be secured. They
will have alienated and disguised all the
moderate and reasonable men among them
and among ourselves, and, with the aid Of the
democracy, some fresh annexation of new ter.
rItory or some other repeal, if anything remains
to be repealed, of the restrictions upon old
territory, will be successfully attempted Geo
graphical parties will have been arrayed
against each other, and thus the action and
reaction OF ultraism at both ends of the Union
will 60 on to the end of the chapter involving
us IN never-ceasing series of mischievous and
| deplorable measures.
And to this end we are called on to forget
the past. to disregard all experience, and to
rush into the formation Of what has been
elegantly denominated grand backbone
party" No, the vertebral column must sup.
port sounder brain before | can desire to see
II assuming anything Of additional strength or
sohdlty. Better let IT remain as fragmentary
and teshless as that Of some fossil reptile of
the coal measures if it is only to be employed
as an instrument for disjointing the carefully
compacted frame work Of our national BODY
polite, or if il is forever to serve as a bone of
contention among those who ought to be able
to live together in unity and concord.
One thing ! have resolved on in my own
political career, and that is, never to give
countenance or support to any policy or any
party which tends, in my contentious convic-
ton, towards disorganzation or disunion.
Three or four years Of retirement from public
othce have served TO wean me from all inordi
nate affection for official station, if ever had
any, and ] bring to the consideration Of the
present state of parties the most absolute
indifference to any mere personal results. But
] am not Indifferent, never can be different,
to the honor and welfare of my native State. or
Of the great and glorious country Of which il
forms part.
| Others may find their paramount issues" in
whatever secondary or subordinate questions
they may see fit to select. ! hold nothing
nothing within the range Of political action
to be paramount to the honor Of Massachusetts
and the integrity Of the American Union, IN.
der the constitutions which severaly secure
liberty for them both.
Let me only, in conclusion, apologize for the
length Of this letter by saying that do not
propose to address my fellow.citizens in any
other form, and that this must serve instead Of
any speech or speeches which ! may have been
expected to make.
am, respectfully and truly, your obedient
servant,
ROBERT c. WINTHROP.
FAENHAM PLUNNER, Esq,
President Of the Wing Executive Committee