Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-07-21
A PATRIOTIC LETTER.
Robert C. Winthrop to the Kew York
Wings. ..
BosToN. 2O,h May, l9s

| wings. r.r
Bosros. 2o,h May, 1859.
| Hon. HIRAM KErCHrM, Chairman, sc.
My Dear Sir: Your communication OF
the 23d ut., reached Boston just as was
leaving home on journey from which l
have but recently returned. As am now
making preparations for still longer ab-
sence from home and country at IN early
day, am constrained to reply 10 your in
quiries less formally and less fully than /
might otherwise have been disposed 10 do.
Indeed, l would willingly have excused
myself from answering them at all, if nv
silence were not liable 10 be misconstrned,
either into want Of respect for the Com
mittee OF which you are the organ, or into
q want of sympathy with their general
views. Retired, as have been Tor some
years past. from all political connection, and
without an aspiration for spy'hing which
party can besiow, am sensible how little
Importance can be attached to what may
say or leave unsaid. And though l have
no cause Tor conceaing any views which l
entertain, shall not be sorry if this c"m-
municaiion should remain among the unp,tb-
li.hed correspondence OF your Committee.
You submit to my consideration resolu-
tion in the following words:
"Resolvsd. That, IN the judgement Of the
Committee il is not exprdent at this time
further TO discuss or ngta'e the question Of
the slavery OF the African race in this COIN
/ try. That it be respectfully recommended
10 every citizen 10 vote and act according TO
his convictions Of right and duty; bu, those
who, with US, believe that sufficient has
been said and written Tor The purpose Of ex-
! planation and elucidalion, will forbear fur
ther discussion OF the subject Of slavery,
and turn their attention to other topics Of
general Importance, such as our foreign re-
latons, including the question Of the exten-
sion of,erritory, the building of railroads
for national purposes, the improvement o!
our harbors, and the navigation of our riv-
ers, to facilitate internal commerce; the sub
jects OF currency and tariff Of duties and
other means for developing our own inter.
nal resources and home wealth, and binding
together by the ties o. interest and fraternal
feelings ths various parts and sections Of
our widely extended republic"
The sum and substance Of this resolution
as understand it, is the expression Of an
earnest opinion that local and sectional ques.
tions should no longer be suffered 10 absorb
the whole time and thoughts Of our repre-
sentatives and rulers, but that the attention
Of Congress and the Executive Of the coun.
try, should once more be seriously turned
to those great national interests, which the
Constitution Of the United States was es.
tablished TO promote.
To such resolution I give my cordial
assent and appreciation. I believe it to be
one which ought to command, and will com
mand the concurrence Of all true patriots
There may be room, indeed, for difference.
Of opinion, in different parts of the country
as 10 the precise extent to which this oil
that policy of national improvement. sugges
ted in the resolution, should be carried
At moment when there is so: much we'll
grounded apprehension that the old purity
Of administration and Legislation, which char
acterizei the earlier periods Of our Repub
lie. is becoming obsolete, there may well b
some caution in instituiing general sys
TEN Of internal improvements which could
open still wider opportunities for corruption
But with this obvious qualification, l can
not doubt that vast majority of the peopi'
of the Union could they be free 10 express
their opinions uniAAuenced by party ant
unnwed by patronage and power-wOul'
give their hearty support. 10 the view
which this resolution embodies.
Il We have a goodly heritage 10 manage 70
ourselves and 10 transmit to our children
Greatly as any Of US may regret that it di'
|. not come down to us from our fathers with
out incumhrances oil draw backs OF any sort
we have yet enough 10 be thankful for, 9
uoueh to be proud Of. enough 10 occupy ou
most dillisent and devoted attention, with
;, ou, "begging trouble" from subjects eve
which we have no control as . nation.
! Nobody pretsnds shat there is any cor