Litchfield enquirer., 1859-02-24
LETTER FROM TRUMAN SMITH.
From the Norwalk aasette.1

From the Norwalk Gazette1
 MEssRs. EDITORS :--As some use has been made by too partial friends of my name in connection with the representation of this Dis trict in the next Congress, and as the conven- tion recently held at Bridgeport has presented that of another citizen for that responsible place, feel that it is due alike to myself, and to the people of the District, that I should pub. licly express my cordial concurrence in, and ap. proval of the result Having had the honor to represent the former Sixth Congressional Dis. trict (Litchfeld County in the 26th and 27th Congresses, afterwards the present District in the 29th and 30th, and finally the whole State m the 3lst, 32d and part of the 33d Congress es, and having in the spring of 1854 thrown up my seat ill the Senate and retired to private life, have not at any time felt, nor do now feel, the slightest desire to mingle again ill the turbulent scenes of Congressional life. It is true that sundry of my former constituents, lm- pressed with the idea that, possibly, existing difficulties in the District might be slnoothed down by the use of my name, and thinking moreover that by reason of my long experience in Congress and extensive acquaintance ln the country, might be able to contribute some thing to the subversion of the present deplora- ble state of things at Washington and the ii- auguration of new Administration on the ba- sis of liberal, patriotic and truly national Servatism--commenced early in the present winter addressing me on the subject alluded to, but uniformly responded that l would be a party to no scramble, aud that nothing short of substantial unanimity could induce me to lis ten to the suggestion for moment I trust that this statement will relieve me frolu the If bou uin tion and not having lifted finger to obtain any one of the honorable positions which have held by the favor of the good people of this,my should be understood that I am LOO old, and my joints are little too stiff, to change my habits in that particular.
 the case must be permitted to add that in tiou should not only be cordially, but actively and vigorously supported by all those who dep- recate the misrule of the dominant party: and if have any friends in the district who are disposed to accord to my views and wishes any considerable respect, {aud 1 feel we'll assured there are many,) I trust they will note this suggestion, and will govern themselves accord. ingly. not only desire the election of Mr. Ftrry now, but his reelection to many success sive Congresses--indeed that he may be coll- tinued in public life so long as he shall proper ly represent an intelligent, patriotic and high minded constituency
 Nothing can be more mischicvous than the practice so common at the North, of frequently changing our Representatives in Congress. The idea seems to be entertained that by the time a member has acquired the requisite experience to enable him to discharge his duties with abil- ity and success, he should be dismissed to pri- vate life on the ground that he has had his sbase But the policy of selecting our candidates as reward to this man or that, should be secuted: :: tho public good should aloae be the rule. Let any one consider how much Virginia has gained by keeping her Hunter for so many years Ca quarter of century, in Congress Missouri her Phelps, Ca native of Connecticut and Georgia her Stephens, and the benefits and ad- vantages of this policy will appear at glance No one can doubt the importance of returning to and maintaining this the ancient policy of the State, who will consider how rapidly the relative power of good old Connecticut is run nirg down in the House of Representatives, and indeed in the government generally. When the Union was formed our State held posi- ton in the system not whit less significant than that now occupied by Pennsylvania and we know that the strength of that position was greatly augmented by the exalted character of her Johnsons. Ellsworths, Shermans and Gris- Wolds, who spake her sense as the Representa- t'Tes Of the State and of the People. But by reason of the astonishing growth of our cou,l- try-the increase of population and the multi pl'catlon Of States, our strength has been gradually undermined. By the census of lS4O, our Representatives were cut down from six to iour--under the census of '50 we got and still hold our number on fraction, therefore our number is still four, but by the next census, (lS60, we are sure to be cut down to three, and the child is now born who will live to see the day, unless some great disaster shall hap pen to the country, (which God forbid when old Connecticut will have only one member to speak for her in the house of Representatives Hence it is apparent that if we are hereafte, to have any weight in onr system, it must be by the superior qualifications and character o our Representatives and to their former expo rience (and the longer the better.) It is in dispensable we should reject almost with indg nation, the idea that He (the member) has had his share," and recur at once to the noble policy of our fathers, never to repuda ae or a. bandon faithful public servant. FAITHFUL PUBLIC SERVANT 1! i! An, that is the word, Mir William D. Bishop 1.-the very word that rang through the District and sunk deep into every heart when the Hon. o. s. Seymour, contrary to the behests of party, sternly opposed him elf to the policy of repeating the Missour Compromise. fraught, as it was, with infnit, mischief to the country--tAe very aeord fol which was substituted the accents of execra ton when yo~ betrayed alike your constituents and the cause of free institutions by going ovel 70 the wretched Lecompton policy of this Ad mlnistration, and by assuming at the beck 0 .es ntro pro-slacery famatics of the South, i, position which would be as una eoumtable as |