Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-05-05
ANOTHER LETTER FROM SENATOR WILSON


er, has written one of his most admirable let
ters Ii is published III the Bee. We can, at
present, show our readers only some of its
principal points. His answer to the charge of
Inconsistency is, that he has never at any
time advocated such measures as this Two
Years Amendment and he quotes from his
speeches, delivered when Know Nothingism
was at its height. to prove this. For instance,
in a speech delivered at marlborough, VT,
May 16 1856, he spoke follows;
"He regretted to say that there were some
members of the American party in favor of
excluding by constitutional amendments, all
adopted citizens from office. He deeply de-
plored the action of the Legislature of M&ssa-
chusetts, in proposing an amendment to the
constitution embodying this doctrine. He
hoped the gentlemen who had given their votes
for this propositions proposition that would
not permit Professor Agassiz, one of the first
living scientific men of the age, to fill, under
State appointment, an Office even of a scientific
character-would see their error and retreat at
once from position which justice, reason, and
religion condemned. What little influence he
possessed, would be given with hearty good
will to defeat that proposition"
He has always been in favor of correcting
abuses in the administration of the naturaliza-
ton laws but never by such methods. He
says in this letter that the amendment pro-
posed in the Senate by Gen. B. +. Butler, re-
quiring naturazed citizens to reside in the
State, before voting, as long as we require of
citizens that come from other States, would suit
his views. Such measure would not estab-
fish inequality among citizens.
Mr.. Walkers scornful reply to our friends at
the West does not seem to General Wilson
worthy of the head or the heart of that gentle
man; and he presents the case thus:
"The Republicans of the West, believing
this proposition to be violation of the declar-
ed principles and plighted faith of the Republic
can party as embodied in the National Repub-
lican platform, which declares that inasmuch
as
The spirit of our institutions as we'll as the
Constitution ofour country, guarantees liberty
of conscience and EQUALITY OF RIGHTS
AMONG CITIZENS, zoe oppose all legislation
impairing their security
And believing, also, that its adoption will
prejudice the Republican cause, which they
love, they have appealed to us, their brethren
OF Massachusetts,, in earnest but respectful Ian
guage, TO reject proposition which, in the
words of the Republican Committee of Iowa
Would be stain upon the fair fame of
State which has heretofore been foremost in
the advocacy of free principles and equal rights
to all men,
These appeals come to us from tried and
trusted statesmen, and the presses of the Re-
publican party, and it seems to me that the
Republicans of Massachusetts should listen to
their appeals with respect, if they will not
heed the earnest tones that are borne to us up
on every Western breeze, from our noble COM
radeS, who are battling for our cause against
powerful political foes"
In regard to the views of Republicans in
other States, he says =
According to all the information l can
gather, after months of inquiry with men
whose opinions are based upon their own prac-
teal knowledge, believe that the opinion of
Republicans outside of Massachusetts upon
this proposition approach unanimity. During
the past five years, have had some opportu-
nifty to become acquainted with the public
men of the Republican party from all sections
OF the country. | have, during those years,
travelled in seventeen States, more than forty
thousand miles; seen and counselled with the
active men of the party, and addressed hum
dreds of the people. Few men have had bet
ter opportunities to become acquainted with
leading men, and to know SO netting of the
L
do not know single Republican statesman or
single Republican paper, or a single man in
the rank and file of the Republican party out
side of Massachusetts, in favor of the adoption
of this amendment"
And five years hence it will be well nigh
impossible here to find Republican willing to
acknowledge in plain terms that he ever was
in favor of the measure. The efferesence that
produces it differs from the vitality of a great
principle, as galvanism differs from life The
whole Know. Nothing movement was destitute
of genuine vitality and therefore it was un-
substantial as a dream and could not last. 1t
will be remembered as political nightmare,
and no one, five years hence, will be proud of
it.
We must give one more extract from Sena-
tor Wilson's letter.
You say the German Republicans of the
West Will not go over to the sham Democrats
for mere revenge" too, trust that the no.
bic men who have stood by the great cause
and borne it up in many stern contests, will
not abandon it even after the Mass. Republi-
cans have spurned their brotherly appeals But
do you not know that there are thousands of
antiLecompton Democrats and thousands of
adopted citizens who voted for Buchanan in
1866, deceived by democratic professions of
regard of popular sovereignty, who are begin
mint TO sympathize with and to act with us
now These men may be won to us or they
may be repealed or driven from us. Oar tried
and trusted leaders-lot you say would be
crafty, timd, compromising politicians as
sure us in tones as earnest as their devotion
70 the Republican cause that the adoption of
this amendment will bea burden upon the cause
IfNrr.. No.. Al IN