The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-26
NEW YORK HERALD WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2s, 1860

honored citizens. Our own Multiplying statute did not
then exist II i had existed, could We have complains
as We justly did, IN indignant tones, OF that outrage
Nay could We, with any show Of sell usthcation hAv
seat Mr.. Hoar 70 South Carolina at all
Nor DO fail TO remember, feel that the blood OF
Massachusetts Senator made to stain the the hoor Of
the senate chamber, on account Of s'words spoken IN
debate" Nor that executive fraud and encouraged
bloodshed were concentrated 10 crush young free
Kansas in her cradleand yet conspirc and contribute
70 despo her OF her rightul place among the states
o. the Union nor the browning outrage, by which
majority OF the Judges OF the supreme Court have
attempted 20 register decree that slavery shall exist
where freedom has had its home before All this
Is too fresh remembrance. These things may have
prompted and probably did much provoke the passage
OF the provisions our own laws and 10
keep them alive 70 the present time All this, however
appeal to public opinion and 10 the ballot box. That such
an appeal Is not to be forever Intellectual the election
through which we have just passed furnishes consolng
and satisfactory proof With tho right of free speech
and free press the judgment Of the civilized world
be safely awaited Realiaory legislation should DO left
wholly 70 those who arc conscious that they wrong
and intend to remain in the wrong.
While IL Is true that these enacments have been
attention has been called them just now for the reason
that some Of the promoters Of dsunion have araded
them as pretext for the treason which they propose to
commit in the South, and undoubtedly they q
stumbling block in the way OF the many trus friends
of the Union whose voice is, for the present, al
conspirators have contrived to raise | would not
counsel their repeal for the purpose Of attempt
ing TO please the plotters Of treason at the SOUTH
equally hostile to the constitution In the North. The for
mer class openly declare that they nothing about
them and that their repeal would change purpose OF
theirs You have the senatorial declarations of
son. Cngman and their compecrs that effect And tho
mischief makers in the North Of whom there are too
many, who desire to keep up infaned condition Of
public sentiment w OF course oppose repeal But they
should be repealed because they wrong: and being
wrong our own good weakened by their contnu
ancs and the sincere friends Of the Union the South are
weakened because there Ia this single and only vunera
BILE point which they cannot defend let our own state
be right and thus be invulnerabe
Lot U.s. IN coming before tue august tribunal of public
opinion and asking for the just Judgment OF thu civilized
world and Of postery strip ourselves of every mpedi
ment which may embaTass in the conflict Let Massa-
chnsetts stand erect only of the righteous
ness Of her cause but of her fitness for its advocacy
Your letter suggests that, for this purpose should
take the lead in signing memorial addressed 10 the
legislature asking for repeal of the Objectionable pro
visions OF laws which have been referred TO. They
ought certainly TO DO repealed and have faith that
they will be repealed at once. But the mode which you
suggest of approaching the Legislature has been much
abused Of late in mischevous attempts TO manufacture
or misrepresent public opinion, that have
II. II my opinions can be Of any value to anybody
towards the accomplishment Of the desired end this
preston Of them may 60 to the press II may stand
there for my testimony. GEO. ASHMUN.
Hon. RoMRT c. WINTHROP.