The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-14


rIcs.-The following letter written by j. G..
Whittier, Of Anesbury Mass, in reply to On
invitation to be present at Republican de-
monstration meeting, in honor of the success
of that party, was read and will DO pcrused
with interest by our readers
DEAR FRIEND: regret that ] am not
able to join you in the celebration OF the Re.
publican triumph to which thy letter in
vites me. ltwould DO on especial satisfac-
ton to meet my old neighbours and fellow
townsmen on an occasion Of 30 much inter
est. When dwelt among mine own
people," many years ago, | stood, at first,
almost alone on the slavery question, and ]
remember with gratitude the tolerance with
which what was regarded as the fanaticism
of young man, was treated and the per-
sonal kindness Of those who differed from me,
have never. forgotten. Time and the cur.
rent oil events have brought us nearer togeth.
er for the first time in my life have voted
for successful candidate, and find myself
in strange companionship with the rejoicing
majority. Avoiding all unmanly exnltation
over those of our iellow.citizens who have
honestly striyen against us-and who have
the same stake in the welfare of the country
that we haye-we have certainly good cause
fur rejoicing. 1t is the Inauguration of a
new and better eIa or rather 1t is the re-
affirming Of the national faith in the doc
trines oil the Declaration of Independence
the return Of our government after lons and
dark years of apostasy, TO the path marked
out by the fathers and founders Of the re-
public.
A great responsibility is laid upon US. We
must prove that we deserve our succcss by
asking nothing of any class of our fellow
conntrymen, North or South, but what is
morally aud legally right, and yielding to
nothing which is morally and legally wrong.
We must be firm, but not defiant ; We are
too strong in the right and in majorities to
answer railing with railins. We can afford
to moderate and generous. With slavery in
the states we have no right to interfere, and
no desire to do so beyond the mild pursua-
sion of the successful example Of freedom |;
but outside Of state sovereignty, slavery has
no more legal right or constitutional guar
anty than polygamy out of Utah. Its home
is only in the states everywhere else it is
an outlaw.
cannot but regard the menace Of disnnion
from the south Us more likely to prove mis-
chicvious than'really dangerous. II may do
injury to the industrial and financial interest
of the country, but the evil will work il
own cure. Business men at the South will
not long indulge in the childish folly Of set
ting fire to the clothes on their backs. in the
expectation that their neighbors' fingers will
be burned in putting 1t out. The clamor
that the Union should be dissolved, because
slave extensionists are out-voted, for the
first time in twenty years, is simply ludicrous,
II is quarrel with the census takers and
Greenlears arithmetic figure Three COM
planning that it is not equal to figure Five.
Never was there so miserable q pretext for
rebellion and treason. The people have
chosen hirly and constitutionally, q chiei
magistrate Of unquestioncd integrity and
patriotism. lie stands pledged to follow the
examples Of Washington and Jefferson IN
preventing the extension OF slavery. Inns u
all. lie will leave the slave states TO the en-
joymeut or endurance OF their peculiar insti-
tuition but Il would be stretch Of charity
70 allow that every South Carolinan carries
with him, In his own proper perron, the
sovereignty Of his states; that he can pull
a slave code ont Of his pocket whenever he
pleases, on the slopes Of the Rocky Mount
AIMS, or on the shores of the Pacific.
Let us hope that wiser councils viii pro-
vail IN the South. And for our part, Let us
eco 70 IL that the present difhcultiss are not