Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-07-24
Answer to Letter to Hon. Edward Everett.

answer to Letter to Hon. Edward Everett.
The following letter, in reply to letter adj
dressed BY Joseph W. Taylor, Esq, of Eutaw,
Alabama, to the Hon. Edward Everett, was read
at the Bell and Everett Alabama State Conven-
Ilon, held at Selma, last week, when Bell and
Everett Electoral Ticket was chosen for the
oeate, and their nomination unanimously ratified
amidst great enthusiasm.
BosToN, June Is, 1860. Z
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the II b was re
ceived by Mr.. Everett this day. When he &C
copied the nomination of the Baltimore Union
Convention, it was in the understanding that
the correspondence which might grow out OF il
should devolve CD the Union Committee here
Jour letter of the 18th has accordingly been
placed in my hands, and as you request an an
swer that will reach you by return of mail,
have but few moments to prepare it.
The compromise measures of 1850 were re-
garded, and have been supported by conserva-
i've men at the North, as fair and practicable
basis OF united political action between the two
great sections of the country. To those meas
ures Mr.. Everett gave his full concurrence.
The papers enclosed in your letter, viz: the
resolves OF the Massachusetts Legislature, Mr..
Borden's letter and Mr. Everett's reply, date
from the year 1889. They were brought be
fore the Senate OF the United States in lS41, at
the time of his nomination as Minister to Eng
land, and made the ground Of motion for its
rejection. Henry Clay opposed that motion
with great warmth, and said, ''that if, through
the Influences of the South, the appointment OF
a man OF Mr.. Everett's known conservative 0
pinions was rejected, the Union was already
dissolved" At the close of fervid speech by
Rufus Choate, in support Of Mr.. Everett's ap
pointment, the late Hon. w. @. Preston ex-
nj
to vote against MIN, but by Heaven he shall not
oe rejected" Mr. Preston wasafterwards heard
10 say that ''he regretted that vote more than
ANY ever given by him."
Mr.. Everett's nomination as the first Minister
Ito China two years later, was, believe, unani-
nously confirmed in the same Senate, OF which
Mr.. Vice President King, and Mr.. Calhoun were
members. His nomination as Secretary of State
on the death of Mr.. Webster was unanimously
confirmed 10 1862 In the following year he
was elected, by the conservative memb, rs of the
legislature of Massachusetts,, to the Senate of
the United States.
Mr.. Everett's views with reference to the
sectional agitation now distressing the country,
If left in any doubt by his own course, are suf-
ciently shown by the bitter hostility of the en-
tire antl-slavery press. They were re-affirmed,
to the great acceptance of good patriots through=
Gut the Union, In his speech at Faneull Hail. on
occasion of the attempt at Harper's Ferry; and
they are re-stated in his letter sgnfying his re-
uctant acceptance of the Baltimore nomination.
| will only observe, in conclusion, that it
seems to US here no good can result from re
view of all that has been said or written North
or South, for twenty or thirty years, on the
question which now more than ever distracts
the country. Reasonable men will not, in either
section, expect to find entire concurrence in the
other and if sentiments like those entertained,
aud on all proper occasions avowed, by Mr..
Everett, fail to win the confidence of Union
loving men at the South Mr.. Clay's emphatic
exclamation liz 1S41, may well be repeated.
remain, Dear Sir, in haste, very respectfully
yours, LEvERETT SALTONsTALL,
Pfest. State Central Committee of the Con-
Istitutional Union party.
To Joseph w. Taylor, Esq, Eutaw, Ala.