The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-01-26
Letter from Hon. f. III. webster.

by request of the gentleman to whom it is
addressed, we publish the following letter
fro'n Hon. E. II Webster, Representative
from this District i'm Congress. 1t is proper
to say that, though published by consent of
the writer, it is private letter. and was not
intended for publication when written
TAsInNGToN Ian. - 1861.
JNo. w. TAYLOR. ESQ - Mn Dtar Sir -
Your kind favor If the Eth inst. conveying
resolutions passed by your Union Melting,
at Elkton, is Just at hand. and hasten to
reply. particularly to thank YOU for the
frank manner in which you inform me, that
some oi nv friends tfisapprove of my vn1es
upon the Morris and Adrain resolutions
. Time Will not now suffice the to esp,iI, all
the circumstances connected with the passage
oi those resolutions, nor my reasons for
! voting against them. Hereafter perhaps. if
/ necessary. I will undertake To viulcate those
votes before your people. will only say
now. that did what believed at the time
was bes, for the country, and what, after
mature reflection. still think was proper
! may have erred. do not pretend to be in
! fallble, but q: one thing am certain need
not assure you that am an earnest and AZ.
anxious friend Of the Union No man in
Cecil county, however much he may disap-
prove OF those votes is more sincerely and UNI
[ cqnivocally attached to the Union. or more
I willing to make personal sacrifices for its
preservation than myself. If no more patri
I otto motive pr"mpe'! me. all my personal
| interests, hopes and affections are wrapt up
IN its existence. The safety Of my horse.
my family my all, depends upon as preser.
Walton. Then, let no man suppose am not
Tor the Union. Why, my dear Friend. the
ono ever present thought with me, controlling
my every official act. and bearing with n
fearful weight upon my heart is what can
40 to preserve the Union what postum
Shall take; what policy shall pursue, so
as most to condncc to settlement Of existing
difficulties These are the troublesome aues-
| lions Tor me to determine.
Can the Union be saved bv Congress pass
ing empty declarations that 1.-The Union
must he preserved, when State after State is
breaking from its embrace Or must not
some practical adjustment be found, some
mutual compromise and concession in
which Northern and Southern men shall both
yield somewhat of their views upon the sub.
Ject of slavery? The perpetuity of the Re-
public is this day. in my opinion particular.
ly IN the hands Of Northern Representatives
Although do not hesitate to condemn the
action of seeding States. and to declare that
they have no sufficient ground for such &C.
ton; yet the practical question for us and
the country now is. not whether these States
are to he justified, but how can the other
slave States central and conservative as they
are-be retained in the Union, with the pro.
liability Of bringing the recusants back
There is no doubt under Heaven that this can
be done. not by force, which unerringly will
lead to civil war, with all its attendant hor
rors and final separation. but by compromise
alone. and compromise 10 be carried through
Congress mainly by Northern men. they now
having control of both Houses. the members
and Senator'S from four Southern States,
having already returned home.
As for me. and think can speak for a
najority of the conservative men of the South
here, | am ready for COMPROMISE and con.
cesSlon any compromise. any concession
that will settle permanently existing differ
,nceS A desire to prevent bloodshcd and
induce compromise has governed and will
govern lmy notion here.
| write in haste and with heart full of
apprehension in view of the great destruction
lmminently threatening our beloved country.
| will not say despair, &" While there is life
there is hope" but surely this is the darkest
hour the republic has ever known. God
grant the sunlight ofhis peace and prosperity
may speedily come again is the prayer OF
your friend, EDWIN ii. WEBSTER.