The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-11
THEODORE PARKER TO SENA.
TOR WILSON,
n Characteristic Letter--- Advice 20
Rising Politicians.

Rising Politicians.
The political correspondence of THEo-
DoRE PARKER, brought to light in the new
volumes of his life, is among their very
interesting features. He wrote freely to
Senators SUMNER and HALE, often to Mr..
CHASE, occasionally to Senator Wilson
and Governor BANKS, and more frequently
to DR.. HOWE, and to other less public
| gentlemen, on the current ard probable
events in political circles. Like Governor
BANKS he believed in and predicted war
between the North and South growing out
OF slavery, and often urged bis friends to
prepare for it. Once or twice he writes
he Is buying no more books, but saving
his money for bullets. One of the most
interesting and personal of the political
letters was that to HENRY WILSON upon
his first election as United States Senator.
which, though very free in criticism as
well as warm in praise, was received most
kindly by the shoemaker Senator, and ac-
knowledged with tha-ks and appreciation.
We produce it in full:
| BosTON, Feb. ID, 1855.
| DEAR Mr.. WILSON Ever since vOur cleo
uon have been trying to write you a long let
ter, but found no minute till now Let me tell
you frankly just how feel about your election
ana your nut re prospects. If had the power
TO put whom would in the Senate. NV first
choice would be c. F. Adams or 8. C. Phillips
though for either l have not half the per
sona friendship 1 feel for you. After them
you would have been my man before all Others
in the State. Besides, there is one reason why
l wanted you before even either of them. viz:
wanted TO see q shoemaker get right up off
his bench and go to the Senate, and that from
Massachusetts. Iwish you had never been to
| any but common school for want the nation
see what men we can train up in the public in
situations OF education which stand open for all.
| You have done more than any political man
in Massachusetts or New England-in the last
ten years perhaps, certainly in the last SEVEN
| to llberaslze and harmOnize the actions of the
| political parties. We must thank Won for
much of the organization of the free soil party.
for the revolution of the fogysm of Harvard
college; for the election of Charles Sumner.
and for the constitutional convention. which
was worth all the time, and toll, and money
which it cost. There is only one thing which
made me prefer c. f. A. or s. c.. P. to Won
here it is. You have been seeking for office
with all your might. What makes it appear
worse is, you have no mean thing or secretive-
ness and so your efforts for office are obvious
| to all men. Now don't like this hunting for
office in foes; and yet less i'm my friends. But
1or thls you would always have been my first
choice for the senatorship. AS it isl have
seen many men friendly and hostile in all parts
OF the State, and done what could to promote
your election-for know the others are out OF
the question. No man rejoces more in your
success. Now let me tell You what l think arc
the dangers OF your position, and also what
noble things | expect of you.
/. Your success has been rapid and brilliant.
1t you DO not become little giddy and con-
celted, little Overbearing and disposed to
sWagger, then you resist the temptation which
SO mars almost all men who have a similar
history. Look at almost all the rich men in
IN Boston VINO started poor or obscure and
became famOus
= You are to live by politics. costly life
with little direct or honest pay. but with mani
fold opportunities to gain by fraud-priyate
gifts, &c, &c. think the peril OF such DO
sition is very great. See how Webster went to
the ground in that way "A gift perverteth
judgment" constructive mileage y and such
things. are tempting ard ruinous.
.; You are popular and successful You
VIII perhaps look for office above Ofiice-for
the highest; for nothing American is beyond
American hope. Then come the dangers of
cup OiHIoo Will your own sense or right. and |
OF all the evils which follow from that, crouch |
ing TO the meanness OF party, or the within |
of the moment. |
1t seems to me these are real dangers-and |
as real friend wish to point them out to you |
at the RS even of hurting your fes lings. But |
it is better that l should tell you than That you |
should not heed the peril till too late. Remelu-
Der, besides that l am minister and must be
allowed to preach.
Now for the noble things which expect of |
you. BY nature you are q very generous man.
sympathiZing with mankind in all lofty aspi-
rations-a man of the peOple-with the popu-
lar instincts warm and powerful in YOU /
look to you rs g champion of Justice to all
men; especially to the feeblest and most op-
pressed. l know you cannot fail to be faith
ful to this great question of slavery. But your
connection with the know nothings" makes
me fear for other forms of Justice The Cath
olics are also men, the foreigners are men, and
the world OF America is wide and waste
enough for them all. l hope You will never
for mankind" What noble stand Sumner has
taken and kept in the Senate! He is one of
the few who have grown morally as we'll as in
tellectualy by his position in Congress. But
his example shows that politics do not nccessa-
rily debase a man in two years. hope the Of
flee may do rs much for you as for your noble
and generous colleague.
hope my dear Mr.. Wilson, you will take
this long sermon in the same friendly spirit il
has been written ill., and believe ME now and
ever,
Respectfully and truly yours,
THEODORE PARKER.
A Hint TO Farmers.