Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-02-26

AAAAAG ROuGlel8WRs
The political correspondence of Theodore
Parker, brought to light in the new vol
umes of his life, is among their very inter
estlng features. He wrote freely TO seua.
tors Sumuer and Hale, often to Mr.. Chase
occasionally to Senator Wilson aud Gov
Banks, and more frequently to DR.. Howe
and to other less public gentlemen, en- the
current and 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 his friends to prepare for it.
Once or twice he writes be is buvinR no
more books, but saving his money tor bull
lets. One of the most interesting and per.
sonal of the political letters was that to
Henry Wilson upon his FIRST election as O.
s. Senator, which, though very free in
criticism as we'll as warm in praise, WAS
received most kindly by the shoemaker
senator, and acknowledged With thanks
and appreciation. We produce it in full:
BosroS. Feb. Is, 1855.
DRAR Ma WILsOA-EVer since vour
election have been trying to write you a
long letter, but found no minute till now
Let me tell you frankly just how feel
about your election aud your future pros
poets. If had the power to put whom l
would IN the Senate. my first choice would
have been c. F. Adams or 8 c. PhilIips-
though for either have not half the per-
sonal friendship feel for you. After
kRT
all others in the State. Besides, there is
one reason why l wanted you before even
either of them, viz: l wanted to see a shoe
maker get right up of his bench and go to
the Senate. and that from Massachusetts.
wish you had never been to any but a
common school. tOr l want the nation TO
see What men we can traiu up ia the pub.
lie Institutions of education which stand
open for all.
You have done more than any political
man IN Massachusetts or New England-
In the last leo years perhaps, certainly in
the last seven-to liberalize aud harmonize
the actions of the political parties. We
must thank you for much OF the orgauiza-
too OF the free soil party; for the revOlu-
ton OF the tOgyism of Harvard college;
tor the election of Charles Sumner, aud
for the constitutional convention, which
was worth all tue the time, aud toll, and
money which it cost. There is only one
thing which made me prefer G. 2. A. or S.
C. P. 70 you-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 secretiveness, and SO your
efforts for Office are obvious to all men,
Now do not like this hunting for office in
foes; yet less in my friends. But for this.
you would always have been nv 6rst
choice for the senatorship. As it isl
have seen many men friendly aud hostile
in all parts of the state, and done what
could to promote your electiou-for
know the others are out of the question.
No man rejoices more in your success
Now let me tell you what rhiok are the
dangers Of your position, and what noble
things expect of you.
l. Your success has been rapid and
brilliant. If you do not become II little
giddy and coDceited, little Overbearinp
aud disposed to swagger, then you resist
the temptation which go mars almost all
men who have similar history. Look at
almost all the rich men in Boston who
started poor or obscure and become
fsmOusI
2. You are to live by politics. costly
life with little direct or honest pay. but
with manifold opportunities to gain BY
fraud-private gifts, &c, &c. think the
peril of such a position is very great See
how Webster vent TO the ground in that
way "a gift perverteth Judgment
Constructive mileage and such things
are tempting and ruiuous.
, You are popular and successful You
will perhaps look for office above Office
for the highest; for nothing American is
beyond American hope. Then come the
dangers of compromise with yUur own
sense Of right, aud of all the evils
which follow from that crouchiug to the
meAnness of q party, or the whiul OF mo-
ment.
1t seems to me these are real dangers
and as real friend wish TO point them
out TO you at the risk even of hurting your
feelings. But it is better that | should
tell you, than that you should not heed
the peril till too late. Remember, besides
that am minister aud must be allowed
to preach.
Now for the noble things which 1 expect
OF you. By natnre you are very generous
man, syBpathiZing with mankind in all
lofty aspirati0ns-a man of the people
with the popular instincts wErm aud pow
ertul in yoO. look to you as a champion
Of justice to all meni especially to the
feshlest Rnd most oppressed. know you
cannot fail to be faithful to this great ques.
tion of slavery. But your connection With
the knoW-nothiugs makes me fear for other
forms of justice. The Catholics are also
men, the foreigners are men, and the world
of America is wide and waste enough for
them all. hope you will never 'give up
to kDOw-nOLhiugs what was meant for
mankind" What a noble stAnd Sumner
has taken aud kept 10 the Senate! He is
oue of the few who have grown morally as
veil as intellectually by his position iu
Congress. But his example shows that
politics do not necessarily debase a man in
two years. hope the Office may do ~
much for you As for your noble And gener
Gus colleague.
hope, my dear Mr.. Wilson, you viii