Weekly national intelligencer., 1864-03-17
A SENTIMENT FOR THE TIMES.

We find in our Northern contemporaries the fol-
lowing happy letter from the pen Of Attorney
General BATHS, having been written, as appears
on its face, in answer to application for his
tograph, by way of contribution to the avails of
the Brooklyn and Long Island Fair, held in aid Of
the Sanitary Commission. Being requested fur
ther to accompany his aut graph with sentiment
appropriate to the occasion, the distinguished
writer, it will be seen complied also with this re-
QUESTION made his courtesy, and seized the op-
portunity for inculcating, in way as effective
it is pleasant, of the most useful of lessons at
the present time, when spirit of rash and head
long innovation is commended to popular favor as
the only true statesmanship. The Attorney Gene
raj, as at the expounder and the guardian of
the laws of the United States within the sphere of
his department, could not be expected to look with
appreciation on the efforts of those who, if we may
Judge from their words and acts, would seem to
found their only pretensIon to be reputed wise on
the contempt in which they hold the wisdom Of
the men who laid the foundations Of this Republic
Reared in the school of statesmen who took their
Inspirations from rational liberty regulated by
law, the honored Attorney General has not been
able to conquer his prejudces in favor of that
"Constituti nal u oon of the United States" which
some disciples Of the modern "progress profess
to hold in an adherence which rivals that of the
rebels in arms against it. However unpopular it
may be, in spite Of the rushing current of new
opinions" to believe in "good old times, good old
principles, and good old men to profess them and
act them out, and in good Constitution worthy
to be preserved to the latest posterity" Mr. BATES
has the courage to profess respect for them all.
His letter is as follows:
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 2, 1864
MADAM: Being confined to my sick room, have an
opportunity. which neither my public Office the court
room affords, to acknowledge your note OF January 30,
written in behalf Of the Brookyn and Long leland Fair
and in aid of the SANITARY Commission.
You AK for autograph Internationally aud for
tment if aprt cable" Now my dear lady,
m cheap thing, and be easy furnished whether sick
well; but sentiment is quite another affair, and does
not very well with the pbysIc which
required TO take to-day.
Nevertheless, the being good and wthAl its
advocate q lady Ito which high authority habituaIy
bow must strain point and try TO give you something
sentimental, but not OF the sickly kinI.
beginning TO grow old and very old fashioned
for spite Of the rushing current n opinions,
still believe that had good old times good old
principles and good old profess them aud act them
out and good Constitution worthy to be preserved to
the latest posteriiy
better than old fcgy; for cant help believing with
Jackson that the Constitutional Union of the States must
be preserved and still have undoubtng faith in Wash
ington when he that cannot free
institutions without frequent to the first pru
ciples of Government.
That 10 my sentiment, madam. / fear IL is growing
very unpopular but cant help it God knows that
would help II IL could for have little hope for improve
ent from the efforts OF who fancy Themselves 90
much wiser than their fathers were, and much better
than the Laws which they msde for our good.
With love for your cause aud respect for yourself
main your obedent servant, EDw. BATES.