Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-15
Hon. Robert c. Winthrop's Letter
BROOKLINE, August 9, 1866.
lon Leverett SaltonstaN:

My DEAR SIR am sincerely sensible to
the honor conferred upon me, yesterday, by
the meeting at Faneuil Hall, over which you
presided, in placing my name at the head OF
the Delegation at Large to the National Union
Convention. But as | had previously intima-
ted to more than one of our friends, it will not
be in my power to go to Philadelphia next
week.
T am quite unwilling, however, to Decline
the appointment without distinct expression
of nv hearty concurrence in the general views
of those by whom that Convention has been
called, and Of my earnest hope that Its ueIb
crations may conduce to the earliest practlca-
bic restoration Of all the States OF the Union to
the exercise Of their constitutional powers, ana
to the enjoyment Of their constitutional prIV-
leges, in the National Government.
/ can add nothing, | am aware, TO the argu-
ments which others have already presented en-
this subject, and gladly avail myself OF the
language of Judge Curtis in his late admirable
letter: TO suppose that the Government OF
the United States can, In state OF peace
righifully hold and exercise absolute and un,
limited power over part of its territory and
people just so long as it may choose to do So,
public law, abhorrent to right reason, and
inconsistent with the nature of our Govern
ment." With Judge Curtis, too, [ hold to
the opinion that the Southern States are
now as rightfully, and should be as effectually,
in the Union, as they were before the madness
of their people attempted to carry them out. !"
Most happily, Congress did not adjourn
without admitting to their seats the Senators
and Representatives of Tennessee but that
very act has rendered it all the more difficult
to discover anything OF constitutional principle,
or anything OF true national policy, in its per
sistent denial of all representation to the other
Southern States. Congress has ample means
Of protecting itself and of protecting tie coun-
try from the presence Of disloyal men, in the
halls Of legislation, by the simple exercise of
the power which each branch possesses, of de-
cidirg without appeal on the qualifications OF
its own members Had the case Of each indi-
vidual Senator or Representative elected from
the States lately in rebellion been taken up by
itself, and fairly considered on its own merits,
agreeably to the wise suggestions OF President
johnson, no one could have complained, what
ever might have been the result. But know
not how either branch could have consented,
as it has done, to compromise it's constitution
al independence, by submitting any question
as to its members either to legislative or cXecu-
tive discretion.
This great question Of representation is not
a question which concerns only the Southern
States, who, know, are regarded by not a
few unrelenting men as having forfeited all
rights which the Northern States are bound to
respect. 1t is question which concerns the
Constitution and the whole country. The peo-
pie Of the whole Union have right to demand
of their public servants an exact and faithful
observance of the Constitution and Of all its
provisions. 1t was to enforce and vindicate
that Constitution that their blood and treasure
have been poured out SO lavishly during the
late four years of civil war Who could have
believed, in advance, that a year and half
after that war had ended and after the Union
had been rescued end restored so far as our
gallant armies and navies could accomplish it,
nearly one-third Of the States should be still
seen knocking in vain at the doors OF the Capt.
toll, and should be denied even a hearing in
the councils of the country? Such a course
may, indeed be calculated to prolong the pre-
dominance Of q party, but it seems to me ute
ly inconsistent with the supremacy Of the
Constitution.
I have no disposition, however, to indulge in
any imputatlons, either upon parties or upon
individuals. | hope that spirit Of forbear-
ance and moderation will prevail at Phiadel-
phia, Notwithstanding the insulting and pro-
scriptve tone in which the Convention has been
President of the United States But [ shall
be greatly disappointed, I confess, if, through
the influence of that Convention, or through
some other influence, the people of the whole
country arc not soon aroused to the danger of
allowing the Constitution of the United States
to be longer the subject Of partial and discre-
tionary observance on the part Of those who
are sworn to support it. 1t is vain to offer
test oaths to others if we fail to fulfil our own
oaths The necessities Of state of war may
be III excuse for many Irregularities, both leg
islative and executive. But now that by the
blessing Of God, state Of peace has been res
tored to US, we are entitled to the Constitution
and the Union in all their legitimate authority
and extent Nothing less than the whole Con-
stituton and the whole Union ought to satisfy
us For one, [ should despair Of the restora-
ton Of law and order in the Southern States,
and even of the maintenance of our ma
tional credit, if there should fail to be exhib-
tied at Washington something Of that scrupu-
lous adherence to the Constitution and the laws
which characterized the earlier days Of the Re-
public Nor could anything, in my judgment,
be OF worse influence upon the future career of
our country than that Congress should even
seem to be holding in allegiance any provisions
Of the Constitution, until they shall have been
changed, under duress, in order to suit the
opinions or secure the interests of predomi-
nant party. Against such course Of proceed
ing / trust the Convention at Philadelphia will
put forth seasonabe and effective protest.
Once more regretting my inability to be pres
ent at that Convention, and thanking all to
whom I am indebted for the honor of being
named as delegate,
remain, dear sir, with great regard, very
faithfully, yours, RoB'T. G. WINTHROP.
QUEEN EMMA, III WASHINGTON.
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