Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-05-11
THE SOUTH INDICATED.
LETTER TO CHARLES SUMNER BY LADY

LETTER TO CHARLES SUMNER BY A LAD,
An old lady of more than sevent
years, who was born and raised in Mas
sachusetts, and has always resided a
the North, but does not belong to tn
abolition school of politics, and VIII
from time to time spends her winter
in the South, where she has relations
has recently tried the experiment @
bringing Charles Sumner to q realiza
tion of his sins, by addressing him
letter, a liberal extract from which W
were permitted to make and publish
The subject matter is all of politica
nature, and concerns the whole coun
try.
We are informed that Mr.. Sumner
only reply was copy of his speech OF
Equality before the law y" The let
ter is brief, but able and powerful
review of the political situation, pas
and present; and if Mr.. Sumner ha
any sensibilities left, it must hav
reached them, especially as he ha
experienced the ingratitude of hi
idol-a negro Republic, and is evel
talked of by some so-called Democrats
as their candidate for the Presidency
Charles must be an exception to tn
old couplet, that,
while the lamp holds out to burn,
Ihe viiest sinner may return"
Either this or the lamp has gon
out, and he is lost forever. Anothe
sad example of Ephraim and his idols
but Ephraim idols were not of tn
same color. We invite attention /,
the letter, as follows :-E.cchange.
Hon. Charles .Sunmer, NJ, g.:
Some one has said: aThe true tos
of statesmanship is to strengthen an,
improve-not weaken or destroy"
When our fathers formed the Gov
ernment of this country, they erected
an edltice which has challenged tn,
admiration of the world. Year afte
year, as fourth of July came round
our own poets and orators We'd will
each other in uttering praises of ;
Government which combines such beau
tiful harmony of Liberty and Law,
cangratulating themselves and thei
hearers that they were members o
this Model Republic" and were pro
tected by the best Government tn,
world ever saw"
Though only thirteen (13) States a
first, provision was made for the addi
ton of any number. The Genera
and State Governments were each SOW
ereig ign in their domain; each a barrie
against the enchroachments of tn,
other, each supporting the other, an,
all tending to the prosperity and hap
piness of the whole people, and til,
permanency of Republican liberty.
How those original States, and thos,
which We added, increased in popula
tion, and were prospered in their ma
terial interests, is known to all Al
most a century of unparalleled prosper
lty attcsts the wisdom of our fathers
true, noble, and free, in maxim.
the self.sustaining principle the corner
stone of the New Republic"
Look at this once beautiful and sym
metrical edifice now-this once har.
monious and haugty Republic. Com
pare 1t with what it was and you can
not but exclaim, " How are the might,
fallen Look at its battered ant
bruised plllars-some still standing
though with marred proportions ant
weakened foundations others laic
PROSTATE in the dust despoilcd of al
that made them useful, glorious ant
beautiful
Who has done this? What mad.
men or evil spirits have produced such
dire results? p? Was the attack made by
enemies without? or, were the most
telling blows dealt by those within il
borders, and while enjoying its mani
fold benefits? Can it be that any OF
the original thirteeen Q3) States can
claim such terrible notoriety?
You, sir, cannot be ignorant of the
fact, that for more than thirty (30)
years a man was tolerated in the capi-
tol of Massachusetts who taught the
people that our Union was a lie "
the Constitution, the Bond of Union,
was a League with death-acovcnant
a hell
Did not the lamcnted Daniel Web
stcr speak words of truth, when he
said in Congress that the action of the
New England States, in the matter of
personal Liberty Bills released the
Southern States from all Obligation to
remain in the Union? for a bond
broken on one side is broken on all
sides and ceases to be binding. Is it
not true then, that New England was
the Traitor, the Rebel, inhicting the
first deadly blow upon the Government
which had SO abundantly protected
and enriched her?
Gradually was formed that party of
which Windell Phillips says: 1T is
the first sectional party ever formed in
this country-a party of the North
pledged against the South This
party adopted the 4" Higher Law the
ory, clalmlnga right over Gods Laws
and their own Laws, Did not Sew
ard tell the Southern people: Free
your negroes at our dictation, or YOU
shall have bullets instead of ballots
cannon and bayonets instead of words. +"
Are you sir, guitless in this matter? Z?
And when you, with others had alarm
ed the South for the safety of their
rights in the Uniou-when you had
- exasperated their passions to the
highest degree" they saw no peace,
no safely but to withdraw.
Did they wish 10 leave the Union {?
You heard, but ignored the earnest
and patriotic appeals from Southern
men in Congress. You scorned and
frustrated every effort made to prevent
disruption. If | have to leave the
mon shall go with bleeding heart.
l love the Union as our Fathers made
II. | want no better Government than
that of the Constitution, butifw we can.