Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-09-24

LETTER FRoH CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.
New YoRK. sept. l7-In response TO a
newspaper paragraph suggesting his name
in connection with the presidential nOmi-
nation next year. Charles Francis Adams
writes the following letter from Quincy,
Mss
w Dear Nr | cannot but be deeply
moved by the voluntary expressions of es-
teen which occasionally ind in the news
papers in reference to myself. trus,they
may NOT have the Effect OF turning my heal
or making mt think myself better than
/ ought to think. With regard to the sug
/ ge>tlon made in the article to which yOu
call my attention. am sure that it would
/ be very agreeable to undertake the work.
But have, | fear, already on my hands
/ quite as much as | dare hope 90 accomplish
/ during my time of lite. approaching 50 near
to the three score and teu prescribed a. the
/ limit OF usefulness; as do | shalt have to
make haste or run a great risk of leaving
matters IN confusion. lt Is for this reason
that have been, perhaps, 200 Indifferent
to the wishes ot many who have desired to
have NE called again into public life. sec
nothing, then, lnSt now which promises
happy results within short tine. Mean
while am steadily releasing myself from
the responsibilities. if not OF writing histO-
ry, at least CT putting out of the reach of
accident the valuable materials for writing
it which have been placed in my hands or
which | have myself gathered IN my own
career. | doubt whether could be more
useful 10 the world IL any other way.
Pray excuse u 6 for tins egotism. and be-
lie5e me, Very truly yours,
CHARLES francis ADAMS.
i fully accord with GOV. Morton that We
should never surrender an iota of the claims
that we fought for. 1t was the holie.t of
holy causes. We were right, and our enc
mice were wrong, and il must be so under
stood for all time to come. 1t is the duty of
every man TO teach his children, in the
strongest manner, that We were right and
the rebels were wrong. In regard to State
rights, have no doubt that the war decided
that question. Indiana as State has her
rights, all the States have their rights, but
they must be subordinate to the rights of the
Nation. The relation of the States has been
well compared to the harmony Of the solar
system each star in its orbit SUBJECT to one
great ruling power over all.
As | remarked before, | have no doubt the
war for State rights is ended, bu., should
disputes arise, there Is power at Washing
tOn-the Supreme Court Of the United States
which can settle them. Should that power
fail, there will be an appeal to arms, which
you, my boys, will know how to respond to.
The time is opportune to take a retrospective
view of, and To look forward to the future Of
our country. Next year, the Nations Cen
tennial will take place, when the people
will assemble to consider the past and adopt
plans for the future. Withal, no reflection
can he more impressive than that OF the
bOundless extent Of our country. The Ma
tion is moving Westward, year by year. like
grand old army. 1t has marched on until
the boundary can not easily be defined. A
little while ago ! travelled in palace car
over country where a, one time you could
not 90 without danger of losing your scalp.
There is tide of migration and industry
which, from the North and North west, and
from the Northeast Is closing around, and
will absorb the rebellious element Of the
South. In regard to the people OF the
South, it is not worth while to pay too
much attention 10 their discomfort. Nurse
their wrath as they may, the time will
soon come when rebels will !. be as hard to
find as tories of the Revolution. | would
like for you to find man now who will
admit that his father or grandfather was
tory. think before the close of this CEN
tury you may seek in vain for man who
will acknowledge that he fought against
this old flag Of ours.