Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-10-21
THE MASSACHUSETTS CAMPAIGN.
LETTER IRON THE HON. RoBEsT c. wis.
THROP.

LETTER FROM THE HON. ROBERT c. WIN
THROP.
To the Editor Of The Boston I'oa.
DEAR SIR: ! am sorry TO see by
this mornings Post that my name
wat placed at the head of the list of
vice presidents at the Democratic
meeting last night. ! am duly sensi-
bic of the compliment, but it was
without my consent. Let Inc add,
however, in Justice to the committee,
that n printed invitation was addressed
to me but, owing to its being left at
nv house, it reached me too late.
For many years past ! have been
altogether an independent voter. Dur
ing this period | have repeatedly sup
ported Democratic candidates, and /
am quite likely to do so again. But
| have sometimes voted the Repubi-
can ticket aud prefer to remain for
the rest of my life unconnected with
any party organization.
Indeed, had no purpose of enter
ing at all into the political discussions
of the approaching election, but 10
reserve the privilege of voting accord
ing to my immediate convictions when
the election day shall arrive. And
this / shall still do.
But | have nothing to conceal, and
this occasion obliges me to say frankly
that | am opposed to-day, as | always
have been, to any concerted array of
solid Norths against solid Souths.
These sectional antagonisms and con-
tentions are worthy of all reprobation,
and never more so than when foment-
ed and kept alive, one the on side or
on the other, for the purpose of pro-
longing party power They brought
ON the war, and they will still inter
fere with the best fruits of peace.
The condition of the freedmen them
selves-their prospects of education,
and their secure enjoyment of all the
privileges of citizenship, would, in my
judgment, be far more hopeful if the
pressure of solid North we're taken
off from the Southern States, and if
they could cease to feel, whether rea-
sonably or unreasOnably, that they
were under the dominion Of conquer
Ors.
This is the great consideration which
weighs on my own mind, my view of
the coming election, and which will
control my vote. Ii is not a question
of candidates or persons. 1t is not
question of parties or platforms. 1t is
not question whether the decision of
the Electoral Commission, four years
ago, was just or unjust. Nor is it,
with me, any question as to the ad-
ministration of President Hayes, which
has been so generally acceptable. But
my vote will be influenced solely by
the desire TO help iu breaking up the
intense sectionalism which has so long
prevailed in our land. | long to see
Southern people once more divided into
parties, as they were when / was in
public life-not by caste, or color or
sympathy with a lost cause, but accord.
ing to their honest judgment offwhat
is best for the whole country. But the
North must concur, and even lead the
way, in this patriotic obliteration of
sectional prejudices, or it will fail to
be accomplished.
Let me only add, that / am not one
of those who foresee dangers to our
institutions, or to the general prosperi-
ty of the country, in the success of
the Democratic party. Nor, in view
of the great uncertainties of the re-
suit, does il seem wise TO create a panic
in advance by exaggerated partisan
predictions. In my opinion, there has
never been q moment since the war
ended when it would have beeu safer
to intrust the government to such a
man as General Hancock, with the
assurance that It would be administer
ed upon principles as broad as the
Constitution, and as comprehensive as
the Union.
Yours respectfully.
RoB'T G. WINTHROP.
Brookline, Mass, Sept. 80.