The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-21

Office. but 1 feel strong confidence that
any TO which he may be assigned will
be filled by him with eminent fidelity
and integrity. Respectfully,
HORACE GREELEY.
To the Postmaster General after March
4, 1851.
Mr. Greeley's plea wes also success
full. for Mr.. GrinneII secured a soft snap
that he held for a number Of years.
The autograph letter of Charles Sum
ner is brief and TO the point. He wanted
a Job for a Massachusetts, constituent.
and he asked for IT without preliEi
naries and without any remarks as to
the candidates qualifications for the
place. The records show that he got II
without delay.
Another autograph letter Of recon-
mendation from James A Garfield re-
ceived no attention. After time Mr..
Garfield wrote another, which was not
quite so polite. and he got what he was
after-a good Office for friend-in ex-
actly three days.
One Of the most interesting papers In
the collection is a letter written by one
Perry Moses. who lived in that hotbed
of secession, Charleston, s. c. The cir
cunstances surrounding the writing Of
the letter and Mr. Moses appointment to
81. 900 once in the postal service are
somewhat peculiar
Mr.. Moses applied for a place just at
the close Of Buchanan's Administration.
He had prominent backing for the i'm
portant place he desired, and Horatio
King. who was then First Assistant
Postmaster General, wrote him a per-
sonal letter suggesting that he send
communication to the department on
the state OF the Union. Mr.. King Sc
lected this subject because it happened
20 be the first that came in his mind,
and the letter from Mr.. Moses was de-
sired merely to show the latter's quail
hcations in the line OF penmanship.
composition. etc. The following was
the result;
Washington. D. C., October 26, 1860.
Sir: You asked me this morning for
an expression OF my opinion on the state
of the Union. The subject is one OF grave
and vast Importance. involving as X
does the interest OF probably oys- d.
OC0, 600 inhabitants.
II is at this time engrossing the
thoughts OF not only every thinking man
and patriot but even women and children
for the interests OF all are indissolu-
bly, connected by links OF the sam
chain. Our political horizon is shrouded
IN gloom and darkness and the ship Of
state hangs lowering on the verge OF
death: none can say II she viii weather
the storm or be enguifed in the awful
abyss that yawns around. We hear the
I n e. ~ % hut ANA
alone who rules the whirlwind can say
II she will reach a harbor Of safety or
be shattered into q thousand fragments
Section is now unhappily arrayed
against section: the 9Th OF November.
the big day that the destinies OF our
! country and our institutions Will decide
whether or not we shall pursue the even
tenor OF our ways, peaceful and prosper
/ inE under o Democratic rule, or witness
/ the triumph Of a party whose policy. II
! is feared, may be bitterly hostile 10 the
South and her institutions; an event
y hich from present appearances We
have but too much reason TO expect.
! New York is now the Palladium Of
/ our safety; may she in her conserva-
/ tiveness hurl back the advancing tide
/ of sectionalism and dispel the dark
clouds of anxiety and trouble which now
| lower around us Should the fates decree
! IL otherwise fear the agitation That VIII
ensue may sever the bonds that now
unite US as one people.
! The state % excitement prevailing in
/ my native State and other sections OF
the South is more intense than / have
ever witnessed and perhaps upon the
/ first news of Lincoln's election will IN
duce measures that may eventuate dis
solution. Whatever the result of the
| { election. trust in God that affairs
may so shape themselves that the people
OF the South may find that neither their
safety nor their honor demand such ex-
IRENE measures / am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
| PERRY MOSES.
| Hon. Horatio King, First Assistant
| Postmaster General.
/ Despite the expressions contained in
the letter. Mr.. King Immediately ap-