SENATE CHAMBER,
December 16, 1859.
DEAR TYLER: The
excitement seems to abate slightly in Congress, but it is on the rise in nearly
every Southern State. The most alarming indication is that the mass of the
people, heretofore silent and conservative, are taking the lead in repelling
and denouncing the insults and outrages offered at the North. Governor Letcher,
who arrived here a day or two since, has given Mr. Hunter a most startling
account of the movements among the people in his, the conservative part of
Virginia. Nothing has made so much bad blood as the endorsement of the Helper
Book, and the attempt now making to promote a man who did this to the
responsible station of Speaker of the House. The next most offensive thing is
the sympathy manifested for old Brown. It is no longer necessary for
fire-eaters to take the lead. They will be obliged to stay the popular
indignation rather than lead it. But I have no fear of a separation in
Congress. Sherman, if elected, will immediately discard the "Helper
Book," and the Southern men will settle down, and then we shall begin to
take steps on the presidential question, and adopt our policy; at present, no
one seems to talk about the presidency. I agree with you that the
"Abolitionists should be denounced, and not the South," and I
understand the hint right well; but, sir, I tell you that so often as a
Southern senator rises in his place, and falsely assails my constituents,
attributing to the Democratic portion "deception and corruption," as
did Iverson, I shall denounce the assertion and repel it. It is by submission
to outrages of this character that we lose our hold on the North and the
respect of the South. Every Southern senator, except Iverson, approves of my
action in that matter. Then, sir, as to the general subject, I do not feel at
liberty to act the partisan entirely. Party must give way to some respect for
the sake of the nation. No man living entertains a more profound aversion to
Abolition fanaticism than myself. I regard the leaders of the Abolition party
as traitors to the Constitution, and shall so denounce them so soon as
excitement recedes a little. But enough; when you come on we shall have a long
talk about matters and things in general. Yours truly,
WM. BIGLER.
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