MY DEAR SIR—I perused and reperused the beautiful note which you placed
in my hands as I was about leaving Washington, with deeper emotion than I have
ever experienced, except under some domestic vicissitude. Since I learned the
noble and generous qualities of your nature, the unfortunate occurrences in our
early acquaintance to which you refer have caused me many moments of painful
regret, and your confiding communication has furnished a powerful illustration
of the truth, that "to err is human, to forgive divine." Numerous and
valued are the testimonials of confidence and regard which a somewhat extended
acquaintance and lengthened public service have gathered around me, but among
them all there is none to which my heart clings so fondly as this.
I have presented it to my family and friends as the proudest passage in
the history of an eventful life, and shall transmit it to my posterity as a
sacred and cherished memento of friendship. I thank Heaven that it has fallen
to my lot to be associated with yourself and others in resisting the mad
current of disunion which threatened to overwhelm us; and the recollection that
my course upon a question so momentous has received the approbation of the most
distinguished American statesman, has more than satisfied my ambition. Believe
me, my dear Sir, that of all the patriots who came forward in the evil day of their
country, there was no voice so potential as your own. Others could buffet the
dark and angry waves, but it was your strong arm that could roll them back from
the holy citadel.
May that beneficent Being who holds the destiny of men and nations, long
spare you to the public service, and may your vision never rest upon the
disjointed fragments of a convulsed and ruined confederacy.
I pray you to accept and to present to Mrs. Webster the kind remembrances
of myself and family, and to believe me sincerely yours.
[This note was written in answer to the letter of approval and
commendation of his course in Congress, addressed to Mr. Dickinson by Mr.
Webster, at the close of the session of 1850, and which appears in the
preceding Biographical Sketch. The "occurrences" alluded to by both
with regret, were passages of some asperity which took place between them in
debate, soon after the commencement of Mr. Dickinson's term in the Senate,
while they were in every sense political opponents, and, as yet, personally
strangers. The exigencies of the public service soon brought them into
acquaintanceship, and the modification of feeling which took place between them
was alike honorable to both. No more noble exhibition of magnanimity can be
found than Mr. Webster's acknowledgment of it, so beautifully and delicately
expressed in the letter alluded to. Mr. Dickinson's reply was characterized by
heartfelt sincerity, and by equal delicacy and beauty of expression. This correspondence
is a most pleasing episode in the rugged course of political and party
history.]
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