FRANKFORT, June 7, 1850.
DEAR ORLANDO,—I returned last Sunday from Indianapolis after a week's
absence. Nothing could exceed the kindness and hospitality which attended me
throughout the State. The receptions and honors with which they endeavored to
distinguish me were almost overwhelming to one so plain as I am and so
unaccustomed to such ceremonies and distinctions. I feel that I owe to Indiana
and her governor a great debt of gratitude. In that State there is very little
political abolition, and, with a strong and patriotic feeling for the Union,
there is mingled a particularly fraternal kindness and affection for Kentucky.
The prevailing sentiment there is for a compromise and amicable settlement of
all the slavery question. The plan suggested in General Taylor's message was
spoken of frequently as most acceptable, but I think they would be satisfied
with Mr. Clay's bill. In my speech at Indianapolis I spoke of old Zack as the
noble old patriot in whom the country might have all confidence, and, without
discriminating between the various plans that had been proposed, I expressed my
hope and confidence that they would result in some form of amicable adjustment.
The occasion required me to avoid, as far as possible, the appearance of
partisanship or party politics; but it was due to my heart to give old Zack a
good word, and I did it. I felt it a duty, too, to talk right plainly to them
about abolition and the mischiefs that its meddlesome and false humanity had
brought and was tending to bring upon the country. I went so far as to advise
those who, from tenderness of conscience about slavery, could not acquiesce in
what our fathers had done, and could not reconcile themselves to the
Constitution of the United States and the performance of the duties it
enjoined, to quit the country, etc. All this seemed to be well received except,
as I learned afterwards, by some half-dozen abolitionists out of a crowd of as
many thousand. The convention is in session, and I have scarcely time to steal
a moment to write to you.
Well, you have resigned. It makes me glad, and it makes me sorry; glad that
you are coming back to us,—sorry, that you are leaving General Taylor. The
difficulties that are surrounding him only tend to increase my sympathy and
zeal for him, and I retain my confidence that the storm will rage around him in
vain, and that his firm and resolute integrity and patriotism will bear him
through triumphantly. There is one peril before him that is to be carefully
avoided, and that is the peril of having thrown upon his administration the
responsibility of defeating the bill of the committee of thirteen or any other
measure of compromise. It has appeared to me that the principal questions of
the slavery controversy might have been disposed of more quietly and easily on
the plan recommended by the President; but the people are anxious for a
settlement, and comparatively indifferent as to the exact terms, provided they
embrace anything like a compromise; and it seems to me that any concession or
sacrifice of opinion as to the mode ought to be made to accomplish the end. It
is not necessary to enlarge upon this subject. General Taylor's message is the
foundation of all their plans in this, that it avoids the Wilmot proviso; all
the rest is the mere finish of the work. My whole heart is bent on the success
of General Taylor. I know that he deserves it, and believe he will achieve it.
Tell Robert his little girls are gay as birds, and are continually dragging me
into the garden to pull strawberries with them. I have taken poor Bob's
disappointment quite to heart; but let that go.
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