MY DEAR SIR,—I am
glad you like the message, it seems generally agreeable, and I hope may do
good. I regret that some of our New York Whigs still insist that the late
measures cannot allay the excitement on the slave question. To say they cannot,
is much the same as to say they shall not. To declare that slavery is
unreasonable, that it is too exigent, that it cannot and will not be appeased,
what is this but to instigate renewed agitation, to keep the angry controversy
still up?
The South finds
itself still exasperated, and as it thinks, insulted, by terms of contumely and
reproach. I am sick at heart when I see eminent and able men, fall into such a
train of thought and expression. Burke says, that in cases of domestic
disturbance, peace is to be sought in the spirit of peace. Other oracles
nowadays prevail, and we seem to expect to obtain the return of domestic peace
by the continuance of reciprocal assaults, affront, and contumely. But enough
of this. The peace of the country to a considerable extent will be restored,
whoever resists, or whoever opposes.
I want to see you
very much, on three or four things. Come as soon as you can.
It is too dark to
see, and so I have made a blunder, in writing on two sheets. I have made many
greater blunders.
D. W.
SOURCE: Fletcher
Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol.
2, p. 406-7
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