[142] You must sigh in your heart over the deplorable war in which we are now engaged. Public sentiment is becoming stronger against it. It is destined to be most unpopular. The ground which I took in my letter to Winthrop last autumn in favor of stopping the supplies, and withdrawing the troops, is now adopted by a large section of the Whig party.To Lieber, in Columbia, S. C., March 25:—
The Mexican War has hastened by twenty or thirty years the question of slavery. The issue is now made; it will continue until slavery no longer has any recognition under the Constitution of the United States. . . .Massachusetts is fast becoming, if she be not now, a thorough, uncompromising antislavery State.To George Sumner:—
April 30. ‘The victories of Taylor promise to overthrow all political speculations. He has fastened himself upon the public mind, so that he can probably be President almost—without party aid. . . . Indeed, it is evident that after his election there must be a new formation of parties, probably hinging on slavery.’ June 1. ‘You will be received most kindly. I have offended many persons much by my opposition to Winthrop; but they will all be glad to see you, even Winthrop himself. Perhaps you have seen him. He was to be in Paris about this time. He is cold and formal, and for a politician “honest;” but he measures his course by the doctrines of expediency and the tactics of party. But I suppose he cannot do otherwise. I am disposed to believe that there is a necessity which controls our course, though I will not undertake to reconcile this with the seeming freedom of will which we enjoy.’ June 30. ‘You and I must stick together against slavery. Come home,— perhaps to devote your genius and energies to that cause so far as you mingle in public affairs.’ July 15. ‘If you fall in with Winthrop, don't avoid him on my account. I don't want you to share any of my enmities, but only my friendships. But I have no personal feelings to w. except of kindness.’ July 31. ‘I think you are mistaken in saying that in the prison movements I felt the recoil of the Fourth of July oration. It was the opposition to Winthrop that aroused personal feelings against me. No development not calculated to bear immediately upon politics seriously disturbs people; but the cotton lords, whose nominee winthrop was, were vexed with me for that just and righteous opposition. It has cost me friendships which I value much.’To Thomas Corwin, September 71:—
It cannot be doubted that territory will be acquired. The iron hand which is now upon California will never be removed. Mr. Webster's efforts, when Secretary of State, to obtain a port there are too well known; so that even if
