Helper, Hinton Rowan (1829-1906) to John Sherman
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00657 Author/Creator: Helper, Hinton Rowan (1829-1906) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 February 1860 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Helper, a Unionist and anti-slavery North Carolinian, writes to Sherman, an Ohio congressman, about his opposition to slavery as a "Southern Republican." Discusses his controversial book, 'The Impending Crisis of the South.' Writes "For good or for evil, the result of my labor in that regard is now before the public, and in the desire always to know and perform my duty I am not, in this matter, moved to any apology or regret whatever. As a Southern Republican, as far from apologizing for my opposition to slavery where it does exist (as well as where it has no existence) I frankly and fearlessly avow... heretofore, that I am not a whit less hostile to slavery in the States, than I am to it in the territories. Thank God, the monster has been most effectually squelched in Kansas, and I hope to live to see the day when it shall be thoroughly throttled in Carolina."
[excerpt]
For good or for evil, the result of my labor in that regard is now before the public, and in the desire always to know and perform my duty I am not, in this matter, moved to any apology or regret whatever. As a Southern Republican, as far from apologizing for my opposition to slavery where it does exist (as well as where it has no existence) I frankly and fearlessly avow, [now as] heretofore, that I am not a whit less hostile to slavery in the States, than I am to it in the territories. Thank God, the monster has been most effectually squelched in Kansas, and I hope to live to see the day when it shall be thoroughly throttled in Carolina.
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