New Hampshire Statesman

For the N. H. Statesman.

Mr. Editor: Among "the signs of the times" which indicate the approaching triumph of Free State principles over the hitherto domineering control given to the interests of the "peculiar institution" of the South, is the disposition to return to the ballot box on the part of very many worthy and good men, who have absented themselves from the polls for several years past, because they believed that voting did no good towards "breaking every yoke, and letting the oppressed go free." They were generally men very much devoted to the cause of universal liberty; and witnessing, with grief, the indifference with which their cause and their labors in its support were treated by the mass of their fellow citizens, were led to cut loose from many formerly cherished privileges, and run into extremes, of which they never would have known any thing, had they not been unnecessarily censured for the zeal they indulged in a cause now honored by hundreds of thousands, who ten years ago were among its opponents.

I know personally many men, who have not voted for six or eight years, on account of their cold feelings towards their old voting friends, who now say that the Liberty Party and the Free State Whigs are taking so strong stand against Slavery, that they shall come to the polls next March, and do what they can in aid of overthrowing a northern party, which uniformly sustain southern principles, southern men, and southern institutions. In one town in the State there are seven, at least, of this class of men; and while all such should be welcomed back to the ballot box with feelings of kindness, let us not forget the labors they have given, in other days, towards arousing the freemen of the North to look in the face a great national evil, which overshadows most other evils in the land.

L.