568 ROBERT CHARLES WINTHROP. 



In 1851 Mr. Wiuthrop was the Whig candidate for Governor of 

 Massachusetts ; but, as the law then stood, an absolute majority was 

 required for a popular election, and, failing that, the Governor was 

 chosen by the newly elected legislature. Here again the Coalition 

 triumphed, no candidate having a majority of the popular vote, 

 though Mr. Winthroj) had by far the largest number ; and the legis- 

 lature elected George S. Boutwell. 



Thus ended Mr. Winthrop's political service, which had reflected 

 the highest honor on his name, his State and his person. He was a 

 conservative in the truest and highest sense, deeply attached to his 

 country and her traditions, suspicious of everything which tended to 

 break up directly or insidiously the flourishing fabric which had been 

 constructed with such amazing rapidity in the generation that immedi- 

 ately succeeded the misery of Mr. Madison's war, but eager for every- 

 thing which could promote that wonderful development peacefully and 

 honorably. Those who have been trained to believe that his political 

 conduct showed a lack of moral courage would do well to read the 

 debates on the annexation of Texas and the Mexican war, in which 

 he gave voice completely and convincingly to the highest moral senti- 

 ment of Massachusetts. If the 2)resent laws of election had been in 

 force at the time he was defeated as candidate for Governor, he would 

 have been declared elected to that post, and probably had no diffi- 

 culty in securing several re-elections. He was a national patriot, who 

 would not for a score of Senatorships have renounced what he con- 

 sidered his duty to his whole country in submission to any sectional 

 feeling. 



Particular attention should be drawn to his services as Speaker, 

 both in Boston and in Washington. It may be confidently asserted 

 that no occupant of those chairs ever discharged his duty with greater 

 dignity, courtesy, and understanding of its minutest details. That 

 be was entirely impartial is proved by the fact that fifteen of the very 

 bitterest and most irreconcilable extremists, equally divided between 

 North and South, voted to strike out that word from the vote of thanks 

 to him. 



For the last half of Mr. Winthrop's life he occupied what is called 

 a private station. He had, indeed, allowed his name to head the 

 Democratic electoral ticket in 1864, with no idea that he could be 

 chosen. But thei'c have been very few men in any country, or 

 at any period, who have discharged so faithfully, usefully, and ac- 

 ceptably such multifarious public duties. The record of them is to be 

 found in the second, third, and fourth volumes of his public addresses, 



