Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-10-03
LIspESwALp, June 10, 1913

Gentlemen: have had The honor to receive your
letter. inviting me, in behalf of The friends OF rish
Liberty in Mlledgeve and It's vicinity, to meet with
them the 4th of July, for the purpose Of devsng
suitable further the efforts of their beth-
in Ireland, TO for themselves the nestima-
be privileges of civil and religious liberty; and de-
sirng expression of my views and feelings upon
the subject, the OF my no, being able TO at
tend person.
II scarcely be necessary to assure you OF The
pleasure it would afford me to meet portion OF my
fellow citizens well entitled to my respect and graft
tude, on q day and occasion, which are both SO
full Of Interest," but this, you reasonably anticipate
IS out of my power. You do more than justice TO
my feelings, gentlemen, liz relying, with confidence,
upon favorable response 10 those by which you are
animated. The zeal and fidelity with which the great
body of the emgrants from Ireland have sustained the
Republican principles upon which the Government OF
the u. States e based we'll in in peace, are
too well known to require example or iustrat,on.-
The blood of r,shme freely shed in the struggle
for independence we'll succeeding efforts
maintain it nvioate; and among the most lllustons
martyrs to our freedom will be found The names OF not
few generous Of ireland. Thus associated in the
vicsstudes of and peace, in the acquisition OF H.
berry, its preservation and its enjoyment, the Democra
cy of the u STATES, in whose feelings have always
participated, have, a natural consequence, on all
occasions manifested deep interest in The prosperity
and happiness of people, from whom the country has
received many gallant soldiers and valuable ci;i-
Gems, and The Democratic many and such IN.
firing supporters No sincere friend of that cause can
therefore, feel Indifferent a topic which deeply
Germs, and which, judging from all indications that
have under my observation, extensively e5ctes
The parent country Of those To whom he is bound by
ties sacred and enduring.
Looking the scrupulous and well known policy Of
our Government, which prescrIbes a sednous avoid
ance of any act which may have tendency TO bring
in the vortex Of foreign inuence-a policy whic n
had it's origin in the farewell admOnons OF the Father
of his country, enforced by the great Apostle OF
civil and religious libery-there may be honest differ
ences Of oplnIon amongst in relation to the extent
OF the agency which American citizen can with
proprety in controversies involving the IN.
ternal externa relations of other countries But, IN
the ardor and sincerity OF wishes for the success o
all who labor for the extension OF Euuman rights, and our
deep and abiding sympathy the suffering condition
OF those whose patriotic efforts you desire to aid all true
| Republicans be of mind | cannot bring
myself to believe that exhibition OF opinion by our
people, favorable 10 the justice and wisdom Of reform
in the political system Of another country, to be
pshed, ii accomplished at all, by constitutional and
Legal means accompanied by expression also Of our
ervent wishes for the OF all such means when
applied TO such ends, however great may be their moral
foce hr justly regarded censurable departure
from policy elevated 10 it's origin, and fortunately
| thoroughly incorporated with the sentiment oil TINS
country.
The TACT, that an immense majority OF the people OF
Ireland, after experience of nearly half century,
thoroughly satisfied that the legislative union ~h'ch
they desire abTa1ae, and which derives nll
raj force from being designed 10 promote their happI-
aud welfare, has proved rrinous 10 both, 10 OF
s-lf sufficient ens, the feelings of every American
C teen thoroughly mbued with the spirit IN which his
own Institutions are founded
/ The results of this experience moreover IN har-
mony with the dictates of No distinct people
deprived Of local Legislature be well governed
The nature of man must be changed before any legs-
laiive assemhlage, wherever convened, or however
arefuy selected will be found 10 egsule for sepa
roc and distinct people, Of whose particular wants they
must To extent least he Ignorant and whose M
teres may not always correspond with their own, as
prudently wisely or as usefully, as when passing
laws which to operate directly and equally upon
themselves and upon thnse amongst whom they 1--we
Acting upon this principle Of the entire soundness Of
which there be debut, the Government OF the
United States have always heen careful 10 confer upon
their territorial districts, when Numbering in population
only few thousand the RICH, 10 territorial legislatures
ect the responsibilities to their constituents,
vernmPn,s.
Apply these views 10 Ireland, contain ng probably
eight millions Of people, always separate from and for
ages independent Of the nation which exercises
most if all the prerogaves the sovereignty
her. and would possible to doubt the justice
or utility Of the proposed mod'hcation of union which
does not appear to have snbserved the purposes
for which it originally framed.
am, gentlemen, with great respect,
Your most o5t servant,
NJ. VAN buren,.
Messrs Miller G,ieve, John G Park Taos F. G ecr,