The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-11-26
From the Nashville Eunion.
GEN. JAMES HAMILTON'S LETTER.

We invite the special attention Of our readers to
the letter of Gen. James Hamilton, of Alabama, for
merly Governor of South Carolina, to the Central
State Committee of Tennessee The letter was
written in reply to invitation given by the Com
mliee to General II. to attend the great Democratic
Mass Meeting in this city on the 18th Of August last
but was not received in time to be published with
the regular report of the proceedings The letter is
worthy of serious consideration on several accounts
There is perhaps man in the United States more
intimately conversant with the Texas question in all
its bearing than Gen. Hamilton, being luy acquain-
ed with the condition, prospects, interests and wishes
of the people OF Texas, as well as with the immense
value Of the country, in all It's uDdeveloped resources
an accession of territory, and as atiording-when
annexed TO the United States-our greatest security
in the South against foreign enemies in all time to
come The General discusses the question of an
nexatIon IN a manner becoming his distinguished re-
putatIon a statesman.
We desire bis letter TO be read also for the bold
and manly manner in which he repels the false
charge OF dsunion made against the democracy Of
the south. No Tennessesn, we hope, can read the
just and eloquent eulogy which Gen. Hamilton pro-
nounces upsn the venerable sage OF the Hermitage
without feeling warm glow of pride and pleasure
spring up his bosom. On all these accounts, the
letter is highly interesting As an elegant and elo-
quent composition, It imparts new interest, and sug
gests views in relation to every topic discussed
No msn-Do man who loves bis country and Its instI-
tutioDs-wbo loves the Union and Constitution
they are-csn, we are fully persuaded, read it with
out receiving ample remuneration IN both pleasure
and profit for his pains.
OswIcHEE BEND, (Ala) Sept 10, 1874.
Dear Sr-I should be very insenslble to the kind
ness which dictated the letter you addressed me on
the 25,h Of July last, covering an invitation of the
Central Committee to attend the Mass Meeting OF
the Democracy recently held at Nashville, if did
not reply 10 a communication 90 cminentiy graft
Tying.
1t is only within the last few DAYS that your favor
reached me- have been absent from home for sew.
era weeks. Even if it had been received in time,
regret to say, that my engagements would have pre-
cluded the possibility Of my attendance.
! need not remark how happy would have been
to have joined your deliberations, and 10 have unite
my enthusiasm to that of the vast multitude of free
men who assembled on the occasion in question to
do homage to those principles on which the existence
Of the Union, and the liberty of the country so vital
ly depend
must confess that another reason would have rem
dered my attendance coosummotely agreeable 1t
would have afforded me an opportunity to have paid
nv last respects TO that venerable and distinguished
veteran at the Hermitage, from whom | have been
long separated by causes TO which | think it now
scafceIy necessary for me to advert To have as.ur-
ed him before he has passed from this to another and
trust better world that every feeling every recol-
lection of unkipdne.s in reference his former re-
Istons with South Carolina and her public men, have
been buried forever in the ocean. hat we now on =
" recolIect the good which, in long life he has done
bis country-the bright pillar of glory whch he has
erected on the banks of the Mississippi, with Prov
ess worthy Of the FIRST of the Cssars and unsurpass-
ed in the lustre Of its repown. That now
when on the brink Of grave, we find, by the aubor-
~ of his opinions he is again defending the valley Of
that pobls stream from influences far more dangerous
ths the war cloud and the thunder which, on the 9Th
of January, 1913, he rolled back upon the proud in
vsder in The majesty Of bis gallsntry and skill Yes.