Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-09-29

in behalf of our political friends and feIiow-cit.-
zens in Grcenbrer, 10 address them at Lews'
burg OH Thursday nert upon the state oil pubic
affairs, and the important subjects involved III
tie approaching Presidential election.
/ II was certainly not my intention, nor desire,
in visiting this place for short time, to mngle
further III the discussions Of the important aud
exciting questions IN which had reccniiy 20
largely participated in other portions OF the State
Far from it, beg to assure you. ! came here
few days since for The purpose Of repose and
the benefit of The waters, rendered necessary
by severe ndsposition and impaired Leaith.-
But yeti do not feel myself at liberty 10 decline
unconditi"naliy the invitation you have been
pleased 10 convey in behalf Of SO large portion
OF my political friends, and the acceptance OF
which you are kind enough 10 regard as mat
Ter Of importance Indeed, since have been
drawn from my retirement into the political
arena, | have made il q rule 10 shrink
from no duty Of the kind which had II IN
my power 10 PERFORM and have accordingly,
upon all fit occasions, willingly obeyed the
wishes Of my fellow citizens in 4 free
and frank interchange o. opinion and sentiment,
and ihe public discussion o. the vital ana ensross-
ing topics 81 The day. On such an occasion as
TINS, lhen, 90 not ieel myself at Liberty 10 decline
the cali Tia! ias been made, ant therefore willing
ly yield my assent 10 your sshe, and accfp, The
invitation 10 meet you al Lewsbur, on Thurs
day next should my health enable me 10 do So and
will then address such OF my fellow citizens As may
be DESTROYS 10 hear me. Should il, however, not
be in my power 10 be present, you will please
consider this letter as the apology, tor my a5-
sence.
concur with you, gentleman, in opinion, as
| To The importance Ol the contest which Is no"
agilatns so deeply our whole county. regard
il as no! only important, bu, cmphaicaly as The
most important election for good or evil, that has
taken place since The foundation Of The Govern
men', involving as il does in It's results, not only
the present peace and happiness OF our common
country, bur tear the possible success and tri'
umph oi our tree institutions. Indeed u j. now
no longer 10 be disguised that old party issHes and
priHc,pLeS, are in Il great measure IL b. abandon
ed; Fcdcraiits ami Republicans; Dsm1c,atS anG
Wigs, arc. IN ceriln parts Of the Union, I" civS
place 70 Free S,tt. ara tree Specch pati0ts;" The
well est ,blished ard defined parry divisions are
nov - he made yield 10 Ptieni and sgcti'n
al CONSIDERATIONS, and 10 ALLEVIATE one portion ~ The
country from The res; that era, OF all o.h":>
az .lnsl which the warning voice Of The Father q
his country was 50 signally raised, ant which
Mr. Jefferson regarded as the fire bill in ~
night" which, once freely sounded, was 10 rouse
up the whole nation with alarm, and prove, II
Inc end, the kntll OF our GLORIOUS Union. II Is
vain AMI idle 10 shut our eyes 10 The danger ha
threatens us, and which al candid and liberia
men must see, is involved in the approaching
Presidential contest And what American, al
| tached 10 hi country, can look upon it--wha
Southern man, however stepped in party polite.
can contemplate such a STATE Of Ihines-Whor
the deepest soIicnude and anguish |, is 50 a
war with The spirit in which our institutions wee
oundei-So contrary 10 The expectations aud
hopes OF The patri)'s who founded our Republic
30 repngnanl 10 The feelings Of every lover II hi
country, and Of every friend 10 he civil liberty Of
MANKIND (Which seems now 10 hang upon The
desl.ies Of these Sia,e>,) that there ought 10 be
;eW, if any who would FOL Ue willing 10 maxi
every sacfifce RI partY, rather than put A. hazard
onr glorious Union, and those great principles
winch have been, and mus continue 10 be, a ii.ht
10 tighten mankind 10 the rights and 10 their Ii.
berries. That hi, danger will continue 10 approach
nearer and nearer 10 US in the South, under eve
ry future Presidential confess, must be apparent;
and, unless decisive measures be taken 10 shield
ourselves and our interests, il mast b!in. US t.
ruin. There is but one way 10 meet il Success
folly ard peaceab bly,, in my opinion and that is,
by The sssL0a and frmn,ss n The DeD0cratic Par.
IN IN crery portion Of tie UnioH (may not say
OF every American Pauiu y 10y forgetting anu
torsivinS all parry differences, ard ralyiLe as
one man, 10 The defence OF Constitutional, ,tshts
and liberties, and The preservation OF our holy
Union.
These, gentlemen, ale my deliberate and candid
opinions, freely and frankly cxpressed.-My ob
jeci, therefore, in accepting your invitation and
addressing my fellow citizens on Thursday mex,
will be 10 satisfy them that this is the view in
wach The present contest ought 10 b. regarded,
and that the only hope Of safety ard succour will
b. in the election OF Lewis Cass and VIM. ..
Butler
am, gentlemen, with sentiments Of respect
aud esteem your friend and obedient servant
ANDREW STEVENSON.
John Bower Calweil, Patrick Be!ne VIM II.
Syme, Cha's Page, Cha's l.. Arbucsle, Sam'l
5. Thompson, Esqs. COMMITTEE, sc. &c.