The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-24
WASHINGTON, June 80, lS49.

WASHINGTON. June 23. ls49.
Hon. Henry H. Wise, Accomac county, Va.:
My DEAR SIR | wish | could say that feel none of
that socitude expressed in your letter to our mutual
friend, DR.. Gas, (Which has been Just shown To me- J
regard to the existing condition of public concernsa
and the consequences likely arise from certain moves
nents OF one or two OF our leading politicians TO which
sure you, have felt socly oppressed with doubt
and dependency, considered the Union itself
danger than do at this moment Last year, seemed to
be admitted by all discerning men that political sky
was not little gloomy and menacing but noe. the very
blackness OF darkness appears to have spread like flu
neral pail over the whole armament. Had been
able TO effect last winter fair and frnterna copro,
mise OF the question OF Slavery territories at one
time was confidently expected, there would have been
but little in the vista of the future sadden the heart
alarm the fears of the patriot but the Vaccinations of
wicked and perverse men have trumphel the
honesty and manly energy of others
and 10 hope has been transformed into dsmay and
fusion has taken place of order just too the
of danger and difficulty seemed drawing TO close For
one shall ever look upon the defeat of the Walker
amendment OF our last session the most unfortunate
event OF our history; and shall be indeed greatly dis
appointed if those who have been heard ercely exut
over the success of their wicked dexerity, not
lated hereafter TO lament the success OF their Efforts
sackcloth and ashes.
| confess myself wholly unable to divine how any
man. wishing well to the administration of General lay
lor and really DESTROYS that the ship of State while
der his guidance, should be favored with calm weather
and tranquil could WISH notwithstanding, to keep
this alarming territorial question open for future aga
ton and excitement; nor do find il whit less difficult
to understand how leading democratic senator from
the slave States OF the confederacy, could reconcile it
to his OF duty to his constituents deliberately to
unite, at a moment so critical with the worst and bitter
est foes of domestic southern institutions, in prevent
ing the settlement OF question so full Of perpexi'y and
peril not to the South only, but to the Union also And
here is the vote in the Senate the s day OF March
last upon the proposed amendment of MIR. Walker after
it had been agreed to in committee OF the whole, and
ported for final action:
Affirmative pote. Messrs Achson, Bell, Berren Butler
Calhoun, Davis OF Mississippi, Dickinson, Dodge OF
and Johnson OF Georgia, King Mangum, Mason, Pearcs
Rusk Sturgeon, Turnsy. Underwood, Walker Westcott
Negative poMessrs. Allen, Anterior, Baldwin, BEN
TON Corwn, Davis of Massachusetts. Dix Fech Greene
Wacs' '''''' N"'' f"0'r' 'p'D'''0' opNAn' and
That after making up his mind join in defeating the
only plan of compromise which seemed practicable. Mr.
Benton should follow up his eachery TO the South and
the Union with further movements in the direction
was to be expected from the and his position; but
that even he should have presumed to turn without prov
ocation upon those who had been struggling ardenty
for two sessions to save the Union from destruction and
me South from degradation and rum and accuse them OF
being traitors AMI dtsunontsts, surely not to be
anticipated And yet this precisely what has occurred
and though the intelligent freemen Of Missouri appear to
take correct view of his conduct still the fact cannot be
concealed that his detection has already impaired much
confidence to in the North whilst our friends
in that quarter of the Union have been proportonaely dis
couaged and parayzed It now appears manifest that
the Wilmot Provso will pass both houses OF Congress
and II he who saved his countrys honor upon the field
Iof Buena Vista shall be found unwilling to rescue il
again IN the dread nour winch is last approaching Goo
only knows what borrid scenes to witness. or
one consolation though the generous sons OF the South
car be derauded: no instance has been yet re-
corded on the page OF authentic history, in which the
athess soldier who abandoned his coors, and stole
to the enemy, .ams the heat and confusion of battle,
ever aerward found himself rewarded according to
his hopes by those whose triumph he had thus be-
come auxiliary.
On reading the speech which Mr. Benton delivered at
Jefferson city few weeks since copy of which was
sent you day two ago from this place. you will
not fail TO be struck with the fact that, whilst he has
taken it upon himself, at the safe distance of thou
sand miles or from the objects of his assailment,
to accuse all whose signatures were affixed to the
Address of the Southern Delegates in Congress to their
Constituents" of having been found aiding and abeng
lin rank dsunion plot he has done you and your pa
triotc county of Accomac the honor of arrayng you
lin the very front rank of treason and rebellion.
cannot doubt that you will agree with me in consid-