Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-22
FAIRFIELD. ADDRESS

ne MAslkINGToN. I

Of citizen 10 administer the Executive Govern
ent Of the United States being not far dsan and the
oe actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed
: in designating the person who is to be clothed with ha
important trust appears proper especially as II may
eo1duee to distinct expression Of the public voice.
should now appze you OF the resolution nave 1
ed TO decline being considered among the number oil those
~out of whom choice Is TO be made.
beg YOU the time do the justice TO De as
sured that this resolution been taken without strict
regard all the considerations apprtainng TO the relation
Which binds dufu citizen 10 his counuy and mat IN
withdrawing the tender of service which silence IN my SIT
6ation, might imply influenced b. dniAution OF
for your future interests no deficiency OF grateful
spect for your past kindness; but supported by uii
&onvic,jQn tina, the step is compatible with both.
The4cepance of and continuance hitherto in the ONCE
nm sacrifice of inclination the opinion Of duty and
difference for what appeared TO be your desire con-
an,y hoped that It would have been much earlier IN my
power, consistently with motives which was not al liberty
disrega66 that retirement from which had
een 4ntly drawn. The strength OF my inclination 10
10 hisprevios 10 the election had led to the
Ras1onbf az address declare yo but reec-
ton c then perplexed and critical posture OF our AFFAIRS
with fegn nations and the unanimous advice OF persons
omitted my confidence, impeled NE 10 abandon the iaed
eoice that the state OF your concerns external do wen
inerna no longer renders the pursuit OF inclination IN
Incompatible with the sentiment OF duty OF popey ae am
persuaded whatever Partially be retained Tor my ser
vices that in the present circumstances OF our country you
will not disapp!ove my determination 10 retire.
The impressions with which first undertook the aohous
trust explained the proper occasion In the dis,
charge OF this trusi VIII only say that have WIN GOOD
intentions contributed towards the organization and admin
sra,ion Of the Government the best exerons OF winch
very ialible judgment was capable Not unconscious IN
the outset OF the nfeorty OF my quaiocatlons experience
in my eyes-peraps still more IN The eyes OF others
has strengthened the motives TO didenee OF myself; ana
every day the increasing weight of years admonshes me-
and that the shade OF retirement as necessary
il w.l be welcome. Satisfied that any ccum-
given peculiar value services they were
snoorary havs ,ae consolation TO believe that, while
choice and prudence invite quit the political scene pa
trotism does not forbid H.
In looking forward the moment which Is intenoeo 10
terminate the OF my public life, my feelings DO moi
permit 10 suspend the deep acKnoweaement o. '.a'
debt Of gratitude which owe 10 beloved country or the
many honors i, has conferred upon still for the
,,sadfas confidence with which has supported me- ana
for the opportunities have thence enjoyed OF manesths
my nvolabe attachment by services faithful and pesevc-
1ng though in usefulness unequal 10 my zeal II dement's
have resulted 10 our country rom ese services r.. u
remembered praise and as an instructive example
in annals, that under circumstances IN which the pas
sions sgatec direction were liable 10 mlsiead;
amidst sometimes dubious vcissltudes OF Tor
often oiscouagng in situations in which, not un-
cueny want CT success has counenanced the s OF cri-
csmts consancy Of your support was the essential prop
Of the efforts and guarantee of the plans, by which
they effected Profoundly penetrated with ms ioea
shall carry with my grave strong Indictment
70 unceasng vows that Heaven may continue 10 you the
choicest tokens OF its benehcence that your union ana pro-
thery affection NAV be perpeua the free Constitution
which is the work OF your hands may be sacredy maintain
ed; that its administration in every department. may pc
samned with wisdom and vue that in fine the happi-
ness OF people these States under the auspices OF Ii
berty may be made complete by SO careful preservation
prudent this blessing will acquire 10 them
the glory OF recommending it to the applause the affection
and the adoption every naon whchis stranger H.
Here perhaps ought stop; but solcitude Tor your
welfare which end but with life, and the appre
hension Of danger natua that socitude on an
occasion like the present. 10 offer 10 your solemn conteI
pation and recommend to your frequent review some
sentiments which the result Of much reflection, OF
uncomfortable observation and which appear to me all
portant the perrnanency OF your felicity as people
These will 5e afforded with the more freedom as you
can only in them tie dsnteested warnings OF parting
friend who possibly have personal motive 10 bias his
counsel; can forget, encouragement TO IL your
indugent reception my sentiments on former ana not
5issmiar occasion
interviewer the love OF liberty with every igament
haor1 mi
fortify confirm ths attachment.
The unity OF government, which constitutes peo-
also you. II il justly for II Is main
pillar in the edifce OF real ndependence-thc support
of your tranquility a, home your peace abroad OF your safe
" OF your prosperity, Of that liberty which You 90
highly prize But is easy foresee that from differ
and from different quarters much pains will be
faken many articles employed, 10 weaken IN your minds
the conviction OF this truth this is the pon, in your po
cal fortress against which the batteries Of internal and
external enemies will be constantly and actively
hough often covery and nsidoGsy) directedit is OF in
finite moment that you should properly estimate the Inn
value your national union your collective and in
divdua happiness that son! cherish Cordial habit
us and immoyable attachment, TO II; accustomng Your
selves think and speak Of of The palladium OF your
political safety and posperity watching for its preservation
with jealous anxiety dscounenaaclny whatever may sug
gest suspicion tia! event be abandoned
and Indignantly f'ownng upon the first dawnng Of every
attempt ALLEVIATE portion Of country from the rest,
enfeebe the sacred ties which link together the va
rous parts.
Citizens by birth choice OF common country,
tina, country has right 10 concentrate your a'ectons-
onal capacity must always exalt the just pride OF patriot
ism than any appelaon derived from local discrmi
nations With slight shades of difference you have the
religion manners, habits and political principles You
have, 10 common cause, fought and umphed together;
independence and liberty you possess the work Of
Joint counses and Joint efforts OF common dangers, suffer
ings and successes
But these considerations however powerfully they address
themselves 10 your sensibl;y greatly ouweghed b.
those which apply Immediately your interests here
every portion OF country finds the most commando.
motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union Of
the whole
The North in unrestrained intercourse with the South,
protected by the equal laws OF government finds
in the productions OF the latter great additional resources
OF maritime and commercial enterprise and precious mate
Ias OF manufacturing industry. The South in the
intercourse, bene:ng bv the agency Of the North,
fs agriculture gov and It's commerce expand Turn
ing partly into rs channels the OF The North
II finds lis pasucu!at navigation !nvigo.atcd and while
il contributes, In different norish and increase the
general OF the national lvon looks forward 10
he protection OF maritime strength to which itself is
equally adapted The East, in Ike intercourse with the
West arc dy finds aud In the progressive Improvement of
interior communication, by land and water, will and
more find valuable vent for the comnoditeg which brings
from abroad manufactures at home. The West derives
from the East supplies requisite 10 It's growth and comforts
and what perhaps Of still greater consequence must OF
necessity the secure enjoyment Of indispensable outlets
jor lis productions 10 tie weight influence, and the ~
tufe maritime strength OF the atlantic side o. The Union
directed indisSouhe community OF ntcres: ma
lion. Any other tenure by which The West can hold this
essential advantage whether derived from its separate
strength apostate and unnatural connexion with
any foreign power, must he intrinsicaly precarious
While taeu every part OF country thus feels an mne
date and particular in uuon all the combined
fill fnd in the united mass Of means and efforts
greater strength proportonaby greater Sc
cuty from external danger less frequent interruption OF
hei. peacs BY foreign at:ons and wha, of incstmaoc
value they derive from un!on exemption from those
oros and wars between themselves which frequently aic
neghbornr countries not lied together BY me same govern
nen, which their rya!shp alone would be Sufficient TO
produce but which opposite foreign alliances attachments
and inngues, would stimulate and imbit,c- Hence, like
WISE they Will avoid the necessity Of those mill
ary establishments which, nnda any form Of government
iaauspicous liberty and which are 10 be regarded as
particularly hostile republican liberty in this sense II is
at your ought considered main pro? of
liberty ana that love % the ought 70 endsa 70 you
nc preservation O. the Other.
These considerations speak persuasive language 10 every
rejecting and vruous mind and exhibit the continuance OF
the Union primary object OF patriotic desire Is there
doubt wnehe. government can embrace so large
sphere7 Let experience solve It. To listen TO specI
laon in such case were criminal We authorized TO
hope that proper organization OF the whole with the aux
ary agency of for the respective subdivisions
win afford happy the experiment Il Is Well worth
fair and full experiment With such powerful and obvious
motives Union affecting all Of country, while
aYosrlence shall no, have demonstrated praccab,tv