The republic., 1850-12-02
Mr. Websfer's Letter.

w ARLINGTON, u u, NOV. rs, looO.
GENTLEMEN: On my arrival in this city last
evening, had the pleasure to receive your COM
muncation of the 7th instant. 1t is refreshing
and encouraging and patriotic letter. Youspeak
the sentiments which become the people of the
great and ancient Commonwealth of Virginia
You speak as Wythe, and Pendleton, and Jeffer-
son. Marshall, and Madison would speak, were
they yet among US. You speak of the Union of
! these States; and what idea can suggest more
lively emotion in the minds of the American peo-
pie, Of present prosperity, past renown, and future
| hopes. Gladly would be with you, gentlemen,
on the proposed occasion, and, of your
| trymen and fellow. citizens, assure you of my
hearty sympathy with you, in the opinions
which you express, and my Interchangeable pur-
pose to cooperate with you and other good
men in upholding the honor of the States and
the Constitution of the Government How happy
should be TO present myself in Virginia, west Of
the Blue Ridge, and there to pledge mutual faith
with the men of Augusta and Rockbridge, Bath,
Allegheny, and Pocahontas. Highland, Pendeton
and Rockin CHAM, that while we live, the insttu-
tions Of wise and patriotic ares shall not want
supporters, and that, SO far may depend us,
the civilized world shall never be shocked by be-
holding such prodigy the voluntary dismem-
berment of this glorious Republic. No, gentlemen,
martyrdom is preferable such sight 1t is better
to die, while the honor of the country
and the flag of the Union still flying over our heads.
than TO live to behold that honor gone forever and
that a~s Pros,-.ts the dust C~ntisue. ] spsal
warmly, because ] feel warmly, and because i
know that speak 10 men whose hearts know are
as warm my own in support of the country and
its Union.
am lately from the North, where have mixed
extensively with of all classes and all parties,
and assure you, gentlemen, through the masses
Of the Northern people, the general feeling and the
great cry is for the Union and for its preservation
There arc, tits true, men to be found. some Of per-
verse purposes, and some Of bewildered imagina
ton, who affect to suppose that some possible but
underlined good would arise from a dissolution Of
the ties which bind these United States together,
but be assured the number OF these men is small.
the eminent leaders Of all parties rebuke them; and
while there prevails a general purpose to maintain
the Union as il is, that purpose embraces, its
just and necessary means, firm resolution Of sup
porting the rights of all the States, precisely as
they stand guaranteed and socurod' by the
Constitution. And you may depend upon il
that every provision in that instrument, in favor Of
the rights of Virginia, and the other Southern States
and every constitutional act of Congress passed to
uphold and enforce those rights, will be upheld and
maintained notonly by the power ofthe law but a-o
by the prevailing influence Of public opinion Acct.
dents may occur to defeat the execution Of law in
particular instance; misguided men may, IL is possi
ble sometimes enable others to elude the claims Of
justice and the rights founded in solemn constitu.
tional compact; but, on the whole, and in the end
the law will be executed and obeyed; the South
will see that hereis principle and patriotism, good
sense and honesty, in the general minds Of the
NOrth. and hat he ms. of f,sn
gent citizens in that quarter. The general disposition
TO ask for justice is not stronger than the dsposi
ton 20 grant II TO others.
Gentlemen, we are brethren we are descendants
Of those who labored together with intense anxiety
for the establishment Of the present Federal Con
sututon; LET me ask you, gentlemen, 10 teach
your young men, into whose hands the power Of
the country must coon fall, 10 go back the cose Of
the revolutionary war, TO contemplate the feeble.
and inoompeeney Of the confederation Of States
then existing; and TO trace the steps by which the
intelligence and patriotism ofthe great men Of that
day led the country to the adoption of the existing
Constitution; teach them TO study tho proceedings
votes and reports ofcommittces IN the old Congress-
especially draw their attention TO the leading part
taken by the Assembly of Virginia from 1888 on.
ward; direct their minds 10 the Convention at An
napos in 7s6; and, by the contemplation and study
Of these events and these efforts. let them see what
mighty thing il was TO establish the Government
under which VIC have now lived 80 prosperously
and 40 gloriously for sixty years But pardon me;
must not write essay make a speech. yir-
ginia. hearted virginia. stand by your coun-
country, stand by the work of your fathers, stand
by the Union Of the States, and may Almighty God
prosper all efforts in the Of liberty, and
in the cause Of that United Government which rem
ders this people the happiest people upon which
the shouel
am, gentlemen, yours truly and faithfully,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
To Mcssrs. VIM Kinney, VIM. Frazier, Benjamin
Crawford, James Points, and L. waddell, EGGS,
Committee.