Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-21
WESTERN INTERESTS.


LETTER OF THE HON. EDWARD BATES.
The following letter from the Hon. EDWARD
BATES, of Missouri, takes such enlarged and liberal
views of national policy, and SO sensiby deprecates
the sectional animosities which embitter the public
councils and retard the prosperity of our country,
that it should be read and pondered by every citizen
throughout the length and breadth of the land /:
FROM THE REPUBLICAN.
ST.. LOUIS, NOVEMBER g. 1885,
GENTLEMEN short time ago. honored by the recent
Of your invitation to attend meeting to be held in your rno
city, "to take into consideration the action Of Congress in
reference to Western interests" The printed resolution.
mentioned in your letter forwarded with IT, as the
letter imported, and have had an opportunity to see
them till now.
The deep interest which take in the objects Of the Con-
vention makes me regret very much that my professional u
ties deny me the pleasure of being present at the meeting
All that remains to me is to express my hearty
in the principle and opinions declared in the preamble 10 you1
resolutions.
Surely athe time has arrived Il think Il had arrived Ion.
ago) when the increasing population, wealth. and power Of
the Valley of the Mississippi demands the action Of Copprss
protect and advance their great and varied interests And
the time has gone by believe, when the doubts and scru
pies politicians present any serious obstacle
TO the accomplishment Of the great ends proposed No man
title of national statesman will, think any longer DENY
the constitutional power Of Congress do for us all that our
geographical position and physical necessities REQUIRE
No such man w think venture teach the rising gene
ration that they live under Government too mpotent TO
protect the most important interests Of the people, too re-
scted and hampeed by nice constructions Of the Constu
ton to improve and fructy the glorious land we live in
That day is past-gone, hope, forever.
The principle is decided but the great political question
remains, will carry into beneficial action wha. ninety
nine in every hundred of believe be sound policy and
wise expediency We can if we will. Nothing is wanting
but unity Of thought and action Only concentrate the real
sentiment of the Valley; let 1t speak with one voice. and that
voice will be potential in both Houses of Congress We
have not yet numerical majority but that is not necessary
Give but unity and have the strength to carry out our
honest fair reasonable objects The Valley already strong
in actual numbers strong in the vgo and enterprise of ma
tona youth strong il its position, and in the natural con-
formation Of its lands and waters embracing and hemmng in
does both the North and the South strong in its broad
extent and in the ndssouble union Of its parts one
and ndvsble and stronger than all in its growing condi-
ton and in its just and reasonable ancpaons Of future
strength The day is distant when the will of the Mis-
sisspp Valley will be the law Of the land Then prudence
and forbeafance and national spirit will be duty, as
much unity OF action and earnestness in demanding our
rights is now our privilege.
have said that the Valley great il is one and indi-
visible has been contrved and arranged by Him that
made it that is past the power Of man to put its parts
der Passion may suggest transient Of QUARREL and
folly may urge US into aterna contests but still portions
connected, and permanent interests neraced
and identified, that afford to be other than mutual
friends and assistants Here in st. Louis we need the pine
lumber of the upper valleys of New York and Pennsylvania
and the iron Of Psbug and they are brought to us
down the beautiful Ohio past your DOORS need the pei
fries Of the far Western plains and the furs of the Rocky
Mountains and they foated some two thousand
miles down the Missouri and would be serious inerer-
with domestic comfort deny us the privilege of
mingng tables the sugar Louisiana with the cram
berries Of Minnesota.
deprecate as much any the ensng Of sectional
nents Of the naon the good Of the country.
But the West not section is the body of the nation
some 5000 miles in length, and about broad long,
and, in point of population, containing already perhaps
bird of the whole Besides the feelings and passions the
Wesen people, like their interests local and Sec
iona They for the most part immigrants coming from
Every State in The Union, and mixing with every variety of
they off all feelings and prejudces that are
merely local. They love the nation as WHOLE and they
all its parts for they bound to them by the recoec-
ions Of childhood and youth, by blood and friendship, and
all those domestic and social charities which sweeen life
md make this world pleasant.
The interests Of the Western Valley essentially the in
Of the nation, and they be supported with unanmy
those Immediately concerned the National Govern
nen must yield, trust freely and willingly, but must of
necessity, yield to every just and reasonable demand and
hone other ought to be made.
Begging your pardon for the length Of this letter. thank
for the honor of your invitation and remain with the
EDWARD BATES.
To Messrs JoHN Law and others,
Committee Of the citizens Of Evansville, Ia.