The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-20
Reply Of Mr.. Webster.

WASHINGTON. June IL, 1850.
GEsrLEMEs: Your friendly and acceptable letter Of
April was received
It is true gentlemen that have made an effort in the
Senate to aay the spirit OF sectional strife, which has
threatened the destruction OF our Union and such ef
forts shall continue to make. earnestly, and with what
ability possess, under deep conviction that that
"spr OF sectional strife" ii not checked will ere long
drive the country into amenable and disastrous cond-
ton. II is exceedingly to be regretted that any part of
the public press in the State in which you reside else
where should discourage and often Does denounce
all attempts at reconciliation and peace, and should
tribute BY ills daily illusions. TO promote ILL WILL resent
men and angry contests between the North and South
That all this done by portion OF the press both North
and South, is but too true. The conductors OF these
presses would seem to have lost all sense OF common
patriotism in those local feelings, in which the Great
Father of his Country afiecdonatey admonished
never to indulge That the conductors OF these presses
Bile extent, doubt not; but while they active and
80 zealousho can tell how far, or how FAST their SEN
tments may spread
II is no longer to be doubted that there are persons
both in the North and in the South, who opposed
the existence OF the present constitution OF the United
States and would gladly brought to end Some
cesi Il under ysy Kin Disguise Neyetheess The great
body OF the people, North and South, firmly attached
to the Union. Their hearts for il and with III and
they will defend il against all open attempts for its
throw This Is my decided opinion The Union there
fore, we may hope, will not be rudey broken up But
this spirit OF sectional strife, il be not eectuay
The government, thwarting and defeating useful egisa:
zion, and increasing and feelings oil discord
and alienation Who does not already the alarming
consequences provoked and produced BY these dissen
sons We are now the seventh month OF the session
OF Congress, and what has been done Even the ordi-
nary annual appropriation bills have not been brought
forward advanced single stage They are at least
four months behind the proper time II has at last be-
come indspensaby necessary il seems 10 me- that men
Of sense and intelligence who are really lovers OF Their
country and its Unon should open their eyes 10 the state
OF things There will bchere must be, il is the
lure OF things that there should be-some shock some
cessation the movement OF the government some dis
reputable eguarty now not far ahead unless the good
OF the country in all lis parts, will themselves
to the performance oil the duties which the exgency de-
mands. M
While so many persons and so many presses in the
North maintain such loud and bitter complaints against
the South, and while many persons and 80 many
presses in the South utter complaints equally loud and
bitter asa9s. The North neither the North nor the South
as could justify n any reasonable mans opinion, the
most distant idea Of dsunion For the most part, these
mutual complaints are general ndeierminae, uttered 10
angry terms, but placed no specific ground In the
speech TO which your letter refers, have mentioned
what think to be real ground OF mutual reciprocal
complaints but beyond al these there kept up gen.
invaded its honor nsulted It's character asaied and its
just participation in political power denied Sagacous
hsa Isl n om ,a s s more s m
purpose Of The separation OF the States, for reasons
ayowed disavowed. for grievances edressed I'M
rtdreesed ihs purpose, De rememDeed 90 not con-
slider pervadng large Masses but OF its existence
among the E1iremiss on both sides. cannot entertain
question.
10 The speech 10 which you REFER was my purpose,
among other things, 10 show that peaceable secession
Of some States from the rest apeaceabe separation OF
them all, was among the most improbable OF imaginable
events that Nature the the CULTS, the lakes, and
the rivers, bound together by ties nearly impossible to
be broken; that could make any plan Of seces.
sion separation satisfactory 10 others and than
ALI that no man could discern anything likely TO arise
to any State from secession separation moi ffaught
with potpalevil OF every description and every degree
And Notwithstanding the influence and the opinions OF
which have Spoken believe that the sentiments OF the
great mass oil southern men concur with my own Ma
ny have contemplated separation probable result
certainly have desired. and do desire il but 80 far
have observed, when The question Is put directly
home TO the people, notwithstanding whatever certain
presses and certain politicians say 10 the contrary the
people oil the South are still Tor the UNION by immense
majones. Wherever there is truly American heart,
the love OF the UNION is enwined in It's nmos ibres.
II is our duty to encourage and applaud this popular
feeling 10 respect II ourselves. and take care that by
no denial OF justice, BY unnecessary discussion Of
citing but abstract questions, by no threat menance 10
interfere NTH wha does moi belong 10 as do not weak
en- that attachment to the Union which Is 80 ndspensa
Bile to the happiness OF all And what is the duty Of the
North, IN this respect, IS equally the duty Of the South