The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-20

Hon. wsa, G. R,yss and shs Uaion.
The letter that will be found below rom Mr.. Rives.
the talented and accomplished representatives OF our
30 lead with deep s and abiding interest," As vii Sc see
was written IN return for copy OF the Register con-
tanning an article which published few weeks since
signed Constitutions, in yindicalion oil the Compromises
measures and parieulary OF the fugitive act which Is
now the prominent subject OF discussion throughout our
country. gentleman OF this city, who, while ia Eu-
with MIR. Rives forwarded TO him the number of the pa
per containing that article thinking that The subject
might interest him, though with the intention OF
bringing Mr. Ryess sentiments the exciting topics OF
the day before the American public But this letter treats
of The entire subject with such slaesmanke ability and
perfect Harness. and wha is valuable FORTS historical
lacts and deductions that the gentleman TO whom was
addressed has felt that he could mol do better service 10
the country than 10 present. It entire 70 the public and
though il was received in the OF private CORES
pondence yet he has taken the responsibility, in the
present crisis to spread il before his fellow citizens
MIR. Riyes formerly represented our country
as Minister 10 France, in the administration oil Gen.
Jackson, and was renominaied to the same post by the
late President Taylor.
PARIS, November IS, 1850.
Mr. DEAR SIR: Accept, pray you, my cordial thanks
for your kindness in sending the New Haven Register
containing the calm and sober appeal addressed IN the
vel needed name trust, OF the CONSTITUTION, 10 your
ieow-ctizens the subject OF the unhappy excitement
which has been kinded in your section OF the Union
against one Of the leading peace measures Of the last SEES
sion Of Congress- have read il with sentiments OF the
iyeliest satisfaction, both personal and patriotic When
see gentlemen in the quiet Of private LIE arousing them
selves in different sections OF our country to the dangers
hood and the sacred obligations OF plighed faith in the
cause OF the Union, can never despair OF its safety
Nothing be truer or usier than what is said as 70
the fundamental character OF the engagement mutually
and solemny contracted by the States, IN the npera.
tive language OF the cOnstGtion for the delivery oil
ugtves from service. Without il, the Union could
have existed and the obligation deliberately
assumed by all the paries without single dissenting
voice. the convention which framed the constitution
Whence, then the clamor now raised against its pract
cal fuhlmeni? The communication which you have
sent TO- shows that the principle, Notwithstanding the
rash declaration TO the contrary made on the oO oil the
Senate Of the United States. at no time novelty
in American legisalion and that lis first formal estab
shment made by the northern States themselves ~
that primitive and model confederacy entered into wl
each other in the year 1913, by the plantations of Mas
sachusetis Plymouth. Connecticut. and New Haven.
deeply imbued they with the spirit OF Christianity
and religious zeal Indeed, il the commoa taW OF
that period OF our early history resting upon the general
principles OF comfy and good neghborhood without the
necessity OF invoking the obligations Of any written
compact This very srkingy shown BY an ancient and
cusory glance at the valuable manuscript collections OF
The Historical Society Of Massachusetts, near two years
ago. and copy Of which was kindly furnished me BY
matter of general historical interest, without the slight
est idea at the time, either on his part ine that it
likely to acquire any practical value from the events OF
AS il comes, however, snguarly enough in illustration
and support OF the historical deduction Of the principle,
ltSelf instructive relic, give
il you Its letter OF Sir William Berkeley, governor
of Virginia. dated the 18th OF June, 164 10 be found in
the first volume OF the Hutchinson Papers, in possession
Of the Massachusetts, Historical Society, in the following
words: 4rgft ,ss
TO the right porsp the gouaor Of Ne~ Engand these
"woRrHY Having we'd inelg and com plain,
from Mr. John Chew tha. CERTAIN o. nus Is
your colony Of New Epgand desire you will please TO
M this s ne Icing b. & q ss% S
ed favor reciPoealy shown upon all occasions either 20
oher which at no time we shall De detective as we ex-
hey are lis servants; Their Waiter Joy VII
lam Woodhead, and Henry King, alias Guy. so,sno,
'''o'ns 7 ~" A'''' 49, WILLIAM BERkELEY
| "virginia, the 18th June, 1874"
This principle coeya with the first establishment OF
free and religious ancestors in the western world and
acknowledged and acted upon as son OF voluntary
family oompaa, springng out OF the relations 81
kindred and neghborly Intercourse among the col
onies, was, alter the era OF our national independ
ence, converted into solemn and binding con.
tract among all the States, and now forms one ot
the chef corner stones OF our present constitutional
fairly and faithfully performed by those who entered into
IT, who still live under the protection oil the Union OF which
il fundamental condition, and who pledged to each
cations
say the question is reduced 10 this for, after the utter
failure OF every attempt TO imPugn the consillutionay
OF law Identical IN principle with that OF 1893, which
has already passed through the ordeal Of repeated l-
dcia decisions apparent that the real objection felt
TO the present law is that il is somewhat better adapted
in its details than It's predecessor to carry into effect the
1 object of the constitutional injunction Has II not in
deed been openly procaimd by the preachers OF this
new crusade hat there is law above the constitution
which absoyes even from the obligations Of solemn
oath taken TO support that Instrument! sacrlegious
perversion such this never, sn persuaded hnd
either opoogsts followers among the true descendants
| OF Puritan ancestry.
Admit that disagreeable and painful circumstances
may sometimes attend the enforcement oil this law or
any other, indeed, which may be made in pursuance OF
this article OF the constitutional compac am not igno-
rant Of nor would | condemn, the senslbiy which Is
painfully affected by these thingsthe obligation OF
fidelity 10 solemn engagement the sanctty OF our oaths
does not the less remain. II seldom happens in this life
that the path OF daiyis sewed all along with flowers.
We must take things the alwse and merciful Author
OF being permits them 10 exist leaving TO His over.
ruling providence, amid the mixed conditions OF human
ty, educe good ot OF evil" Here stands before us,
in the plain, Imperative letter OF the constitution, the
solemn engagement that fugitiyes from service or
labor "shaA be delivered up claim OF the party TO
i whom such service or labor may be due" However
dsagfeeable the occasional performance OF this en-
gagement may be in individual cases, good faith,
gion--a require that engagement thus toemly con.
tracted should be faithfully and siernly fulfilled The
captive Roaan general who was permitted To- accom-
pany the Cartbagenan ambassadors 10 Rome on mis-
sion OF peace upon his PROMISE soemnly given, 10 re-
turn into captivity il the mission should fail did not hes
tate when the contingency occurred 10 90 back and
assume his letters again. though ponh was found TO
absoye him from bis oath ibe same plea that y now
put forward by modern political casuiss, and though
the almost certain consequence OF his stern hdey 10 his
plighted word the cruel death which be afterwards
NJ xUhl ho ~