The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-27


oath instant, and greeted by Mr. JAMES IT,.
BRADY in speech replete with sentiments of
union and harmony, made the following reply,
which we find reported in the New York
Herald:
al am infinitely obliged TO you, fellow citizens,
for thus inviting me to meet 30 large number of
the citizens Of New York, belonging to particu-
lar section or party, espousing no particular asso
ciations, but assembling, and acting, and receiy-
ing me as Americans, in the largest and most COM
prehensive sense of that glorious appellation. IL
has been truly said by Mr.. Brady that there are
subordinate questions. on which different parties
entertain different opinions. Those questions
ought ever to be, and ought ever 10 remain subor-
dinate, because, when rise to the magnitude of
that great question, on the decision of which
country and national character might say
our political existence-depend, there should be
two opinions among men of any party whatever.
[Cheers. Undoubtedly, gentlemen, have been at
tached to partyI have espoused the sentiments of
party, and maintained the doctrines Of party; but
! should be unworthy of the regard have received
in other instances and especially unworthy of this
proof Of your regard if did not hold all party dog
mas and all party principles subordinate and infe-
rior to the great question of the Constitution and
the Government under which we live. And did
not and have not felt, that there any hazard in
coming out boldly, and as FIRMLY as ! could, in
favor Of the measures necessary To the UNFOLDING
of the country, whatever party might receive or
reject them There is no danger in giving ut
terance any where on this continent to the feel
lngs OF the true and patriotic American neart.
No party put down such sentiments. No
party repress those that utter them, be-
cause, throughout the length and breadth of the
land the great predominant feeling after all isand
especially when the public mind is aroused-the
great and predominant feeling Of all is that we
one people; that we are Americans; that we live
under a Constitution the achievement of which cost
so mel hlnDd lch fFnnl anha 40 nrh
effort; and that we determined to maintain IT
to the last. Gentlemen, il is true, as Mr.. Brady
has suggested, that there are those who pretend to
think there has been no danger to the institutions
of the country; that those for Union mcetings,
and the raising of the Union flag, and the repeated
utterance of Union sentiments, were supertiuous;
that it work of supererogation. ] think
quite differently, and sec now, much more clearly
than did on the seventh OF March last, that
the feeling of alienation of one part of the country
from another-this feeling Of hostiiity-his dispo-
siton to in the halls of Congress- sort of bel
Hgerent legislation OF one part OF the country
against another; far more wide spread and far
more deeply seated than then apprchended. lin
tense silence.] And you will find 1t so III the expe
rience of you all. Owing to circumstances, not
necessary to allude to, there had become to be
spirit OF disafection entertained by one portion OF
the country towards another, and alienation OF
brotherly love and kindness, and disposition to
cultivate that feeling. Along the sea coast, gen.
tlemen. and in the large cities, where the sympa-
thies OF men are easily communicated trust this
feeling Is fast subsiding.
al know that the meeting in this city in October
last-the great Union meetng--had prodigious
effect throughout every part of the country with
which AIN acquainted. 1t was the voice of men of
business, men OF patriotism, men engaged IN the
ordinary pursuits OF life, without political aspra-
Gons, without desiring to agitate the community
for their own ends. The voice of that meeting,
therefore, voice calculated to calm the trou-
bled waters; nay, it was voice calculated to call
men back to their duty; to summon mems con-
sciences TO right consideration of the great qucs
ton prevailing in society; and to certain extent,
have no doubt the proceedings of that and other
meetings had large influence In the interior.
But am afraid 80 long has this spirit been in
dulged, 80 acrimonious has 1t become, that in re-
gions where sympathes and feelings, and com
mon sentiments do not spread themselves rapidly
l am afraid that throughout vast portion of the
country the work remains in great measure UNI
accomplished do not know OF any imminent
danger To the Constitution the Union but
speak of the still lingering feeling which be-
heve yet exists, of dislike, not of the Constitu-
ton, but of one portion of the country to the
other-a want of good feeling and brotherly at
lection. think, therefore, that so far from dis
countenancing Union meetings, wish to them
abound; ! wish to hear of them in the interior
IN the large Villages, and in all the vii
lagos, and wherever men assemble together; be-
cause a change has TO be wrought in mems minds
on this subject. They must take this subject and
make it matter Of conscience and of duty, not as
to how far they permit themselves to be driftcd
away from national duty. Gentlemen, the object
of the meeting at Castle Garden, and Of the Union
Safety COMMITTEE, 10 precisely the OBJECT whlCh inc
good of the country requires should be pursued and
prosecuted. That object is stated TO be "o revive
and foster among the whole people of the United
States the spirit in which the Union was formed and
the Constitution framed" w hat that spirit IL
a spirit Of mutual concession-a spirit of com
promise. The Constitution was great political
partnership, into which fathers entered on GER
tain conditions, and the faith Of all pledged to
maintain those conditions inviolnte; and do not
know that any contract in private life be more
sacred or more binding than an engagement which
men enter into with ono another. Scattered over
continent, wherein they pledged TO MAINTAIN SUCH
form Of government as all agreed upon-[applausel
i know of no obligations of conscience resting
on men to fulfil private engagements which do
not rest upon them to fulfil all the stpuatons of the
Constitution ofthc United States without exception,
in full, fair, and just spirit No man-no man Of
honor and character-wil insist on the faithful per-
formance of that part of the contract, the obser-
vance of which may be useful to him. and endcavor
60 escape from another part, which holds him TO
the performance Of certain duties and obligations
Gentlemen, believe we have got over the crisis
far public demonstrations go-so far az re-
quisite laws are necessary to carry the provisions
of the Constitution into efioct bat LET us take care
that we not deceived, and that the public are
not deceived, by cries such as have mentioned.
IL is sometimes said that the compromise measures
passed at the last session of Congress, and espe-
cially the Fugitive Slave BILL adopted an
armistice, as a truce; that parties have only laid
down their arms TO commence the war again. He
is patriot who sends abroad among the people
such ideas rs these. II he IL an intelligent man,
he is not an honest man, because he knows-for
every intelligent man knows-that those who took
upon themselves the risk Of any position which
they may have held, Of supporting and advocating
those measured, intended them final settle
ment Of that question IGreat applause and
cheering.l You know, gentlemen, the precise,
and clear, and emphatic words uttered by the
President of the United States, in his message on
this subject, declaring that he considered this set
element as final; and the President of the United
States, when he has any thing to say, knows how
Go say it 40 that the people can understand IT, And
1 know difference between his opinions In this
respect and the opinions of all who in either branch
of the Legislature in his councils have concurred
in thoso measures, and have acted with him, and
mean 10 act with him, in carrying them all lem
phaticalyl into full effect. Applause and cheers
This Is a subject, gentlemen, on which the mo
raj Of the country ought TO receive tone
and tension There ought to be stern re-
buke, by public opinion of all who would reopen
this agitaung question-who would break this
truce, they call IL, who would arm again and re-
new the war. No, gentlemen, have no belief that
at present in either House OF Congress, any such
movement would receive any respectable support.
believe thatH any person should move IT in either
HOuas off IN no would find bmecf in a