Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-16

WIFI ulSSOlullOH, upon question brought
about by annexation and the war;
On each OF these occasions Policy might have d.
reced different course from that he has pursued and if
ne had been master Of what is generally esteemed the
odteSmGns Art he would have waited for the popular
current thrown himself upon its bosom and thus have
avoided that sell mmolaton to which he has been twice
subjected in the last six years.
By his last great effort he has Gained the agitation
OF the wates he has queed the storm he has restored
confidence; encouraged the timid given hope to the
hearted and blasted the designs OF the dsorgani-
GERS both North and South who have fed and lived on
agitation and excitement. But will not be guilty OF
the folly or the extravaganza of claiming for Mr. Clay
thhe has "Saued the Union" for the Union has never
been IN danger The strength of this Union does not
CONSIST alone IN parchment that may be torn vio-
lated altered or destroyed is enshrned in the hearts
OF our countrymen-there is its throne-there is its
srengthere is its detence-and the the shafts of the
lsunonlsts must pierce our hearts before they can
shake the foundation OF liberties and our greatness
The people every where patriotic and loyal to the
Union, tor while they may be there always has been
difference OF opinion as to the powers that NAV be-
egimatey exercised by Congress under the constitn
uon; they cannot seriously apprehend such a wanon
disregard OF that sacred instrument as would Justify
RUPTURE and if improbable event were to happen
there would still be a remedy provided by that COM
pact by which we have all agreed to abide and when
ever the law making power of this government con-
ssting OF the Executive, the Senate, and House Of Re-
personalities, shall concur power that NAV be
constlutlonay exercised and that concurrence shall
on appeal be sustained by the Supreme Court of the
United States, need have fear that the law To-
wing and law abiding descendants of our patriotic an
cesers will not cheerfuly submit though it be attended
WIN disappointment and loss OF power whether North
or South
It IS not in the power of the politicians destroy the
Union, nor seshmen disturb its harmony or its pro-
portions Congress, thank God, has no power to dis
solve the Union that, when done, must be the work of
the people and they have no UiU to do it, Congress
may dissolve ITSELF whenever tt but the question
OF dsnion must come back to the people, who will have
the patience and the wisdom to calculate the horrors of
war Tho chs a,I III
attend the act OF exerminatng the United States"
from the list OF nations and from the map of the world
before they commit crime for which they would be
condemned by all living patriots for which the dead
would rise up in judgment against them for which they
would be visited with the of posterity and for
which God himself would not permit them to 90 un-
punished No, gentlemen there has been no dance,
OF dissolution of the Union. The discussions in Con-
gress have been well calculated beget disatection and
dlstrus and to excite bitter and acrimonious feelings
but that altogether different thing from sacrificing
the Liberties OF our country which must be destroyed by
a dismembernent OF this mighty Empire On both
sides there has been much to condemn, and much I'M
wise and Improbable elimination and recminaon has
been INDUCED, which we may well hope is now nearly
exhausted.
The truth plainly told is simply this. In the South
the Democratic press, and few artul politicians have
Tor years past struggled to make political capital out of
the slavery question operated upon more recently by
some distinguished instigators Of mischief Through
that memorable Southern address of the last winter they
went TO work systematically and rather unscrupuousy
charged the Wing party with being allied with the Abo
tlonss OF the orh Ia charge not less stupid than ILL
ttounded) Smaller politicians now took the cue
large portion Of the Wing press and politicians (timd
as they have ever BEEN apprehensive OF the
quenceS and fearing the denunclatons OF their adversa-
res (Which they should have despsed) soon joined in
the scramble Tor popularity, and at the press and
politicians on both sides-Slate and Federal-seemed
to vie with each other, to which could Guido the
rest in professions of devotion to the institution of
slavery, and loyalty to the South until each and all
have been carried greatly beyond the point contem-
plated at the start Indeed it seems that many are now
afraid to express their attachment to the Union from
apprehension, that they may be suspected OF want of
loyalty to their particular section of the country
For my own part as said years ago in apubIic speech
In your city and have often repeated at home know
OF no South and no North; know OF no Mason's and
Dixons line; dc not know where it is, and wouldS
not thank any gentleman to tel Ime know it is not
to be found IN the constitution OF my country. know
also that am citizen OF Virginia and citizen Of the
United States, owing no more allegiance South Ca
rolna, South Alabama, or South Mississippi, than to
North Pennsylvan North New York, or North Mas
sachusets. L am proud to say that | venerate the
and one people, and that the greatest country and the
greatest people on the face OF the earth.
But to return must say, the South has not played
this game alone precisely the same scenes have been
exhibited in the North, with this difference, that the
Wing party commenced the game of counting the abo-
litioniss and ultra in the free States in which they
were soon Joined by the Democrats, until there in the
South, each party was struggling to make political
capital tor ITSELF and they did not hesitate up the
Union stake over which each section ofthe coun-
try was playing political game OF bluff
vi late, since the question has grown more serious,
the legislative bodies have derived their amen Of dis
cord from Congress- and Congress in turn, has been
spurred on by the action OF the Legislatures, but the
people all have been tranquil and composed 1t is
asking rather too much OF them to sacrifice this Union
to enable Mr.. Somebody in South Carolina, Alabama,
or Virginia, to carry his slaves to California, or to in
crease their value in the market; and equally unwise
would it be, in my judgment in those who would dis
hnotxI pt,1l hat
OF man who would amputate his leg to get rid Of
corn on his toe and what should be thought OF man
who would destroy his country either to Introduce or
prohibit slavery the shores the Pacific! On either
side, would be bad trade, and none but mad-man
would make it.
But the race of the politicians is nearly run, and as
neither party is likely to make any considerable asces
SION to Its ranks he loyalty of each being fully estab
hshed they will come to halt, cool down, acknow-
ledge errors on both sides go work to them
make trends and live together many, many long years
as onepeople, under flag, bidding welcome to our
friends from every cline, and defiance to our enemies
throughout the world
At the risk Of being tedious close this letter with
out taking the liberty, as of your association lin
leeng not by adopton0 OF asking that another emf
nent man from your own region of country, may not
De forgotten at the Festival you propose mean the
distinguished Senator fro Massachusetts whose late
speech on'the absorbing questions OF the day, mark
gu ny SO much good sense good temper, good spirit
patriotism and devotion should entitle
nm to the thanks otevery American Patriot has al
ready produced the most harmonizing effect on the
South, and cannot fail to be productive of an equal
amount OF good, among the moderate and rejecting men
OF the North
Is not provdental that we have such men as Clay
and Webster, with their great moral and intellectual
weight lett among to break the force OF such dsor
ganHing, and revolutionary councils have had
from other prominent men from each section of the
country.
Nor do Imean by selecting Mr. Clay and Mr.. Web
ster for commentator to appropriate to the Wing party
all the credit for crushing this monster spirit OF Dsunon
hold this question be above all party considerations
and can honor patriotism in whatever ranks it may be
found, and at future tme and on all suitable occa-
SONS hope to do full Justice to the efforts OF suehmen
as Cass Dickinson, and though last, not least Foote OF
mississippi whose prompt resistance to the unfortunate
position OF Mr. Calhoun ELECTED the warmest approba
lion from the friends of the Union. On every side we
may congratulate ourselves, however upon the fact
that the timely disclosure, of the much to be
alnented views ,oi Mr. Calhoun Chat the South could
not remain in the Union under the Constitution as isl
has gvin death blow to the Nashville Convention as
think more wicked in its inception; and more mis-
chievous in its consequences than the the tar famed