Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-05-10
WAsmINoroN, May s, $50.

SyDESnAM, (SEAR PmLApELPnIA) March 6, 1850.
Ny Dear Sir: Accept my thanks for the copy Of the pam
phle entitled "IHe Union, Past and Future: iior Il
lIoris and Hoir TO Sare it," had before bu
havs failed read your transmission. If proceed
ing from young Vrginan you intimate, il chaac
tcrZrd by unusual maturity of thought and requirements
in matter it is bold, and in manner calm. The whole
hrcahcs conviction in the writer Of The truths h.
is utterug although he carries 10 such height the riches
resources prospects and of the South He has pre-
sencd many facts, existing and historical Certainly all
will command assent in the lights in which he pats
them-ar from it-any more than all his arguments; but
there is force in of them which, in combination with
the spirit and drift Of the whole discusson merits grave
cnon the present epoch in public affairs. This is
the impression its perusa has made upon
Ii may safely be pronounced able production. The
very extremtes of opinion to which the writer goes may
10 mark the portcnious stage which the slavery
ton has reached. have sven 10 follow il up from
position here, from middle ground, and am free 10
that think you of the South the party with whom the
right of complaint rests. Remembering, nevertheless, the
old definition OF anatcism that it begins where ends
unable present TO clearly the road happy and
final settlement ardeny all must desire that consumna
ton have read all the great speeches-Gen. Casss Mr.
Clays Mr. Cahouns, Mr. Webser's, and others-devcred
in both houses since Congress assembled Powerful be
sure they in argument, ard with claims high
eoquence. But did Burkes speeches stop the American
youtionl and they Of gigantic intellectual power
under every vcw-logica statistical historical and with
magnificent eoquencc superaddcd! Lord Chathams in
favor OF different CLASHES elaborate less imbucd
with universal WISDOM less gorgeous hut of prodgious
oraorical crvor and force. What did they all TO-
fore infatuated ministry unable to see though so impress
svely told that the British empire would be rent in twan
And what speeches effect with US when
al end almost ayowedly!
There is now lying my table before extract from
the writings OF Mr. Madison which years ago past
cd the back of portrait of him that hangs in my parlo
Ii was put into my hands by friend Governor Coles
who probably know, Mr.. Alaisons private
rctary while he President and enjoyed Of
his confidence than 1t was my good fortune do though
have priced most highly the portions Of it, public and
personal that fell my lot The extract headed Adyice
to my country" Here arc its words:
"As this advice if it see the light will do until
am no more it may be considered issuing from the
tomb truth alone be respected and the happiness
of alone consulted Ii will be entitled therefore, 10
whatever weight be derived from good Intentions and
from the experience of who has served his country in
various stations through period of forty years. who has
espoused in his youth and adhered through his life the
of its ibcrty and who has borne part in most OF the
great transactions which will constitute epochs in its dest-
n.y. The advice nearest to heart and deepest in my
victions is that UNION STATES be cherished
and perpetuated Let the open be regarded as
Pandora with her box opened and the disguised as
the serpent creeping with his deadly wies into Paradise
This is memorable advice 1t is akin that contained IN
Washington's immortal Farewell Address. Both were in
the convention that formed the constitution both knew the
had experienced the difficulties times almost dishearten-
ing that in the way Of forming it, and both probably
believed that not then adopted by the States the Union oil
the States would be brought about under another
But what fanaticism is advice from these sanched
sources 1t makes light of it, 1t ready be-
come last Pandoras box and the willy serpent With this
the field whose weapons have already effected much
sometimes hardly the fear that have arrived
at the beginning of the end-that end which nations per-
haps well men, oftener 10 through nfatuation
than adequate and unavoidable causes
We live in age of Progress 'Progrcss may be good
or bad Abolition by England followed suddenly By France
on the bursting out OF her revolution in lSiS, s now oe
cve pretty generally agreed To have been OF doubtful Vaue
10 humanity In this field progress does not appear to ye
been advantageous far And in the great political held
which the shocks and conclusions in Europe have been
ing up the reflections in the remarkable pamphlet you nave