North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-11-30
LETTER FROM MR.. DALLAS.

The Hon. George NJ. Dallas has addressed the
following letter to The Committee of Arrangements
for the great Union meeting which is to take place at
Philadelphia on Thursday next.
NOVEMBER IA, 1850.
GENrLEMEN: have just received your note, dated
the IIth instant conveying the information that you
have selected me to fill the Office of of the vice
presidents at the Union meeting on Thursday. AL
though much honored by your choice, 1t Will not be
in nv power attend its duties, and must there
fore beg you to substitute some ether gentleman
Having heartily Joined in the popular movement
YOU are directing, in the hope that 1t will be lnstru-
mental in saving the Union and Constitution from
actual and augmenting peril, L throw myself upon
your indulgence while venturing to introduce upon
YOU nv anxions conviction as to the only tone which
can for the great purpose designed, be useuy given
to the proposed meeting. AS we are all acuated by
the same patriotism persuade myself to believe that
you will pardon if you should not approve, my sug-
gestions Of the measures of adjustment adopted by
Congress, only can be affected by tuture leglsa-
ton. The others beyond the reach OF recall or
modification. California is State the boundary OF
Texas is fixed by her own assent; New Mexico ana
Utah have territorial governments upon the usual
principles and forms. These things are done-con-
cusively and unalterably done. No sort OF agitauon
undo them; and the perception OF this Practcal
truth will, feel assured, prevent their conth1ing
subjects of agitation, either seriously or long Not
so with the Fugitive Slave Bill. That has already
been threatened with repeal; that is, therefore, the
point of danger. Now, in the existing condi.ion OF
public feeling, North and South mere generates In
favor of the Union will produce little or no effect.
To speak impressivey, it is absolutely necessary
to be specific; and on topic connected win !le
constitution and the rescue Of the Union, can spech
cation be equally beneficial as on the Fugitive Slave
Bill. Will you, them excuse me for lntlHatlng that,
having exclusively in view the preservation of the
Union and Constitution, the obvious If not the only
direct and effective is to proclaim the Fugitive
Slave Law to be stitutlona just and expedent to
call upon our feow-ctzens to obey 1t as necessa-
ry part the constitutional guaranty which we are
all bound to fulfil in good faith? Nor is this enough
for US of Pennsylvania TO do. More VIII naturally
be expected. We have unguardedly heretofore, lent
hand to impair the true spirit and meaning of the
federal pact by egislating adversely to the con-
sttutional right of pursuing fugltives from lanor.
That legislation has tended to bring into question
our fidelity to the fixed guaranty OF the Union; and
has in some degree, encouraged those who would
cheerfully trample down break through the Con-
stitution and rend the Union if by so doing they
can put an end 10 southern slavery. Are not then
bound when we see the Union in jeopardy, and when
we assemble to do what to save 1t, to invoke
the Legislature its steps, to repeal all the
acts inconsistent with the integrity and harmony OF
the Union and especially TO repeal those laws wnlcn
infct penalties such of our magistracy as shall
aid in sustaining federal faith, and which deny
the use of prisons citizens engaged in execut-
ing the Federal Laws? Can stand absolved
from reproach. it, at this alarming iuncture, and with
ardent professions of patriotism, we pause halfway
in the path ofcandid ncu lcation and fail to do what
have thus hastily and crudely indicated! Really, |
l think not. The counuy-the only country we
have can have-s at stake; and, if we move
all it, let movement be frank, fearless,
and effective.
Renewing my apology for addressing you thus
freely am, sincerely and most respectfully, gentle
49, - ''''' '''N''''' - G. M. DALLAS.
To Josiah Randall, chairman; Charles Ingersoll,
Isaac Hazlehurst, John w. Forney, r. M. Lee,
and John s. Riddle, secretary-Commit