North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-11-06
MR. wEBsTER's LETTER.

The following letter from Daniel Webster to the
great Union Meeting in New York City, was reao
amid loud applause:
"FRAsKLIN, On. H.) October %, 1850.
GENTLEMEN: Nothing in the world out ISgaIu 10.
the state of my health prevents me from accepting
your invitation, and assuring S ou " ~ Wa.
at the "Union Meeting at Castle eraruen On " gu
nesday evening next. I rejoice TO know tnd' suSn
meeting is called rejoice TO kho" 'ld' - WIN ot
attended by thousands OF lnteiilgen. men: loVers o
their country, party men aouo'less' VI.
10 no party and who will not suffer either party cia
NOR or na1tv discipline to dry up within them all the
Tr,oips Of love and attachment to the constitution
of their country. The voice OF such meeting viii
he heard and respected it will rebuke dsobedlenct
the laws actual or threatened it will tend to checl
the nropress of mad fanaticsm; it will call men WHIT
are honest but who have been strangely misled, bacl
to their duty; and it will give countenance and cour
ace to the faithful friends of Union throughout thu
la nd
When the commercial interests of the great me-
tropos of the country Speaks with united hearts and
voices expressing its conviction of the presence o.
the great DANGER and its determined purpose to meet
that danger. to combat with it and overcome IT, the
example is likely to rouse good men everywhere, ;
and when the country shall be reused, the country VIII
be safe.
concur, gentlemen, in all the political principles
contained in the resolutions, copy VI ""on 'IoS
been sent to me- and stand pledged 10 support NOSE
principles publicly and privately, now ana Always 10
the full extent of my influence anu ny Tue eAeluoh
of every faculty which possess. Inc ei"ei'' 'e'i
whom you mention, and win WHOSE ild'iee yo u" .
done me the honor to associate mine, are well worthy
of tho nr,ise which Won beStow on them L shall
never frqet and trust the country Will never Tor
get the patriotism, the manness' the courage mani
tested by them in hour OF dlhcnlty ana OF peril.
The neace measures of the last session are the
Texan boundary act the act for establishing the two
Territorial Governments of New Mexico and Utah.
the act for the abolition of the slave trade IN the DIS
trict of Columbia, and the fugitive slave law. inns
last measure gentlemen, is not sucn measure as
had prepared before left the Senate, and which OF
course should have supported if had remained IN
tho Senate But it received the sanction OF the Two
Houses of Congress and OF the United States. Is
the law of the land and as such IS 10 be Respected
and obeyed by all good citizens. l have heard no
an whose oninion is worth regarding deny its con-
,;tntionaIitv and those who counsel violent resls-
lance to it counsel that which, if ttake place. Is sure
n lead TO boodshed and to the commission OF capital
offences It remains to be seen how far the deuded
and deluders will 90 on this of faction, toy
and crime.
There were honest and we'll meaning mem 'ers OF
CONGRESS who did not their way clear to support
these great and leading measures OF the last session.
You are quite right in saying that the motives OF
these gentlemen ought not 10 be lmpeached. But Inc
measures have been adopted they have become laws,
constitutionally and legally binding upon us all, and
no man is at liberty to oppose them.
No man is liberty to set up or affect to set up'
his own conscience above the law, IN matter
which Respects
lions, civil, social, and political, due to others from
him. Such a pretence saps the foundation of all gov
eminent and is, of itself. perfect absurdity and
while all are bound yield obedience to the laws,
wise and wel-disposed citizens Will torbear from re-
newing past agitation and reminding the flames OF
useless and dangerous controversy.
If we would continue people, we must acquleSce
in the will of the majority. constItutIonay expressed
and he who does not to that means to disturb
the public peace, and do what he to oveltuln the
Government.
Gentlemen, l am led to the adoption of your last
resolution in an especial and emphatic manner by
every dictate of my understanding. and embrace it
with full purpose of heart and mind. Its sentiment
is my sentiment With you, declare that l 6 range
myself under the banner of that party whose prInc-
pies and practice most calculated to uphold the
Constitution and to perpetuae our glorious Union.
Gentlemen, am here to recruit my health, enfeebled
it has been by ten months of excessive labor and
indescribabIe anxiety. The air of these my native
hills renews nv strength and my spirits l feel its
invigorating influence while l am writing these few
lines and shall return shortly to my post to dis
charge it's duties we'll as can and resolved in all
events, that, so far depends upon me, our Union
shall pass through this fiery trial without the smell of
smoke upon its garments.
l am, gentlemen, with very sincere regard,
Your obliged fellow-czen. and obed't serv't.
DANIEL WEBSTER.
To Msssrs. F. S. LArHRoP, GERARD HALLocK, CHAs.
g. CARLETON, P. S. DURYEE, Commetee, New
York;
1t must BE cause of regret among Southern men
generally, without respect to party, that this letter
from the "great expounder'' should have been mar
red by the in which alusion is made in it to
the Fugitive Slave Law. Mr.. Webster says: " This
last measure, gentlemen, is not such measure as
had prepared before left the Senate, and which, of
course, should hare supported if had remained in
the Senate. " Mr.. Webster would, in all probability,
have voted for the present law, if he had remained in
the Senate; but it is known, and he alludes to the
fact, that shortly before he left that body he had laid
upon its table bill of his own on the subject pre-
pared during the month of February, 1850. Thai
bill gaze TO escaped saUes, an many lUords, Trial
by jury in the free States And that is the bill which
Mr. Webster says he would have supported if he had
remained in the Senate. This fact is but another evil
dence of the strength of the antSlavery and agrees
sive feeling of the North.
Mr.. Webster, it seems to US, might have omitted
all ausion to this bill of his and we cannot see that
there was any reason why he should have pursued a
different course.
UNION MEETING AT THE NORTH.
1t is stated that call for Union Meeting, similar
to that held in New York City, is circulating in
Philadelphia. 1t is expected to be held soon, and
will speak in thunder-tones the sentiments of Phi
ladelphans against The fanatics and their accurssd
leaders.
Alarge Union Meeting was also called at Geneva.