The New York herald., 1850-12-06

Daniel Webster and the virglaians.
The following letter was written by the Hon.
Daniel Webster, in reply to an invitation to attend
a Union meeting at Staunton, Virginia =
wAsHIsorss, D. G, Nov Is, 1850
Gr,TLEMES On my arrival In this city last evening
bad the pleasure to rsceve your comm uo alton OF
the !th i.st It Is refreshing and encouraging and
patriotic letter You speak the sentiments which
become the people Of the great aud ancient Common
and Jefferson, Marshall and Madison would speak we're
they yet You speak Of the Onion Of these
states and what idea car suggest more lively ono
prosperity, past renown. and future hopes. Gladly
would be with you, gentlemen the proposed
zeas assure you OF my hearty Sympathy with you in
the opinions which you express and my unoh
purpose to cooperate with and other good up
holding the honor OF the States and the
OF the government How happy should be to present
myself in virginia, west Of the Blue Ridge, and there
pledge mutual faith with the men Of Augusta and
Rockbrdge Bath Allegheny, and Pocahontes, High
land Pendleton and Rockingham that while We live
tb institutions of wise and patriotic sires shall
no want supporters and that 80 sr as NAV on
us the civilized world shall be shocked by be-
holding such prodigy q, the voluntary dismsmbsr-
ment OF this glorious republic. No. gentlemen, never
never II it sba ts that, political marty rdom Is
preferable to such sight 1t Is better to die while
Of the Union still flying heads than to live to
behold that honor gone forever, and that flag pros
cause feel warmly and because know that speak
to men whoee hearts know are warm ss my own
in support OF the country and its Union
am lately from the North, where have mixed ex-
tensivey with men of all classes and all parties and
assure you, gentlemen, through the masses of the
Northern people the general feeling and the great cry
is for the Union for its preservation There are
it is true to be found of perverse purposes
and some Of bewdered Imagination who affect to sup
pose that some possible but undsfued good would arise
from dissolution Of the ties which bind these nited
States together but be assured the number Of these
men s SIN ALL the eminent leaders Of all parties rebuke
them; and while there prevails general purpose
maintain the Union Is it Is that purpose embraces
its lust and necessary means firm resolution Of sup
porting the rights OF all the States precisely they
stand guaranteed aud secured by the And
you may depend upon that every provision in that
instrument In favor OF the rights of Virginia. and the
other Southern States and every constitutional act Of
Congress passed to uphold and enforce those rights
will be upheld and maintained not only by the power
of the Law, but also by the prevailing influence OF
public opinion. Accidents may occur to defeat the
execution OF law in particular instance; misguided
men may, It is possible, sometimes enable others to
eude the claims Of justice and the rights founded in
solemn constitutional compact but the whole and
South will see that there Is principle and PATRIOTISM
good and honesty in the general minds of the
citizens in that quarter the general disposition te ask
for justice Is not stronger than the disposition to grant
1t to others
Gentlemen, we are brethren! we are descendants Of
those who labored together with intense anxiety for
the Establishment of the present federal constitution
let me ask you gentlemen to teach your young men,
into whose hands the Of the country must
fall to back to the close of the revolutionary war;
to cortem plate the feebensss and incompetency Of
the of States then existing and to
the steps by which the intelligence and patriotism Of
the great of that day led the country the ado
ton Of the existing constitution teach them to study
the proc eedngs votes and reports of committees in
the old Congress- especially draw their attention to
the leading part taken by the Assembly of virgnis
from 1888 onward direct their minds TO the
tion at Annapolis In 1885, and, by the contemplation
and study Of these events and these efforts let them
what mighty thing 1t to establish the govern
ment under which we have now lived so prosperously
and so gloriousy for sixty years. But pardon me;
must not write essay make speech Virginia,
true hearted Virginia stand by your country stand
by the work of fathers stand by the Union OF the
States, and may Almighty God prosper all efforts
In the Of liberty and In the of that united
government which renders this people the happiest
| people upon which the sun shone!
| 1 am. gentlemen, yours truly and faithfully.
| DANIEL WEBSTER.