Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-11-27
MIR. sTUART's LETTER.

WAsHNGroN, Nov. 18th, 1850
Gentlemen Il have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cep OF the invitation which you kind enough 10 send
me- behalf the citizens Of Augusta, to attend the Mass
Meeting which it is proposed 10 hold at SlauntOr, on The
25h instant. rejoice that such meeting has been call
ed and look with much interest 10 the result Of its deber-
atoms In the present condition Of public affairs it is Pc
culay proper that the people should meet tgeher with
out respect TO party IN primary assemblies, to give express
sion 10 the true public sentiment of the country. They
have already delayed too long, and suffered pDcens-
interested in their advancement, and the
Of party maneuvres-than in the welfare of the
Country to speak and 10 ac for them, and TO put gOr
Gus Union in peril. The people have been quietly pursu
ing their ordinary vocaiions not dreaming Of danger whilst
the country has beer pushed the very verge of civil
vuson and dsuniun. Ii is time they should throw off their
apathy. They must awake TO just of the danger
which surrounds them, it will be too late They have
escaped many pers in times that have passed. that they
slow to believe that they are as 1t were sumberng
a volcano
wish could be present at your meeting to speak
to the people face TO face and Try and them to
a of their responsibility. The approach Of the
session of Congress, and the pressure of official business in
anticipation of that event, will however, prevent my per
sona attendance must beg you therefore, in my behalf
osay to the people of Augusta, that verify believe that
the integrity Of the Union, and the peace Of the country
will mainly depend ON the which the people of Vr
gina may adopt in the present crisis. lfthey give
enance The wild and wicked spirit of Dsunon which
stalks undsguised through the land they will find that
they have abandoned what has justly been termed the Pal
adln of liberties may De supposed by some per-
sons language which is stronger than warranted
by the occasion. But you such is the fact
am aarmst, am given to dependency. But |
cannot close my eyes 10 facts, which probably have bet
Ter opportunities than persons in the interior, Of knowing
There has been melancholy change the feelings of the
people towards the Union in the few years which have
apsed since represented the Augusta District in the House
OF representatives. Then we all cherished towards the
Union feeling Of reverence akin to that which feel for
our mothers Ii partOok OF the sanciy OF religious
/ iimen And when John Quincy Adams,-a man yenefa-
BILE for his years. his station and his private virtues dared
in pursuance of The mandate Of his constituents pre-
SENT for The consideration Of the House Of Representatives
proposition TO dissolve the Union it received with
burst OF Indignation which echoed from all parts Of The
county and nothing but his advanced age and the assuran
which he gave Of non in the PRAYER of The
petition saved him from the disgrace of public censlre or
expulsion from his seat. Little more than seven wears
have passed away and now find men in all parts Of the
Union, openly advocating its dissolution Pamphlets are
written and widely disseminated to promote that end
Newspapers have been established at the seat Of Govern
eminent tn widen the breach. And in both branches of
the National Legislature members found openly advo
eating the overthrow of the Constitution as il descended to
us from fathers Do these things bode no ev2 Are
these times for the people 10 forget that eerna vigilance is
the price of liberty? Let the idea 90 abroad that Virginia
sanctions sentiments like these, and CIR Union npe Of
sand! The only safe reliance that oln s for Virgin
ia to assume her old position of mediator and pacicaor-
Let her speak in language that cannot be misunderstood
Let her blend kindness with irmness. BIT let linger-
ing doubt remain as TO her loyalty 10 Tie Union
Near twenty years ago, the Union was In danger Gen
Jackson who was then al the helm Of Sate proclaimed
that it must be preserved" AS he assumed tina,
position, old party lines oberaed and Wings and
Democrats with equal zeal rallied 10 his support Old Au-
gusa, with all her devotion to Wing principles, pledged
herself in solemn assembly, sustain him. and She was
/ Drpna IN rode he at ri
After the lapse of OF years still greater and
more widespread feeling idjsIoyay to the conederaev
threatens its existence General jackson sumbes in his
grave, and al this moment men plotting almost his
ashes, the disruption Of that Union which his best aec
tons were so entirely Devoted And in the North and the
South bodies 81 men forming who are laburing with
out cessation, to sap the foundations which rests
rejoice however To assure you. that YOU have at
the head ct the government mt less der0ted 10 The Union
than Jackson and not less determined 10 use all The pocers
rested in him by The Constitution 10 maintain IT, He usr
ly appreciates his obligations maintain the integrity of
the Constitution. and to that the laws faithfully ex
ecuted He arM kno,c distinction bet,ceen the North
and the Sou bt will enforce obedience 10 The Lucs ere
,chere 1t remains to be seen whether the people will sus
tain him.
We have recently lustrious example Of the sur
render of parzan prudces and feelings on the altar of pa
triosm, in the Senate of The United States What patriot
did not feel proud satisfaction when he beheId CLAW and
Cass, and Webster, and Dickinson and Fuoe the cham
pons and leaders OF their respective parties, forgetting their
ancient tends and standing shoulder 10 shoulder, doing bat
tie for the Union?
The names appended your invitation, embracing prom
inen men of both political parties, give the assurance
that kindred feeling of paroism which rises above all
party, prompts the movement in Augusta Lei it spread
throughout The STATE and the Union is safe The Nash
vile Convention now looks Virginia to lead off in the
march of secession The friends Of The Union Look 10 her
TO bear their standard in The peritous conflict Let her
true sentiments be spoken, and cannot doubt which
side she VIII take her stand But if she leaves politicians
to speak for her. no one can feel assured of her position If
she fail to do her duty now what an awful responsibility
will rest upon her! She will be Justly chargeabe only
with having barered away her own birhrght for less than
of poage, but with having made sh pwreck Of the
cause of liberty throughout the wurId!
With great respect have the honor subscribe myself
your friend and obedent servant,
ALEX. H. II. STUART.