Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-19
LETTER OF MIR. EVANS.
w ~ =

| " ASHINGIoN, DCS 1 l. low.
Messrs b. c. Bailey and others, Com. &c.
GENrLEMEN:-I have to express my very
sincere regret, that it will not be in my power,
oy reason OF official engagements here, to &C
cept the invitation with which you have honor
ed me, to attend public msetDg, on the 10th
INST, OF the citizens of Bath and vIcInl y in
favor OF the Union and of enforcing the laws
passed IN accordance with the provisions OF
| the Constitution
embrace the occasion, however, to declare
my hearty and entire concurrence in the OBJ
Jects OF the proposed meeting, and hope and
trust that much good may result from it.
Ii is iull time indeed, that the friends of the
Union, and of the happy form of Government
under which our country has so emlnently pros
pered, should begin to exert themselves, If
they desire longer to preserve these lnestlma-
Bile blessings.
Very dangerous and alarming doctrines are
broad in the land and one must be wilfully
blind who does not perceive the fatal destiny
to which they are hurrying US.
Until very recent date, the propagators of
these mlschievous sentiments have had the fie d
almost entirely to themselves. But 1t must be
SO no longer, and Irejoice to perceive that the
good sense and sound patriotism of the people
IN all sections of the country is beginning to
speak out loudly and firmly upon these momen-
tons topics.
The law of the last session of Congress res
pectlng fugitive slaves, to which forcibe re-
sIstance has been so openly threatened and in
culcated, has been pronounced by eminent ju-
rsts and the most distinguished lawyers our
country affords, in all respects Constitutional
an opinion in which | entirely concur. As
such, it is as obligatory and as fully to be res
pected and executed as any other law of the
land. Resistance to 1t Is as criminal as resist
ance TO any other law; and he who encourages
resistance, encourages the overthrow OF law, and
the substitution of blind and misguided force,
riot and anarchy.
Depend upon 1t, gentlemen, our Union can
not endure-our form OF Government cannot
endure-our prosperity and happiness as a
people cannot longer continue, II the angry
controversies wnrch have SO estrangec the
Northern and Southern sections OF our coun-
try from each other, are TO break out with re-
newed and fresh bitterness, In consequence OF
the legislation OF the last session OF Congress
The North and the South owe 1t to eacn 9th
| er, and to the cause of human liberty and hu
man happiness III all time 10 come, 10 aoidt
faithfully and honestly by what has beeu done
Bitterness on one side will beget bltternes;
on the other. elimination will produce c0uf
ter recrlmination. Hostile legislation will be
followed by legislation more hostile-and the
inevitable result is written in all past history
for our instruction. Let us be wise enough t,
read it. Let us be- patriotic enough TO observe
lt-and let Us devote ourselves, each IN hI:
sphere, to alay the agItatlons which have st
DISTURBED the harmony OF the countTy,-to In
culcate a regard for the obligations ot law
and TO uphold, 50 that they may last forever
the noble Institutions of Civil Government
which have conferred 50 much distinction ant
happiness upon our country.
am, gentlemen,
very respectfully,
your obi servant,
GEO. EVANS.