The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-22

10 avail myself OF your polite invitation TO be present
address me proposed meeting Of the citizens Of Bat
and vicinity in favor Of the Union, and OF sustaining tn
constitution and laws passed in pursuance OF IT," il M
public duties did not require my presence here.
need not say 70 you gentlemen maj am ior In
prosperity and happiness such as no other goyernmen
has conferred-a Union that rescued us from ou
hopeless condition under the coniederacy when this rci
country laid for years wreck upon the waters with IL
energies paralyzed, its vast resources dormant and h'
fruits Of The revolution well nigh lost for the want OF al
day. in 6s exercise Of the enlarged patriotism. e
agree upan the constitution, and establish this union be
tween Independent, rival States, destined from their po
ston and character. to become ardent friends united il
peace bitter foes engaged in perpetual strife OF
cessi,yb the constitution was founded in compromise
each sscon yielding something to secure its adoption Al
whole; and the Union under II can only be preserved
BY adhering In that instrument is We cannot CLAIM
enforce its provisions upon others, unless we obey
them ourselves We cannot hold other States to ths
terms Of ibs compact, il we repudale them on our part
Vermont has right to set the laws Of the Unor
at defiance than South Carolina.
II was found necessary by The trainers OF the constitn
tion who were as good and as phanthopic men as We
oi this age can claim to be, 70 enter into stipulation
for the surrender Of fugves from labor. They did moi
leave this 10 implication, hike many of the duties as
snmed upon becoming peoplesuch as the exercise
of national and fratena feelingbu incorporated into
the constitution, in clear and unequvocal terms Thai
instrument expressly declares that person held to ser
vice or labor in one State under the laws thereof escaping
into another, shall in consequence OF any Mw or regua
ton therein be discharged from such service or labor b
service or labor may be due" Although this provision
may be repusve to the feelings of the savehodng
States, and we may wish there was mo slave to flee,
fits Of the Union duty is plain and he is eceant to
the government who refuses to stand by the constitution
The States interested this provision entitled to such
freeman, shall efectualy secure the return of the
slave-a law that will carry the provisions of the
constitution fairly and honestly. and not one devised
to evade, while protesting to enforce II. Let us deal
manfully with sister States; and adhere to the
Union, let live up to the constitution This, believe,
s the true feeling Of the great body Of the people OF our
State. There is no part OF the country where sound
sentiments generally prevail They the friends
of law, and order, and good government do not know
those he right to
fy the constitution and laws under the assumed
lion OF "a higher law Where each man makes his
he will obey there an end Of government, and civil
society is dissolved. No law could be made to which
some ones conscence would not take exception; and
history full OF the religious prosecutions and other
enomes hat have been pepetraed under the pretended
promphngsof conscience. TN
fiji fortunate circumstance that the various ques-
tons growing out OF the subject OF slavery that had long
agtated the public mind dehnitvely disposed OF at
the last session OF Congress settlement was neces-
sary to ahy the growing asperites that were rapidly
alternating different sections OF the Union from each
other and, from the character OF the adjustment we
may reasonably expect that agitation will subside The
admission OF California; the establishment OF govern
ments for other territorial acquisitions, the adjust
ment of the Texan boundary controversy and the aboi
ton OF the traffic in slaves in the District OF Columbia,
leave very little for slavery agitation 10 feed upon for
Congress the power interfere with slavery within the
States where il exists Nothing, indeed, has been found
I, afford any E except ns as
arrest the attention that is not the act but the provision
Of he constitution, that is assaled The fugitive shall
be devced up is the language OF the constitution he
shall be delivered up the language OF the nuer
Although this act is not in all its details precisely wha,
might desire the principal objections that have been
% @ w he
the constitution. IT, upon fair trial, experience shall
prove ha the law in its practical operation endangers the
rights OF the free man, should receive such amendments
as will prevent its peTversion or abuse.
There u.s. then, occasion Tor the continuance oil an
agitation that has resulted and result in subsan-
ta good bond free and we should seek rather to
cherish feelings OF charity fraternity, and mutual respect,
which essential TO preserve as they were TO estab
ish that Union which has secured TO the whole country
and nowhere signay than 10 your fourishiDg city
larger measure OF freedom and prosperity than has
fallen to the ot OF any other people
With great respect have The honor TO be yonr obedien'
To Messrs. r. c. Bailey, J. H. Mcclellan, John Pat
ten, Oliver Moses, James H. Nichols, J. g. Rich.
ardson.
Mr. Choates Letter
Bosros, December Z, 1850.
GENrLEMEs II would afford very great pleasure to
attend the meeting OF the citizens o Bath and vicinity
in favor OF the Union, and OF enforcing the laws passed IN
accordance with the provisions OF the constitution :; bu
my professional engagements make il wholly imprac,i
cable
need not say that rejoice hear that you propose
hold such meeting, and that | hope that the morality,
patriotism and reason of the whole valley OF the Kenne
bee will speak through its proceedings 10 the whole
of Maine and America. The sentiment OF Union ID
among the profoundest and universal in the Amer
lean nature and character but il sumbers until occa
sion il into manifestation and il requires at this
moment TO be called into peculiar activity and intensity
because the Union is put in danger and because the
hemence OF the passions which endanger it'll mean
tona resentment and false phanthropy-req to
be restrained and overmas,ered by still higher tone o
a still nobler emoton--our love of country
II is most fit that Maine should declare herself al such
moment Composing large portion, erritorally. o
our whole New Engand--populous. enterprisng, and
aboundng in all the capacities OF great
and destined and TO share almost beyond any
OF her sisters, in the larger utilities of the Union-n
trusted with the defence OF the flag along i've hundred
miles OF frontier and hundred miles oil seacoas i'm
medately contiguous to the possessions OF of tho
chief powers oil the Old World-ber opinions must bt
sound, and their promugaon grateful and most season
able
have the honor Of being your friend and servant,
RUFUS CH0ATE.
To Messrs b. C. Bailey, and others.
CARD.
ulEDUERsT A HEARD New