Democratic banner., 1850-12-09
n The following patriotic letter was re-

II The following patriotic letter wasre-
Gently sent BY Daniel Webster to q great
Union meeting at Manchester.New Hamp-
shire. Many Of the eminent men Of the
Northern States, were present andsddrsss-
ed the meeting. Mr.. Webster continues to
occupy the proud position he assumed in the
beginning of the controversy, and which he
has defended with all the vigor of his great
mind. To him, the friends Of the Union
owe much. He has been pillar Of strength
in the Northern States, by his manful de-
fence of the Constitution and the Union
The abolitionists have been powerfully re-
buked by the scathing powers Of his elo-
quence and logic. The Union was in dam
Iger, and he possessed the independence
and the patriotism to cast his potential in
~luence on the side Of its integrity and op-
position to the mad career of fanaticism,
that threatened its ruin.
Though we may differ with him in many
things, yet true patriotism can but be, adj
mired, wherever i~tappears: .
BosToN, Nov. l6, 1850.
MY DEAR SIR: a Union meeting, with
out distinction to party, holden in the larg-
est town or city in the State, can hardly
fail to be attended with good consequences.
There is evidently, abroad, a spirit of dis
union and disobedience to the laws which
good men ought to meet, and check if they
can. Men are to be found who propose as
their own rule Of conduct, and recommend
the same rule to others, "peaceable resist
ance to the laws" that is to say, they pro-
pose TO resist the laws Of the land 50 far as
they can do so consistently with their own
personal safety. Their obligations to sup
port the constitution 60 for nothing; their
oaths 10 act. if they hold any public trust,
according to law, go for nothing ; it is e.
nough that they do not by forcible resistance
expose themselves to dangers and penalties.
This is, certainly, quite a new strain Of pat
|riotism. We have never before this day
known such sentiments to be circulated,
commented and acted upon by any one who
professed love for their country or respect
for i!s institutions. A still more extrava-
giant notion is sometimes advanced, which
is that individuals may Judge of their rights
and dnties, under the constitution and the
laws, BY some rule which, according to their
idea, is above both the constitution and the
laws.
You and /, sir, and our fellow-citizens of
New Hampshire, have not SO read the books
of authority, either religious or civil. We
do not understand either the institutions Of.
christianity or the institutions of govern
ment. And we may well value more and
more highly, the government which is over
|uS, when we see that the weapons aimed
against its preservation, are also, for the
most part, equally directed against those
great fundamental, moral and politicaltruths
upon which all good government, and the
peace Of society at all times, must essen
TALLY rest. have the fullest belief, sir,
that in the State of New Hampshire, this
|disorganiziDg spirit will meet such q rebuks
as shall put it to flight. The representa-
ton Of the State in Congress generally sup
ported the peace measures of the last ses-
sion, and by these measures I doubt not the
State will stand. 1t is time that discord
and luminosity should cease. tits time that
a better understanding and more friendly
sentiments were received between the north
and the south. And / am sure that all wise
and good men will see the propriety Of for.
bearance from renewing agitation, by at
tempts to repeal the late measures or any Of
them. do not see that they contain un-
constitutional or alarming principles, or that
they forebOde the infiction of wrong or in
jury. When real and actual evil arises, if
it shall arise. the laws ought to be amend
ed or repealed but in the absence o immi.
nent danger, l see no reason at present for
renewed controversy or contention.
My dear sir, the Union will be preserv-
ed, and the laws will be obeyed and execut-
ed. Let us take courage, and that sort of
courage which prompts men to q resolute
3;sehsrge Of the;s I~t;~s. W. ILL ..-.
the Union for our sakes, for the sake of the
country, for the honor of free governments,
and ever for the benefit of those who seem
ready, with ruthless hands, to tear it asund.
Ier. DANIEL WEBSTER.
R. H. AYREs, ESQ. .a 3d." ,,.
Causes of Failure in Businsss.-A writer in