The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-20
Letter from nIr. p.Ilss.


The Hon. GEORGE NJ DALLAS has addressed
the following letter 10 the Committee of Ar
engagements for the great Union meeting which
is TO take place at Philadelphia on Thursday
next:
NovEmBER, Il, 1850
GENTLEMEN: | have just received your note,
dated the nth Instant conveying the information
that you have selected me to fill the office of one of
the vice presidents at the Union meeting on Thurs.
day Although much honored by your choice il
will not be in my power to attend to its duties and
must therefore beg you TO substitute some other
gentleman.
Having heartily joined in the popular movement
you are directing, in the hope that it will be nstru
mental in saving the Union and Constitution from
actual and augmenting peril. throw myself upon
your indulgence while venturng to intrude upon
you my anxious conviction AZ to the only tone
which can, for the great purpose designed, be use.
July given to the proposed meeting. As are all
actuated by the same patriotism, persuade myself
to believe that you will pardon if you should not
approve, my suggestions OF the measures of adj
justment adopted by Congress, one only can be af-
iected byiuture Legislation The others are beyond
the reach of recall modification. California is a
state the boundary of Texas is fixed by her own as
ments upon the usual principles and forms. These
things are done-conclusively and unalterably
done. No sort of agitation can undo then and
the perception of this practical truth will feel as
sured prevent their continuing subjects Of agitation
either seriously or long Not 30 with the Fugitive
Slave Bill That has already been threatened with
rcpeal that is, therefore, the point Of danger. Now
in the existing condition of public feeling. North
and South, mere generaities in favor Of the Union
will produce little or no effect To speak impress
sivey, it ia absolutely necessary to be specific;
and on no topic connected with the Constitution
and the rescue of the Union can specification be
equally beneficial the Fugitive Slave Bill
Will you, then, excuse me for intimating that
having exclusively in view the preservation of the
Union and Constitution the obvious if not the only
direct and effective is to proclaim the Flu.
gtive Slave Law to be constitutional, Just, and OK
pedient; to call upon fellow citizens to obey it
as necessary part of the constitutional guaranty
which we all bound to fulfil in good faith? Nor is
this enough for us of Pennsylvania to do. More will
naturally be expected. We have, unguardedy
heretofore lent hand to impair the true spirit and
meaning of the federal compact by legislating ad
versey to the constitutional right of pursuing fug
tives from labor. That Legislation has tended to
bring into question fidelity to the fixed guaran
ty of the Union; and has, in some degree, encour-
aged those who would cheerfully trample down or
break through the Constitution, and rend the Union
if by so doing they can put end to southern sia
very. Are we not then bound, when we sec the
Union in jeopardy, and when assemble to do
what we can to save it, to invoke the legislature to
retrace its steps, to repeal all the inconsis
ent with the integrity and harmony of the Union,
and especially to repeal those laws which intiict
penalties on such of our magistracy shall aid in
sustaining our federal faith, and which deny the
use of our prisons to citizens engaged in executing
| the federal laws? Can We stand absolved from re
proach, if, at this alarming juncture and with ar
dent professions of patriotism, pause half way
in the path Of candid incubation, and fail to do
what have thus hastily and crudely indicated
Really, think not. The country the only coun-
try we have or ever can have-is at stake; and, if
move at all to save it, let our movement be frank
fearless, and effective.
Renewing my apology for addressing you thus
freely, am, sincerely and most respectfully, gen
| tlemen, your most obedient servant
q. M. DALLAS.
To Josiah Randall, chairman; Charles Ingersoll,
Isaac Hazlehurst, John w. Forney, II. nj. Lee,