The republic., 1850-12-02

not dreaming of danger, whilst the country has
been pushed to the very verge of civil conv usion
and dsunion II is time they should throw off their
apathy. They must awake to just sense of the
danger which surrounds them, or it will be too
late. They have escaped 80 many penls in times
that have passed that they slow to believe that
they are, as it were, sumbering on a volcano.
| wish l could be present at your meeting, to
speak to the people face to face, and try and rouse
| them to sense of their responsibility. The near
approach Of the session of Congress, and the pres
sure of official business in anticipation of that event.
will. however. prevent my personal attendance
must beg you, therefore, in my behalf, to say 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 course which the people
of Virginia may adopt in the present crisis. If they
give countenanceto the wild and spirit of dis
| union which stalks undisguised through the land
| they will find that they have abandoned what has
justly been termed the palladium Of our liberties
| | may be supposed by some persons to use lam
guage which is stronger than is warranted by the
occasions1 But ASSURE you such is not the fact.
am no alarmist, nor am l given to dependency
But cannot close my eyes to facts which pro-
baby have better opportunities than persons in the
! interior Of knowing. There has been melancholy
change in the feeaings of the people towards the
| Union in the few years which have elapsed since
represented the Augusta district in the House Of
| Representatives. Then we all cherished towards
the Union feeling Of reverence akin to that which
| we feel for mothers Itpartook of the sanotity
| OIL religious sentiment And when John Quincy
Adams-a man venerable for his years, his station,
and his private virtues, dared even in pursuance of
mandate ofhisconstuents to present for the con-
sideration ofhe House of Representatives PROPOSE
ton todissove the Union, it with burst
oiindignaton which was echoed from all parts of the
country; and nothing but his advanced age, and
the assurances which he gave of non urrence in
the prayer of the petition, saved him from the dis
grace OF public censure expulsion from his seat
Little more than seven years have passed away,
and now we 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 Government to widen the breach. And, in
| both branches OF the National Legislature
members are found openly advocating the over
| throw OF the Constitution as il descended to
us from our fathers. Do these things bode no
evil Are these times for the people to for
get that "eternal vigilance is the price of lber
| ty" Let the idea go abroad that Virginia sane
| tons sentiments like these, and our Union is
/
see, is for Virginia to assume her old position of
mediator and pacifcator. Let her speak in Ian
guage that cannot be misunderstood. Let her
| blend kindness With frmness But let no lingey-
| ing doubt remain 10 her loyalty 10 the Union
Nearly twenty years ago the Union in danger.
General Jackson, who was then at the helm of
State, proclaimed that it "must be preserved" As
| soon as he assumed that position, old party lines
were obliterated, and Wings and Democrats with
patriotic zeal rallied to his support. Old Augusta
with all her devotion to Whig principles, pledged
herself In solemn assembly to sustain him. and che
was prepared to redeem the pledge at every hazard
Alter the lapse Of score of years, still greater
and more widespread feeling of disloyalty to the
Confederacy threatens its existence. General
jackson sumbers in bis grave, and at this moment
men are plotting, almost over his ashes the dsrup
tion of that Union TO which his best affections were
so entirely devoted. And in the North and the
South bodies of men forming who are laboring,
without Cessation to cap the foundations on which
il rests.
rejoice, however, TO you, that you have
man at the head of tho Government, not Tess de
uoted 10 the Union than Jackson and not less deter
mined TO use all the pocers rested in him bp the Con-
'tifrf'en 10 maintain a. He justly appreciates his
obligations TO maintain the integrity OF the Const-
cuted. He rriH knoto distinction betrceen The North
and the South, but trH snforce obedience 10 The lars
erery nhere II remains to be seen whether the peo-
pie will sustain him
We have recently seen an illustrious example of
the surrender Of partisan prejudices and feelings
on the altar Of patriotism in the Senate of the
United States. What patriot did not feel a proud
satisfaction when he beheld Clay, and Cass, and
Webster, and Dickinson, and Foote, the champ.
ons and leaders of their respective parcs, forget
ting their ancient feuds and stauding shoulder 10
shoulder doing battle for the Unioni
The names appended to your invitation, enbrao-
ing prominent men Of both political parties, give
me the assurance that kindred feeling of patriot
ism, which rises above all party prompts the move.
ment in Augusta. Let it spread throughout the
State, and the Union is safe. The Nashville Con.
vention now looks 10 Virginia 20 lead of in the
march Of secession. h,}risnd, of The Union look
10 her 10 bear thar STANDARD in the peilous con fici
Let her true sentiments be spoken, and | cannot
doubt on which side she will take her stand. But
'he leaves politicians 10 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 chargeable, not only
with having bartered away her own birthright for
less than mess Of poiiage, but with having made
shipvrcck Of the cause Of liberty throughout the
world
With great respect, have the honor to subscribe
myself your friend and obedient servant,
ALEX. II. II. STUART
Letters were also received from Messrs Chss and
DieKISsoS.
The resolutions Of tho New York meeting were
adopted as a platform.
The President then introduced Mr.. Mcdowell,
h. l,1fv
dross, which was repeatedly interrupted by enthu-
sastio applause from the sudience
After Mr.. Mcdowell sat down. resolutions re.
ported by the ecommittee wereunanirnously adopted.
On motion, the meeting then adjourned.
JAS. CRAWFORD, President.
Jos. A. WADDELL,
+. j. AIRED,
Secretaries.
sUsPictous.-It is stated that three large trunks,
containing clothing, and bank check book, with
the name Of "Yincent" written therein, showing