Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-12-02
Mr.. cAss's LETTER
Gentlemen /:

DETROIT, Nov. l4th, 1850.
Gentlemen
cannot be with You at the meet.
ing ofthe friends of the Union, purposed to be
held at Augusta on the 25th inst, for other en-
gagements will deprive me of tina. pleasure.
But my heart will be there, and you have all my
sympathes andmy hopes in the good work YOU
are aboutfo Go. It has been difficult for one, as
tar advanced in years as am whose birth pre-
coded the present Constitution, and whose active
life has passed most happily under it, to believe
it is i'll peril. The belief has come slowly and
and reluctantly, but it has ripened into convic-
ton, and there are measures and purposes, loud
y and zealously advocated North and South,
which will break up this glorious Confederation,
and leave its fragments the sport Of accident, or
the prey of ambition Or violence unless the peo-
pie come 10 the rescue and animated by the
spirit OF their fathers, determine to maintain it.,
as it was established, by just regard of each
to the rights and feelings of ALL Secession, dis
union, dissolution, what ominous words are
these to break upon an American ear! Never
before was SO great a measure of prosperity en-
joyed by any nation upon the face of the Earth
Never before were personal and political liberty,
and equal rights so widely spread and firmly Sc
cured as in this republic, stretching across the
Continent, from ocean to ocean. Never was
our example more necessary or more encourage
ing 10 the people of Europe seeking that long
lost freedom which is now our heritage, and
which has wrought those miracles for human
happiness, and which has made our country the
wonder of the world; though they have failed TO
till our hearts with gratitude to that Providence
which has thus distinguished US with its bless
ings And why should we rashly reject them,
and commit ourselves to the chances of such a
future as we must enter into We're the bonds
once broken which now hold lis together. No
thing but overwhelming necessity would Justify
such sacrifice OF the present and of the future
Let either section of the Union say if such me-
cessity exists. 1t would be vain to seek it, were
not local feeling excited and one portion of the
country arrayed against another, upon questions
touching asub]ect, which is beyond the Con-
stitutional sphere of the General Govern
ment:. The dangerous topics which en-
gagged the attention of Congress at the
last session, We're adjusted, wisely ane.. Justly, as
! believe, and as had hoped satisfactorily.-
They were adjusted, leaving untouched the
rights ct every portlon.of the country and thus
giving no triumph to one section over another
All may approve this system of measures with
out any sacrifice of that sef-respect which is as
dear to communities as individuals. The sue
Constitution, and not of party, local OR poiti-
cal; and hope and trust that ere longit will be
hailed as the last and not the least guarantee of
the perpetuty of our institutions, and of the I'm
ion which secures them.
am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your ob't
serv't, l.. CASS.
VIM. Kinney, L, Wadlell, Jas. Points, B.
Crawford, VIM. Frazier, Esqs.