The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-20
Hon. ANDREW STEVENSON,
Georgetown, ID. e.
GEORGETOWN, D. c., April s. 1850.

GEORGETOWN, D. C.. April s, 1850.
GENrLEMES: have The honor TO acknowledge the
receipt OF your letter of the I'd instant IN which You m
form that large number OF the friends OF the South
and of the proposed convention TO be held at Nashville
in June, have fixed upon me as one OF the delegates
from their district and entertain hone that will con-
10 il selected as one Of their
Since the passage OF the resolutions by the legislature
OF Virginia the subject OF the proposed convention,
have been repeatedly applied to- as well by personal and
political friends as others. 10 know whether ! would
would DO So To these applications have given but
one answerttai il would not be in my power serve
Indispensable engagements which could not control
the convention was assemble. must therefore ask
the favor OF you let my situation he known before the
district convention assemblies y May; 80 that there
however believe, that whilst feel very sensbly so
distinguished mark of confidence and favor the part
Of my fellow citizens and the s,nd and s,,ng manner
stances of personal nature place II out OF my power 10
Weld to their wishes.
Thaye already, gentlemen, publicly declared my appro.
baton OF this convention the for H. and the pro-
priety of its assembling at the earliest practicable period
know lis objects have been asled and misunderstood,
and especially in our section Of the State Many have
regarded il intended for purposes OF faction aud disu
mon rather than the means OF safety and offence to the
South regard il las the legislature seems TO have
done) emineny conservative and as the best means
of uniting us preparatory for the defence oil
our rights and properly and giving peace and rcpose to
The country Indeed il the convention be constituted,
as we have every reason 70 believe w De- o. ao,e en-
as to its final action, on the part OF the most devoted
friends TO the Union. We must all be sensible that the
times sadly out OF JOINT and The dangers that threaten
men, or distinguished man our national councils who has
NOT admitted that have reached crisis OF fearful
magnitude involving not only The integrity Of ne Union,
daily agitation oil the subject oil slavery ~ the balls OF
Congress is pregnant with mischief, and II only needs
that those who ere hurried on IN th,s Of religious and
r.,
cal and ambitious feelings, should succeed in their mad
schemes al legislation 10 involve our whole country IN
iEemedable ruin The public mind and the paoc press
OF the country everywhere eyince the magnitude and
danger OF the crisis !,
What is to be the result OF The proceedings now in
progress in the Senate and House oil no
one can venture ~ form an opinion With all the efforts
OF exalted talent, long and tired experience, high moral
courage and devoted patriotism, on The part OF leading
and distinguished men In Congress. we have no s nj 70
calculate with great confidence upon result that would
be satisfactory the two great sections OF the Union,
and calculated restore peace and harmony TO the ooun-
try. However strong our hopes aud WISHES may De, me
result must be regarded more than doubtful Such,
too 10 The opinion OF many OF the leading men N both
houses OF Congress confess, therefore, that indulge
rather my hopes than listen TO myfears
WHAT then. il the South 10 do. IN the time Is
abe 10 st down quietly, and await The result, without
preraration oil any kind either Tor submissions OF resist
ana Is Virginia ready 70, ihiss presume not Al
many of our public dakened and siomed by strong
lassIons and fierce conflicts. Is not the duty OF the
penple TO he prepared Tor the fesn WnaitseI
NAV he Mort Of the southern and south western states.
including Virginia have approved and recommended this
az the best OF security and peace, and
,aken measures 10 insure ts assembling; and none more
strongly and with greater unanmity than Virginia She
seems ia have regarded IL Of the modes conerl-
plated by The ramers OF political system and intended
Tor security against the unconstitutional seton OF ihe
national government In the defence Of the constitution
before the people uniformly defended against Inc
power of uupafon upon ~ ground that the State e-
gsstures would be the vglan seninels upon tDe watch
tower and whenever IL became necessary would be not
only the roce, but the OF the peoples discomfort
None urged this view with force and elognence man
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. In speaking
Of usuYpof,on by the federal government, they said;
Projects OF DO masked under preences
20 likely 70 escape penetration Of select bodies o. men
a. IN the people az large The State ~atures viii have
better means Of information they discover the danger
and the confidence Of the peopr, they az adopt
regnar plan OF opposto n which they can combine III
te ,esonfces nany they regularly com
it each other IN the different States, and unite
ther common forces for the protection Of their common
liberty
And again;
should az unconstitutional OF the federal gov,
he unpopular IN particular States, (Which would
"a 4 40 be the case y means OF opposon 70 are
poveriui and al hand The disqgiesnde OF ths peoDe
and perhaps refusal 70 operate with the
oIiteT III tie Unon the fTowns Of the Stsfs executive
~ created BY legislative devices, whirh
oJ le ofen added on such occasions, would oppose din
cnie. not 10 be dcspised would form in large state sef
Gus aod where the sentiments o. aolon'nk
States happened 10 be Ia unison, would present
which he rational gpve would hardly be willing y