The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1851-05-17
Seward and Jshn van Dursa.v

OOWoS0 oo0 Jean Van WufoD."
Asa matter of history, we publish below
the letter from the first named of these rest
, less aud reckless men, addressed 10 TIL,
Anti. tuyitive Slave Law Convention f" o
Boston John Van Bufen's is too long 70
insertion. Each assumed that the iugi,iv,
slave law is unconstitutional. inexpedieu
aud wicked; and each urges the deude,
fanatics to disregard ito tramble il undc
ioot-and thereby sever this Union. II /,
not our intention to expose, (which woul,
be nm easy task the bcld and reckless as
sertlons, made by these men. They couc
not be true to their vocations Ia
themselves without being false to their
country, and lost to all sense of Justice and
patriotism, They falsely tell their go.
horts y =" there is not The least danger OF a
dissolution OF this Union that they have
nothing to fear--tha, they may 90 on to
agitatc, annoy the South, afford "aid and
comfort to those who are robbing it, di.
rectly, of its peace aud its property. All
this, they have the aubushing impc .tincncc
to say. the South will tamely submit to.
To address an appeal, or warning. to such
men, would be waste Of time and labor.
We have taken up our pen for no su oh pur.
pose. But we know there are patriotic aud
juslceloving people in the non.slave hold.
ing States; we know there are hosts of
right thinking men in all the non. slave hold.
ing States; they are deeply interested in
the prosperity and perpetui,y of this Union.
To such, we address ourselves--to such we
make this appcal--wc hope, before it is too
late. We feel it to be a duty. to say, TO
them in truth, in all sincerity. that this
Union cannot much longer last, unless they
I fight its battles in their mids,--unless they
put down the wicked agitation of the slave.
nv question--unless they see that the lugi.
tive slave law is faithfully executed. Let
that be disregarded. repealed, or essentially
modified. aud the last link that binds the
South to the North, will be broken. The
South has faithfully performed all of its
duties to the North She is calmly watch.
ing the course of events elsewhere She
has had Just cause to complain of the treat.
ment which she has heretofore received.
But, for the sake of the Union and in
spirit of kindness aud patriotism, she has
shown herself willing aud ready to forgive
the injuries she has already received, upon
condition that further aggression shall cease
aud the laws now in existence be faithfully
executed. Let these conditions be violated,
and then the South will be united, But
one voice will be heard. She will not
speak With fofked tongue nor will
she longer "smoke the calumet Again,
friends of the North. we warn you thar the
path that leads to peace aud friendship is a
rlain one, and we hcsecel. you to tread
therein Richmond (val Enquirer,
Dear Sir;-Your letter inviting me to at.
tend a Convention Of tie people Of Massa
chuscl.s opposed to the Fugitive Slave Law,
and to communicate in writing my opinion
on that statute, il | should be unable to at.
tend the Convention, has heen received,
While offering the pressure of duties here
too long deferred, a. M apology for non
attendance, pray you TO assure the Com
miltec IN whose behalf YOU act, OF my pro-
found sense OF their courtesy and kindness
II would be an honor to be invited to ad.
dress tue people of Massachusetts on any
subject. but il might well satisfy generous
ambition to be called upon to speak TO that
great and enlightened Commonwealth, on
a question OF Human Rights and Civil
Liberty.
Iconless. sir, that have earnestly desired
not to minglc in the popular discussions
OF, the last Congress The issue necessari-
ly Involves the claim, of their advocates and
adyersaries in the public councils. to the
confidence of the country. Some ol those
advocates have entered the popular arena.
eliminating those from whom they had DIT
E.reJ. while others have endeavored, by
extraordinary means, either TO control d's.
cussion, or to suppress II asi"s'iher, anu
thus they have shown themselves dIsqna''h
ed by prejudice or interest, for practising
that impattinlitv aud caudor which the oc'
casiou demanded.
| am unwilling even 10 seem to IMPLY by
reiterating Arguments already before Tue
public. either any distrust of the position Of
those with whom stood in Congress, or
impa,ience for tina, favorable popular yer
die, which | believe to be near. ana kno IN
TO be ultimately certain.
Nevertheless, there can be no Improperly
in my declaring. when thus ques'ioheu' 'he
cpnions which will govern my vote npo"
any occasion when the Fugitive Slave law
shall come up for review, ~ the ha,'"h"'
LEGISLATURE. | think the act singuarly I'M
wise beeause it il MI attempt by purely
lederative government To extend Tue ee"''''
my of Slave States. throughout states
which rcpudia,e slavery as Il 'iio7a'' s''''ai