Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-01-23
Letter from Judge Wells to the
Union Meeting.
PORTLAND, Dec. 81, 1850.

ing me to attend n Union meeting held at
Bath on the 10th inst, was not received un.
III after the time for holding the meeting had
elapsed. But upon my return home have
thought 1t my duty to answer your letter, al
though what may say can have but a limits
ed influence upon the public mind.
am free TO declare, that heretofore, |
have had many fears in relation 10 the peace
and quietude of the Union. Not that disun-
ion would mt once, if ever, take place, but
that the power and strength ~of the Union
would be tested by civil war. Perhaps
we ought not to expect to escape these ca
lamllies, which have belallen the most. re-
howned nations ia ancient OF modern tunes.
ihe pathway 10 greatness, with nations, u
not to individuals, is a pathway OF privalon
and suffering. Our fathers suffered mitch TO
attain freedom and 10 establish wise and
good government, and we are enjoying the
rich Legacy they have left us. They bestow-
ed upon US country fitted TO be the theatre
OF every thing great and noble, and surpass-
ing all other lands in the diffusion among ali
classes of the people, oil the common bless
lngs,of life. Every man is at liberty to pur-
sue that employment which best accoIds
with his genius and taste. And what should
he estimated in the highest degree is, that la
hor generally meets with an adequate re-
ward, thai it can be found By those who
seek II, aud that the laborer is protected in
the enjoyment of his earnings. We have
enough 10 feed and clothe our own people,
our ports are open TO the emgrants of The
whole worth, and still we have an abundance
to supply all who come, and when occasion
requires II, TO feed the hungry in other lands.
We have civil, political and religious liberty
IN higher degree of perfection than any
other nation Not that our government is
perfect, Tor there is much 10 learn. But
time will unfold TO US new ideas in relation
to It, and teach US more perfectly our duly.
But as in the Union is our strength, so in
disunion would be our weakness. For il
does not fall within the range of possibility
To escape civil war with all lis dire caam-
tiles, upon separation of the States. And
the consequences wocld be the creation of
severe Iespotisin for the protection of life
and property.
We should rejoice in whatever is done to
prevent collision among the States, and TO
add to their united support and security.
And in my judgment, the men by whose ex-
erlions the compromise measures OF the last
Congress were adopted, are entitled 10 the
deepest gratitude OF The A nerican people,
These measures appeared absolutely neces-
sary 10 alay the then existing excitement OF
the public mind, and calm the agitation
which had prevailed so long with so much
violence. Without them the South would
not have been satisfied that the North in
tended to perform those Obligations imposed
upon il by Ike Constitution. The delivery
of fugitive slaves, designated in The Consi-
tuition by persons teld 10 service or Ii b0r, is
one of the requirements of the Constitution.
We must either abide by thai provision or
annul the compact under which we live
The States winch formed the Constitution,
were pnIItIcAliy independent OF each other,
as much 81 as any uthel lisliuc, comlnuni-
ties. When they cast oft the power of the
crown. they owed M allegiance TO any one
They were under 10 Obligations 10 form the
confederation or to enter into a union OF any
kind. Each colony aud province was SOW
erergn and independent IN itself. They
entered into an alliance retaining such do
mrstIc law, as were not repugunnt 10 ii
They agreed 10 be governed by The Consri-
uulion, which they formed as the supreme
law of the land. IL grew out of mutual
wants, concessions and compromises. And
we are under the most sacred Obligations to
perform our duty IN relation to it in every re-
spect, or else abandon it entirely. We can
not III fairness say we will perform some OF
It's provisions and reject others and if any
Stale claiming Il performance of us, under
takes to secede upon the failure of it, that
we will compel such State by force of arms
tC teurain under the Constitution. We
ought IN common honesty to abide by the
agreement, or consent 10 II peaceabe seces-
sion OF it. No other course can b. lust -
And this must be The alternative. Ii a sep
aration takes place, we shall have no great.
er opportunIiy TO remedy existing evils than
we now possess. Indeed our influence will
Then be less. Nothing then will be perma-
nent but force of arms, 10 settle questions
which could not be adjusted by the most
wisely framed Constitution Shall we ruin
ourselves for evils which we cannot control.
aud which we cannot remedy even by our
ruin? The States which do not hold slaves
have 10 power over slavery where it exists,
eItheras individual States, or through the
general government. They can do nothing
with II eXcepi what they are required 10 do
bv the Constitution.
The laws enacted in pursuance of thar in
sIrnnent are binding upon every member OF
The government. There is no escape from
Their obli2aIlon, unless II consists in revulu-
ton. The laws OF Congress, within the
scope OF Its powers must be oheyed or the
government be overlhrown. And when the
present one is destroyed, where shall we
tihd better! Where shall we find one
that has been productive of so much good
to those who have lived under it, as our
own? The citizens of Maine, surely. have
every inducemenI TO cherish the Union; a
border Stale, her very existence depends up
on its protection. And has single slave
ever been arrested or pursued within its ter
ritory? Such event is of rare occurrence.
and will probably continue to be so, in any
part of New England.
Providence has permitted the existence Of
slavery in every age Of The world. We are
not responsible for lis Introduction into this
country, and must leave lis extinction TO The
not yet very clearly seen. Our co-opera-
ton IN It's removal will hot probably he in
viled until il shall have hati1ed the wisdom
and care of those within whose limits it ex-
lists.
The causes which govern the world lie
hidden from human observation. The
Jews were four hundred and thirty years in
bondage. Was that event a mere accident,
or was ii necessary 10 lay The foundation Of
their greatness, in hard and painful ser
vice? Although the African race may not
equal them in intellectual vigor, il may he
that bv The means of American slavery, AZ
r'ca will yet he civilized. Fited by nature
Tor the climate, taught industry and The arts
OF CIVILIZATION, tn. slaves Of tIls country and
their descendants may eventually rescue that
benIghIed land from The darkness of barbaI-
ism, III which ii has been sunk for so many
ageS. A RenuhlIc of Mlilch nurS Is The