The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1851-01-31
Letter Of the Hon. TheO. Freling-
huVSen.

nuySen.
To the Union Safety Committee Of Mo YORK,
read at meeting Of that Couars'ftee on The
23d instant.
New BRUNswrcK, DEC II 1850.
Gentlemen: have duly received your esteem
ed favor OF the 9th of November last, enclosing
the resolutions adopted. and The proceedings had,
at meeting of tie citizens of the city of New
York, held at Castle Garden October 80 1850,
known and leng to be remembered as the Union
meeting. 1t was fit occasion for the city of
of New York to speak out her sentiments. Her
commercial Importance, her wide--reaching
influence, and the relations which she holds to
the Union, all seemed to cali for clear and full
expression of her views on the existing topics
that now cause so much anxiety. And it is
matter Of great satisfaction that she has in the
resolutions adopted spoken in unmistakeable
terms Of unbroken attachmenttothe Constitution,
and her infexible determination to carry out its
provisions.
Many just and law-loving men mistake. |
fear, the true question. Ii is not whether sla-
very is an evil that should be abolished. There
would be very general concurrence of opinion.
Our dnty, as citizens OF the United States, is
far more serious than is implied by any abstract
proposition. Duty is so often complicated with
relations and circumstances, that it requires de-
liberation, and great consideration, and calm
Judgment to ascertain it. Such appears to be
the character ofthe slavery question. We can
not settle its claims by the mere fayors OF excl
ted sympathy, and we shall certainty come far
short of il by anger and acrimonious denunci-
alton.
When the fathers of the Constitution APP
preached the subject Of a United government,
then found the thirteen States, OF distinct and
independent sovereignty, exercising their sover-
eign rights over all matters Of State concern,
and among these, with tenacious authority, that
of domestic slavery, then existing in several of
the States now free-as New Jersey New York,
and Connecticut; and they formed the Union on
the basis of leaving to the States severally,
and undisturbed by the new and Federal Gov
ernment; this and all merely domestic subjects.
They agreed that each State should, for itself
and by itself, regulate and control the existing
institutions of slavery ltis well TO inquire how
they could have more wisely disposed of it than
to leave il with the States? Would New York
or New Jersey have consented, then or since.
that any othe. State Of the United States should
interfere with their action in this or any other in
teTnal concern? SO the trainers Of Jhr CvIIsti-
tuition reasoned. and excluded from the National
Government all authority over the matter. They
believed that the true interests of the slave
would be best consulted by such course; and
they concluded TO hope for the lights Of time, of
Christian principles, and enlightened conscience
to accomplish, by gradual and healthful inhu-
ence. all that sound morals might ordain or phi
lanthropy desire. And now shall-we, who are
reaping the rich fruits Of their compact. raise
the cry of violence, and rupture The bonds OF a
Union formed by such rare combination os wis
dom and patriotism, and oVerhowing with bles-
sings to ourselves and to our whole races
trust not. Let sober thought pause on the cri-
sis. and far rather wait for the power Of kind
counsels. for the openings of Providence. and
the progress Of truth. Wait long, wait always,
rather than, bv misguided feelings and rash
measures, break this great Confederacy into
miserable fragments, discordant and dshonored
-smartinQ under wrongs aggravated by hard
words and odious criminations--no longer 5ro-
theirs in peace, but filed with contentious, like
the bars OF castle
The clause of The Constitution requiring that
fugtiyes from service or labor should not be dis
charged from such service or labor by any law
or regulation os the State to which they have
escaped. but should be delivered up on claim 0:
| The nartv 10 whom such service may be due.
| Is no more than an honest lalilment Of the com
pact which agreed to leave all such questions
with the States For how utterly vain would be
The jurisdiction and power, il iugitives might
find 4 safe retreat by crossing State line. Our
national bond, by many Of us often sworn to,
require Of MS to send back the fugitive 10 bis
master. Will an opposite course, while It may