The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-18
Mr.. wALwoRTH's LETTER.

N. D
pARAroeA SPRINGS, Dec 80, 1860
GESrLEMEx-Owing to my absence 1t the West, for
the last two month";: did not receive your favor Of
the 9Th Of November, transmitting the resolutions
adopted BY the ctsens Of New at the great Union
meeting at Castle Garden, until my return home .
the sectional sgitations which for time actually
dsngered the integrity OF the Union, are 30 well known
,Go bv
Ing Of the friends Of the Union alluded to In your
communication. The spirit exhibited ct that meeting
at other similar meetings which have been held else
where, trust will have the effect Of satisying the
the world that glorious and happy Union is st
be preserved as well have the effect Of stiling the
troubled waters Of fraternal discord at home
1t well known to the distinguished individual now
at the head OF the general government, who has long
been my personal, though not my political friend,
Dental election was known urged upon some of the
leading members Of both political parties 10 this State
having the exciting questions which we're then ssi
tating the Union put st rest during the then
Of which .hoaid p.oSs for
the settlement OF the disputed Texan boundary,
and for the organization ofthe territories without the
Wilnot proviso, which known to be 80 extremely
odous and offensive to our brethren of the South.
And during the last session of the present Congress
had the honor to be consulted by several Of those
members Of the Senate who are so justly entitled
the lasting gratituds OF true friend OF the coGn
try sto the measures OF compromise which ought to
be adopted, and which were finally agreed upon l
therefore say, without hesitation that as whole do
most heartily approve of all the compromise lava
passed at the last session OF Congress parts Of
great plan OF pacifcation and mutual concession
though in some OF their details would prefer have
had a few slight notifications which would not have
affected those laws In sub stance But those modii-
caionsI do not deem of sufficient portance to jus.
THY the opening OF any OF the subjects Of controversy
by any attempt to amend. 80 far, then my inhu-
ence as private citizen extends, shall do what
can to discourage and prevent further agitation of the
To- the due execution OF those laws according to
their true spirit and intent. 1t may not be i'm.
class Of potiosn. who believe TIA, powefs not c.s
y and distinctly delegated to the general governm en
or to BY the constitution and which sot
prohibited to the States belong exclusively TO tho
States or to the people. And when the Jack Va
Martin was before the court of which I was taen
member, expressed doubt as to the suthorty Of
slaves Since that time however, the constitutional
right OF Congress to provide by law for carrying into
effect the clau,e of the constitution that subject
has been fully established by the Supreme Court CT
the United States, in case which brought that ques
ton directly before that tribunal for decision; and
every law abiding citizen Is bound to submit TO the
Judgment Of that court as to the tit uonaty OF
Law Of Congress The court In the also
decided that no State had the power to pas, any law
which should conflict with the legislation Of Congress
on the subect or with the constitutional OF the
master to reclaim his fugitive slave wherever he should
be found.
There is no constitutional question arising under
the recent act Of Congress relative to fugitive
slaves, which did not also arise under the act Of
February, l7oS; which law the Supreme Court OF
the United States dssarsd 10 be constitutional and
valid No good citizen, therefore. will consider him
self suhsrzed TO resist evade the execution Of Law
thus passed. and no member OF state
Legislature who has taken the oath to support the
constitution Of the United states all required
TO DO car without incurriug the moral guilt OF per-
jury vote for Law which he knows believes to 10
In conflict with the provsions Of that constitution
atveto fugitive slaves In conflict with the laws on
that subject utionally parsed by Congress- And
there Is no law and principle TO be fouad In the
higher and kolier code OF Heaven which either re-
support the oonsttu,isn Of the United states sssu
ct the time he utters that solemn In the Of the
omniscient he has no intention Of performing it.
am no friend Of slavery. On the contrary, | have
frequently expressed the opinion that the existence Of
slavery among us Is social ss well political evil
~ sa 81. Of @
strancee Of the people Of the colonies.
But II is an evil which the philanthropist and ths
Christian at the South frequently finds t impossible
to remove immediately without prod ucing other evil,
which would be still greater.
lett entirely free to choose their own times and adopt
their ewn modes Of Riding Themselves Of the evil by
: gradual system Of emancipation the only prsc-
ucabe mode OF abolshing slavery where IL exists 20
any considerabls extent without producing greater
injury than benefit even to the slaves themselves.
But even II immediate emanc patton weuld be pro-
dHctiye OF nothing but unminged good still the zht
TO reclaim their fugitves frem service Is which Ia
recured to our Southern brethren by that constitution
which has been the caure, under the protection OF
Heaven OF nnumerable blessings to the people OF the
North a. well as to those OF the West and south
NO good citizen, then, whose civil aud rei yious
privileges secured to him by the mt
and BY our happy Union which has already elevated
allow himself either BY force or fraud 10 pullfy ths
laws q the land or to destroy the rights secured TO
bis fellow citizens Of the south by the constitution Of
Nor should any one who loves the name and reveres
the memory of the Father Of His Country, attempt
to slienate any portion Of couatry IRON the rect
by further sgitston either in or out OF Congress Of
the exciting questions happily settled By the
legislation Of the last session.
i am, Gentlemen, with respect Yours &c,
Messrs. George Wood and others, Committee, &c.