The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1851-03-28
Letter from the Hon. Howell Cobb.
Speaker Of the House Of Representatives.
WAsHINGroN. Feb. II. 1851,

S -. @SsuHSto uhltl tiie close OF tDe session.
II viii therefore be out of my power to be per-
sonaily present at your proposed celebration OF
the I'D OF February, though in spirit aud heart
| shall be with you, prepared to give to the no.
pie cause In which you are engaged, the pledge
oil an honest heart and an untiring spirit.
You are happy in the selection of day pecu-
lially appropriate to the object of your assem-
blage, How could the descendants OF our rev.
olutlonary fathers more aptly exhibit their rev.
erance Tor the memory of the father of his coun.
try, than by dedicating its return TO solemn conn
settings, Tor the preservation and 2erpetuity of
that inestmable Union, purchased by their blood
and transmitted to US as our proudest and rich
est legacy? If the immortal spirit of that ven-
Grated sage, could again put on its mortality and
move in our midst, what could have been more
grateful TO bis feelings than to witness the con-
secration Of his own birth day to Ike cause Of
that noble Union which he hoped might be per-
petual.
Atew months since, and the stoutest hearts
were appalled, with the dangers which threat
ened the integrity of the Republic. question
involving the most dangerous issues which can
ever arise in our country, was rapidly dividing
the people Of the Union into sectional organza.
tions-thus driving the old ship OF State with
fearful velocity upon almost certain destruction
The contest in our own State arising out Of
this question is yet fresh in the recollection of
our people. II was warm and spirited, exhibit
ing the fact that there existed in the public mind
a due appreciation OF The momentous consequent
ces involved in its deeision. | trust that the
lessons of wisdom which it incnlcated will
not soon be forgotten, and that the beneficial
results which the triumph of just and consttu.
tiona principles then prnmised TO the country,
will De fully realized in The future history of the
Republic. Whether or not this just and we'll
founded hope is destined to realization or dis
appointment, is entirely dependent upon the
wisdom and firmness of those who have partici.
pa.ed in bringing about the present prosperous
and happy state of pubic affairs.
The dangers which 30 universally threatened
few years ago the peice and quiet of the coun-
try, involving the very existence Of the Union.
have been avoided andturned aside; but it would
be a criminal blunder 10 suppose that they have
been entirely overcome and destroyed So long
as The casues which brought about these dan.
gers shall continue toeXist so long will the duty
of the watehful sentinel remain 10 De performed
So long as the fendish spirit of fanaticism is
found warning upon the Constitution, and the
dtsunionist is attempting to poison the hearts OF
the people with spirit oe hatred TO the Union
of our fathers, so long will the obligation rest
upon all true friends of the Union to unite their
hands and hearts in defending a common coun.
try from the reasonable assaults of common
enemy.
1t requires only brief reference to the past.
and glance at the future, to satisfy any candid
and intelligent mind, that these elements o. dan
ger are yet in existence TO be met and overcome.
as they may from time 10 time develop them
selves TO the country. A sectional majority had
threatened by the exercise OF disputed power,
to trample upon the constitutional rights of the
minority. The people OF the South declared
that there existed no constitutional power in
this Government to exclude them from the free
and equal participation of the territory acquired
by the blood and treasure of the whole country.
Whilst Northern majority threatened disrc-
gard Of this constitutional right, threat which
they proposed to execute by the passage OF that
odiuus measure, familiarly known to The coun-
try as The Wilmot Proviso-the South also de-
manded the execution of a voluntary obligation
assumed by their Northern brethren, to deliver
to US our fugitive slaves, who might escape, or
be entced into the non-sIaveholding States
This demand had long been neglected, until the
itself was felt, in many portions Of
the country, TO be an numeaning clause in the
Constitution These were the elements of dis
traction which we're so rapidly lnosening the
the bonds that held together our Union. and eve.
ry patriotic heart in the land watched with the
inteusest anxiety the progress Of that long and
aiduous struggle, which was to decide these
momentous issues. That decision was made
the wisdom, intelligence and patriotism OF
the country were found adequate TO the task
which the emergency created. In the series
Of adjustment measures passed at The last ses-
sion OF Congress on the Varit us branches of the
slavery question, is found the record Of a fair
just and honorable settlement of this alarming
question.
1t only now needs TO Be considered final, and
then will grant, that the danger is entirely over
and the Republic is safe.-B But unfortunately
for the future peace and quiet of the country,
this settlement is not regarded in that light by
a large portion Of the people. At the North. a
ciamor has been raised for the repeal of the fu-
gitive slave law, by that restless and fanatical
crew, whose hostility to the South and her in
has rendered the m proverbaly infa-
nous in the estimation of all good citizens. But
the abolitonists do not content themselves with
a demand for the repeal of this part of the COM
promise. They denounee the whole settlement
as base surrender so the demandHof the South,
and in the continued agitation Of the question of
slavery, seek the destruction OF the Union, be-
cause that Union guards and protects the South
by its constitutional provisions, in the undisturb
ed enjoyment of its peculiar institutions. speak
of the opponents of this settlement at the North,
as abolitionists. as do not feel disposed to dis
criminale between the open and avoWed aboli-
tionsts, and that class of mongrel politicians
who sympathize with their reasonable senti-
ments, bnt decline from motives OF policy'to wear
their outward livery.
In the South the spirit Of opposition 10 these
adjustment measures, is equally violent and de-
termined. Il is unnecessary for the purpose of
this investigation, to look beyond the limits Of
our own State. In the canvass of last year is
found abundant evidence of the truth Of the
proposition. The tone Of tile public press, and
the impassioned addresses Of public speakers,
exhibited the fierce and violent opposition ol
portion Of our citizens to the compromise mea-
sures. II all other means were denied to us Of
measuring the extent of their opposition, we
might form some estimate OF It's controlling in
fnence, in view Of the fact that It snneered
their party relationships, and drove the advocates
of resistance 10 an open Reputation both Of their
party and their principles. II requires deep.
rooted feeling and unswerving fixedness of pur-
pose to produce such results.
In the organization of"The Southern Rights