The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-02

OF last session. lhat opinion Is, that those
measures should be regarded in principle af
n final settlement of the dangerous and exciting
subjects which they embrace; that though they
were not free from imperfections, yet, in their
mutual dependence and connexion, they formed
"A system Of compromise the most conciliatory
and best for the entire country that could be OBJ
tanned from conflicting sectional interest and
opinions, and that therefore they should be ad.
hered to, until time and experience should de-
monstrate the necessity of further legislation tC
guard against evasion abuse. Thatopinion 80
far as know, remains entirely unchanged, and
will be acted upon steadily and decisively. The
peace ofthe country requires this; the security o.
the Constitution requires this; and everyconside-
ration of the public good demands this. If the
Administration cannot stand upon the principles
the message il does not xpect to stand at all
TDAsIEL WEBsTER's Letter TO the Union Meeting
at WeStchester.
Prudent men and patriots who contemplate
the impending future of the United States can
not but regard it with solcitude. 1t is easy to
say that the Union is in no peril; that the
American people are strong enough to preserve
their own institutions; that the fanaticism of
Abolition and the fanaticsm of Secession must
yield ultimately to the sober second thought of
returning reason and reviving patriotism
But when we consider that SOUTH CAROLINA
will make the experiment which is to test the
virtue and power Of the Federal Government;
that her own people are nearly unanimous in
the determination to sustain this experiment,
and that there are strong parties in several Of
the Southern States which sympathize with
her Ryoposed movement, and believe In her
constitutional right TO secede at her pleasure;
and when, in addition to all this, we find large
parties in the North still determined TO press
the questions and continue the agitations which
have caused the dsaffection of the slavehold-
ing States and forced them into their present
position. there seem to us dangers in prospect
which might well alarm the boldest statesman;
shoals and breakers, through which the ship
of State is to be guided, that might well task
the skill and courage of the most experienced
helmsman.
Ii was the apprehension of this condition of
affairs, no doubt, that induced President FILL
MORE to lay down with marked emphasis in his
annual message the policy Of his Administration
in regard to the measures of Compromise. He
did not expect that men of extreme opinions in
opposite sections would acquiesce in all these
measures He thought, however, that they
were required by the circumstances and condi-
ton of the country; that they We're neces
sary that they were adopted in spirit of
Cancellation In which large majority Of
the American people sympathize, and that
they would be approved and sustained by
this majority. Therefore ii was he declared
that this series Of measures were by him regard
ed in principle and substance as ''FINAL SET
ELEMENT" of the dangerous and exciting sub
jects which they embraced. In those measures
he found "a firm, distinct and legal ground to
rest upon;p and upon this ground he took his
stand, hoping and believing that the people
would come up to him-that his countrymen
would rally about him; Southern men who had
voted against the admission Of California;
Northern men who had voted against the Flu
gitive Slave law-persuaded ultimately by the
same necessities which had convinced himself
that the maintenance of this ground is the best
if not the only means of restoring peace and
quiet to the country, and of preserving Inviolate
the integrity of the Union.
The President has acted with entire good
faith and undertaking firmness upon the policy
thus distinctly laid down as the platform of the
Administration. He assumed his position
without regard to personal consequences, with
the certainty that he would thereby give offence
to many Of his friends, with no reason TO believe
that he could repair their loss by any accession
from the Opposition. This policy we doubt not
he will continue to act upon, and will stand or fall
by it; yielding not an inch to the claims of Alb
clifton on one SIDE or the menaces of Reyolu-
ton on the other. He has sought TO make ne
forced converts To his own faith. He has pur-
sued the moderate and tranquil course which
best COMFORTS with his personal character and
with the dignity Of his high office. Confident
in the results of his own reflection upon the cir
cumstances and necessities of the country, sat
isfied that he has placed the Administration
upon the right ground, he is determined
at all events, TO maintain that ground
and, as in his annual message, still exhorts ms
fellow-countrymen TO rally round his Admins
tration in support Of the only policy that he be
lieves adequate to the exigencles of the country
So far as his fellow countrymen have heretoior'
responded to this appeal, he regards them a
the friends Of his Administration. SO far a
they have hitherto withheld their confidence, II
consequence of his policy in this regard, h
trusts TO the influences Of time in tempering eX
cited sentiment, in suggesting juster views 0
public questions, and of the difficulties which
s,,r,ound the Covprnment To bring them bac
to the support on WING principles Of WIN
Administration.
In view of the policy thus boldly laid dowr
and thus inhexibly pursued, and of the evil
which must inevitably result if the Abolition
lists and Secessionists should be strong enoug
IN obstruct its enforcement, we confess that
is with as much surprise as regret that we hay
observed in the DEMOCRATIC journals, whIc
pretend TO be friendly to the Union, denunci'