The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-22
Ftom The Raleigh lN. o. Register.

Mr.. stanIy and the Wings OF Wayne, N. C.
The Hon. EDWARD SrANLY has written the
following eloquent and patriotic letter in reply
to letter of invitation TO a public dinner, ad-
dressed to him some time since by number OF /
the Wings Of Wayne. Mr.. SIS absence from
home has delayed his reply to this late period
WAsHNeroN, BEAUFORT COUNTY,
October 80, 1851.
GENTLEMEN Your very kind letter of the 18th
utimo was not received until few days since.
owing to my absence from home.
The result in this Congressional district, to which
you SO latteringly allude, has, confess, been pro-
ductive Of great satisfaction to me; not merely
because was the successful competitor for seat
in Congress, but account of the "baseless fabri
cations which industriousy circulated"
Incorporating my opinions and public conduct,
but also for the that the people have put the
seal of their condemnation the odious doctrine
of secession.
In the excited state of the public mind, during
the first session of the last Congress, knew the
course felt it my duty to pursue would, if followed,
subject me to much Misrepresentation. But that
course deliberately pursued, for i thought it
better to disregard personal considerations, when
danger was threatening whole country.
venerated our time honored Constitution which had
secured to US the best Government the Giver Of al
Good had ever vouchsafed to man. had from my
earliest youth regarded our Union full of inesti
mable blessings to and to all mankind. That
Constitution and Union thought were in danger.
if not of being overthrown, at least Of being
sailed. My humble hope and effort were to warn
the people of my beloved State, where all my al
fections cling with tenacity that nothing but
death can abate, that there enemies in our
midst, pursuing schemes which, if successful.
would overwbelm with unimaginabe hor-
III
prove my suspicious not groundess. chose
to incur the risk of resisting rather than yielding
to the current, for had an indestructible conf
dence that the people by whom was known would
in the end do justice to my motives and do justice
to themselves. And how nobly have they done SOL
They have made prouder Of our republican in
situations, and strengthened, if possible, our conf
dence in the capacity of man for self-government.
My own Beaufort, glorious old Beaufort, ever faith
full, ever true, how full of encouragement is her
conduct to public men to stand firm and undis-
mayed in the path Of duty, no matter how thick
the clouds and darkness may appear before themi
Had Beaufort alone supported me as she did, SO
we'll known and SO long honored by her as had
been, armed as was with ga peace above all earthly
dignites, quiet conscience" defeat would have
brought no sorrows to me.
Gentlemen, cannot express my grateful sense
of your kind expressions. There are associations
connected with the county of Wayne which che
IRISH with increasing fondness time passes away.
for fathers and grandfathers were friends
many years ago.
Business engagements, important to others as
we'll as to myself, compel me to decline your in
vitation. cannot meet you now, but ardently
hope to be restored to that much desired.
happy independence of private station in which
can enjoy the intercourse of the good citizens of
| g.. r
and cultivate friendly relations with the people of
my native State, for which my affection "grows
with my growth, and strengthens with my
strength"
beg you, gentlemen, TO accept my grateful
Acknowledgements for the kind terms Of your invi-
! tation.
| With great respect, yours, &C.,