The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-03

~ THB f3oFLk OF THE UNITED STATES.
FELLOW ciTIzsNs-FELLow.c oUsrRyMss We
address you on behalf and by authority Of one OF
the most numerous meetings Of citizens
| bled in the city of New York by our Fellow citi-
Gems 80 convened we, the undersigned, charged
with the duty OF endcavoring to revive among the
whole people of the United States the spirit which
the Union was formed and the Constitution adopt
ed and to resist every attempt to ALLEVIATE part
OF the country from the rest TO enfeeble the
cred ties which bind together the various parts.
We have thus far attempted to peform this duty
mainly by the publication and wide cir ulation Of
the opinions and views upon public affairs. at this
crisis, OF citizens distinguished not less for their
eminent standing than for patriotism and talents
We shall from time to time continue SO TO do.
We shall not attempt to argue the great ques
tons which for many months together have agi-
tated the country. But we do suppose that after
these questions have been discussed by the repre-
sentatives of the people, in both branches Of Con
gress, during large portion of the longest session
Of those bodies ever held under the Constitution.
and after ths discussion has been at last terminated
by the passage Of a series Of measures designed a.
compromise of conflicting opinions, and after they
have received the appreciation Of the Presdent, aud
thus become laws OF the land there ID eminent pro-
priety in executing these laws in good faith
The law comprchended in the series of measures
before referred to, for the restoration Of fugitives
from service, has been most objected to in the
States where slavery does not exist; while in some
Of the States where slavery still exists, other parts
Of the compromise measures are loudly complained
Of; but, from all the information this committee
have been able to obtain, they have to be.
cve that those southern States Of the Union whose
interests or feelings have been most affected by
these measures, generally determined, with q
patriotism which does them honor to abide by the
compromise, if carried out in good faith, according
to Tie spirit and letter Of The Constellation Of ne
country
The Constitution of the United States embodies
the supreme law Of the land, and euery article and
evey pgOuision Of ought to be carried in good
faith according to it's true intent and meaning.
What we would very respectfully recommend
Is, that fellow citizens in all parts of the
try should cease unnecessarily to agitatc the sub
ect, and bring their minds to think about and con-
template subjects involving their common interest
and common renown, upon which, in the main,
there is no disagreement, or mono of an exciting or
unpleasant character By pursuing this course,
we shall come to regard each other countrymen,
the bond of union between will be enlightened
and we shall rejoice in the prosperity Of each
other.
There many points upon which all citizens
Of this Republic agree, but there is especially
upon which we all delight to dwell-Me character
and fame Of Washington. There ia no child of the
Republic, native or adopted who is not proud to call
him father
The birthday of Washington approaches; let us
unite in celebrating that day; let it be day of uni
versal rejoicing let all call to mind his many vr
tues; let us assemble in every city, every town,
every village, and every hamlet throughout this
vast country, extending from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and hear the Farewell Address of the
Father OF his Country read to assembled citizens.
Let us mediate upon his words of wisdom let us
drink largely from this original fountain of patriot
ism, and we cannot doubt that the effect will be-
not perhaps to make argue more acutely, but
to make feel like Americans and under this feel
ing to repudiate alike all disorganizers-t make
US feel that we are truly one people, and that as
such, united under one government, we held a
trust for ourselves, our posterity, and mankind of
more value than was ever committed to any other
nation. +. S. LATHROP, Chairman.