The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-24
The following are the circulars of the committee,
addressed TO the President and Heads Of Depart

New YoRx, February 8, 1861.
TO The President Of the U.ited States, Wsshington:-
bH:-The Union Safety Committee intend to csle-
brate the approaching 22d OF February, by uniting
with their fsiov-citi1ens st public dinner on that
1t thought that at no previous period Of our his
nave the people OF eur country been mere imps
1,1u,y called on 70 rally around the principles Of
parting words Of counsel and advice.
The influence Of his name and fame may serve to
rekindie the frs that breathed and burned in the
words and deeds Of the founders Of republic, and
tendto renew that spirit Of devotion to the Union
which should animate all hearts throughout the wide
As an important and : becoming auxiliary, in sup
ss; al As s
trate Of our country could spare the time to appear
among thsm on that day.
cordngly beg leave respectfully to ask you to honor
as With your presence ct the sPprosching festival
osrs nsn %s na,s sne non0 TO
Moss T.Slos, Elk. COLLINS, "'
HrsRr GRNsELL, CHAALEsG CARLETON,
Isaac TOWNSEND, JOSHUA J. HESRY,
re WErmoRE, GEoReE DOUGLASS.
New yoRK, February 8, 1851
To the Heads of Department, Washington -
Bir:-Ths Union Safety COMMITTEES intend to cele.
brste the 22d Of February by uniting with their fell
low citizens at public dinner in honor Of that aus
is believed that the present period in our history
forciby admonishes the people Of our country to rally
In support Of the principles OF Washington in admi
ration of his character and In gratitude for his part
Ing lessons of patriotism and wisdom. These recol
lections may serve to animate anew with portion
OF the spirit of revolutionary fathers and make
feel that the value of the prize they fought for
% Who tns o. w
their triumphs secured must preserve and transmit
unimpaired the legacy they bequesthed.
ed the people of these States Is that Of regarding
eur Union as the foundation of our peace and happi
ness and constitution the cement ST that Union
not only in its limitations but in its authorities
II would be the means Of afording great qualification
II the constitutional advisers OF the President would
aid our cause the present occasion OF celebrating
the birthday of the Father of his Country. The
undersigned therefore committee for this purpose
approaching festival are with high consideration
your friends and obedient servants.
Mr.. GRIFFIN then read the letter of the President,
as follows -
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, Feb IT, 1851.
Geptlsmen-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your kind letter, informing me that the
Union Safety Committee intend to unite with their
in celebrating the anniversary Of Wash
ingtons birthday, and inviting me to participate IN
the festivities Many considerations would tempt me
to accept this fstt.ripg invitation did not my Official
duties compel me to decline 1t.
Nothing could be more gratifying than to meet my
old fr ends in your enterprsing city Their uniform
kindness has laid under many obligation. andthe
noble stand which they heve taken in support OF the
laws and tho Union is deserving OF tho highest COM
mendstion
1t appears to me- too that the birthday of Washing
ton is deserving OF every honor which Americans can
bestow upon it. 1t is now more than half century
since the grave closed all that was mortal Of this
ilustrious man but his voice stll speaks from the
tomb His paternal advice still sounds in our ears,
snd his seeing wisdom still warns OF our danger
How truly prophetic Is that paragraph In his Farewell
Addre,s In which he saws
In contem plating the causes which may disturb
Union il matter of serious concern that
any ground should have been furnished for character
izBg parties by geographical determinations North
EN- and Southern-At,sntic and Western; whence de-
signing may endeavor to excite belief that there
real difference Of local interests and views One Of
the expedient of party TO acquire influence within
parti sulsr districts Is, to msrepresent the opinions
and aims Of other districts You cannot shield your
selves too much against the jeaou.es and heartburn
pgs which spring from these misreprese tstons They
tend to render alien to each other those who ought 10
be bound together by fraternsl affection y
Who can doubt that his calm, contempa tive mind
looked down the long vista Of coming years and saw
in the distance that . designing men would
tsnal jeaouies for selfsh objects, which might de-
sroy that Union which he loved 40 well and which he
justy regarded the very palladium Of our liberties
But this iustrious patriot taught quite much by
his example as his preceps He was oessed by nature
with vigorous constitution and wen basnced and
discriminating mind. Not brilliant, but singulsrly
calm and practical. His judgment was never ceuded
by rejudice or disturbed BY passion; With never
falling trust in an everything Providence, he never
doubted that righteous cause must succeed and with
Q self reliance. which nothing could give but disip
tee,ted devotion to his country and firm resolve If
offer himself upon its altar, he proved
himself the prudent brave and victorious general aud
Office but when conferred, he devoted soul and body
TO the perfoI Of it's duties lie shrunk from no
labor sseridce and whenever his services could be
dis pensed with he voluntarily resigned the high trusts
with which he invested, and, without regret
tired TO private LIE. IL truly refreshing TO contem
plate such character, and sake ones thirst from 50
pure a fountain OF patriotism.
But have said more than intended and must close
BY returning my thanks fer your invitation and ex'
pressing tho hope that so far from weakening the
mt sgiations may strengthen the bonds Of MON;
that every sectional Jealousy msy Do dspelled that
every constitutional right may be held sacred and in
via m that glorious Union be eulur-
ing a. the fame Of the immortal Washington.
hav, the honor to Be,
Your friend and fellow citizen,
MILLARD FILLMORE.
The letter was received with tremendous ap-
plause.
Mr. CHARLES OCoSoR being called on by the
thea read the following letter from
Daniel Webster TO the committee, amidst the
most tremendous applause At the close Of one
the whole company rose and cheered
for several minutes
FROM DANIEL WEBSTER.
wasHlssrov. Feb 20, 1851.
Gentlemen 1T i ,ouree Of deep regret to me that
my public dutie. absolutely prohibit me from having
the pleasure Of accepting your in vitston Ia behalf Of
the urirn Safety commtte TO attend public dinner
the Twenty second In honor OF that suspicious day
Auspicious indeed All good inhusncss, all enens Of
Independence liberty free govsrnment tie creation OF
over the hour when tn. eye, OF Washington st PEN
ed 10 tbs light (Applsuse)
You FAY truly gentlemen, that the present moment
adm onisbss TO rally In support OF bis principles 70
sxprsss admiration Of his character, snd our
gratitude for hr parting Lessons OF patriotism and wis
dom.
You ssy truly, gentlemen that the great duty de-
vslvpg on u, ]. that CT regarding the Union as the
foundation Of osr peace and happiness and the con-
stitutien IS TIE cement Of that Unian 80 Washing
ton regarded them 80 he eopjursd BIS rllov.c1-ns.
In all generations 20 regard them and whenev.r hi.
Farewell address % his country shall BE- forgotten, and
Il. adm bitons rejected By the people Of Amsrica
rom that time II III becoms faewel address 70 all
the bright hope, Of human liberty easth Great
Gentlemen the character OF Washington :, among
the most cherished contsm pla;iens q nay life 1t IL
axed star in the armament Of great names shining
without twinklipr obscuration with clear, steady
benehcent light II IL cisted and blended with all
our reflections en those things which are near aud
a. Ar 10 II think Of the dependence OF our
roantry We think Of him whose efforts were 20 promi-
nept In schieNirg H. IL think of the constitution
which IT. NJ. We think ~ bin Wbo did much 70
ssstish H. and whose standardization Of Its powers 10
sch novledged to he a model for his suecessors.
II We think Of glory 10 ths nsld Of wisdom ~ the
abinet Of the purest patriotism Of the highest integ
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