The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-03
Union Meeting In Westchsstsr county, New
York.


respectable and enthusiastic audience, notwith-
standing the severity Of the weather and the
rugged state of the roads, assembled on Thurs
day last, at noon, at the village of Tarrytown.
The meeting was organized by the appoint
ment Of Hon. ALBERT LOCKWOOD as Presi-
dent General A. WARD, and several others,
Vice Presidents and GEORGE SHERWOOD,
esq, and others, Secretaries.
| Letters were read by JAMES A. HAMILToE,
chairman of the Committee Of Arrangements,
from several distinguished statesmen, who had
been invited to represent, among whom were
DANIEL WEBSTER, Henry CLAY, DANIEL s.
Dickinson, Governor KEMBLE, WILLIAM
NELSON, WILLIAM PAuLDINc, WILLIAM HEN
ny ANTHoN. JAMES Books, and THEODORE
II. BESEDIcr, sympathzing with the senti-
| ments which had led to the call for the meeting,
and encouraging the people of Westchester to
persevere in efforts in behalf of the Union
The reading of Mr. WEBsrER's letter elicit
ed warm and long continued applause. We
learn from the Journal Of Commerce that
the meeting was addressed by Alessrs. J..
w. ToMPEINs, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, it,,
| j. w. GERARD, and JAMES Il. BRADY. The
speeches were all able arguments and eloquent
appeals in behalf of the Union.
A series of resolutions, similar in spirit to
those Of the Castle Garden meeting, were una
nimously adopted, and, after the appointment
of a numerous Vigilance Committee, the meet
ing adjourned, with nine hearty cheers.
We annex the letter of Mr.. WEBSTER, leav-
ing it-as Mr.. WEBsTER's letters may always
be very well left-to speak for itself.
MR.. wEBsTER's LETTER.
wAsHlxeroN, Jan. q, 1851.
| GENTLEMEN II have to acknowledge the receipt
| of your letter of the 10th of this MONTH inviting
me 70 attend meeting proposed to be holden at
Tarrytown, the 3Oth instant, by the people Of
Westchester county, without any distinction OF
party. who approve of the compromise measures Of
the last session of Congress
My public duties do not allow me TO accept this
invitation, but you need not doubt that cordially
approve the objects and purposes for which the peo
pie Of Westchester propose to assemble.
hope the spirit Of disunion may DO considered
| az now, in some degree, checked; but that 1t has
existed, both at the North and at the South, and
does still exist to dangerous extent, cannot it
seems to me, be denied by any honest man.
In the South, the separation of the States is
openly proposed, discussed, and recommended
| absolutely or conditionally. in legislative halls,
and in conventions called together by the authority
| of law.
In the North, the State governments have not
run into such excess, and the purpose Of ovcrturn
ing the Government shows itself moro clearly in
resolutions agreed to in voluntary assemblies of
dividuas denouncng the laws of the land, and de-
claring fixed intent to disobey them.
| i notice that in one Of these meetings, holden
lately in the very heart Of New England, and said
| to have been very numerously attended, tho mem,
bers unanimously Resolved ''That, as God 10 our
helper, We will not suffer any person charged with
being fugitive from labor to be taken from
among US; and to this resolve pledge our lives.
our fortunes. and our sacred honor
| These persons do not seem to have been aware
that the purpose thus avowed by them is distinctly
reasonable any law of the land be resisted, by
force of arms or force Of numbers, with declared
intent to resist the application of that law, in ali
cases. this is levying war against the Government
within the meaning Of tho Constitution, and is an
of treason drawing after it all the consequences
Of that offence This lie the precise case in which
convictions for treason took place in Pennsylvania
during General Washington's administration /;
and not only does such spirit this manifest it.
self in heated and violent public assemblies, but
1t 10 also defended, encouraged, and commended.
BY considerable portion Of the public press; and,
what is still worse, the pulpit has, in too many in
stances uttered these tones of opposition to the laws
instead Of the voice Of christian meckncss, repcn-
lance, and the fear of God Indeed, occasions have
| happened in which men and women have engaged
in a sort of rivalry contest, to sec whether tn,
laws of society, the institutions of religion and
the authority Of Divine Revelation, could be treated
with the moro contempt.
1t il evident that if this spirit be not checked it
will endanger the Government; fit spread far and
wide it will overthrow the Government
There are ample pledges, gentlemen, that with
ysu and your fellow citizens of Westchester
| no other feeling will be entertained than that
of jealous attachment to the Union and the Con-
stitution, and determination to support both
to the last extremity. Among your committee ]
the of great and illustrious man, equal
y distinguished in the revolutionary and the con.
stitutional period of his country. Alexander Ham.
| iton was one Of the twelve commissioners who met
| at Annapolis, in September 1856, and recommend
ed to the country the establishment OF a Constitu.
ton of Government adequate to the exgencics Of
the Union" Here was the cradle of that form Of
government which has long bound us all together,
| and made us 30 prosperous at homo and so much
respected abroad. Who're TIE blood of Alexander
Hamilton fills the veins or his example and patr-
otto services are remembered, the language of sep
araton, secession, and disunon, will find no utter
ance and purposes Of violent resistance to the laws
no appreciation or tolerance
| Gentlemen, the mortal remains Of another great
man, venerated and loved through the whole
course Of long life, rcpose in the county Of West
| chester; of course mean John Jay. The public
life of this illustrious was almost entirely de-
voted to the of the Union Of the Statcs
the establishment of the Constitution. and the ad
ministratien Of the powers conferred under it. No
man save moro clearly or felt moro deeply the evils
arising from the existence Of States with entire and
distinct soycrcigntics. No man appealed to his
| countrymen against such state Of things with
more earnestness, eloquencc power. He saw the
beginning of spirit very much like that which
exists now; he forctold its dangers, and did 90
much as any man to rescue tho public opinion from
| its pcrnicieus grasp