The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-18


The Charleston Courier Of the i4th instant contains
another letter from the pangen, and eloquent pen OF
James Hamilton Ii presents many just aud appropriate
views OF the tinss but. from the very Circumstance
which be rsfsrs-hs great distance from the scene OF
action-he seems to have magn6ed the immediate dan
ger Of the crisis to which have arrived The fate Of
the Union is clearly the hands Of the North II their
legislatures or their people encourage permit viola
ton OF the fugitive slave lawif New York should be
infatuated enough to pass such law has been
posed by Mr.. Coin Ohio should pass the resolutions
which have been submitted to her legislature, should
feel the necessity OF stringent aud efficient action
ON the part OF the South But the signs brighter than
they appeared 10 General Hamilton. The sbiest poll
iicians and the great body OF the people OF Vermont
appear TO be ashamed of the law which she has
passed. and promise to strike ii from her statute
book We assured that neither New York nor Ohio
will pass the obnoxious measures which have been pro-
posed The shameless coalition which has been organ
lied in between the soiers and por
ton OF the democratic party yielding in all appearance
to the rising and increasing moral force Of the public
sentiment. We are informed that Pennsyvan will even
repeal her laws which she had passed opposition to
the institutions OF the South The signs are, therefore,
more auspcious though ii must be frankly confessed
ina udDRcI 10 chuciy OHuCt "ceS
Stances therefore. do any necessity for Vr
GINA to summon either southern or general conven-
ton
From the Charleston Courier.
LETTER TO HON. LANGDON CHEVES.
RETRIEVE, Oyster Creek. (Texas,) Dec. IS. 1850.
My DEAR SIR On my return from Austin to this place,
my son knowing how highly appreciate everything
coming from yourself, placed in my hands your speech
delivered at the Nashv Convention.
Our friendship has been too long maured and dates too
far back-it has been cemenled by too much generous
sympathy and support on your part in the hour Of msfor
une-by too much personal devotion and attachment on
mine-not to exempt me from the imputaon OF indulg
last very briefly considering and discussing that great
essay the product at once OF your intellectual power and
anxious patriotism.
You will permit to say-and say it with the most
perfect sncerity is the greatest OF all your efforts AS
distinguished as you were in the war-Congess OF ISL
and 1872 you exhiSied even then in the pany days Of
of this essay OF your old age If man can be said 10 be
old who retains physical and moral energy. Whilst
pay your friendship the tribute OF grateful heart
pay TO this exhibition OF your genius my profound hon.
age.
All the risk Of the charge OF egosm in appearing too
often before the public induced to address you from
this spot Of comparative secusion, when many very i'm
porant events may occur at home OF which an igno
rant, aud which might materially modify the opinions
honor ana interests of the gallant and high spirited State
OF which both natives not TO give uterance TO
OF the reflections and feelings your mastery effort
In the first place. let me say it is source of unspeak
able qualification to me tina, infer from your speech
that you are as much opposed TO the separate and soia
ted action of South Carolina in her proposed secession
from the Union at the present moment as am; whilst
am free 10 confess that am equally impressed with
yourself with the indispensable necessity and pre- emit
nent policy OF securing the adhesion, cooperation
and support OF the other southern States. o at least
portion of them, essential preliminary TO effective
action In the effort 10 procure this concert OF action
will A at the South, within
the humble sphere OF my influence. because believe
the salvation Of the South the preservation OF the Unon
and the peace and public liberty OF the whole country,
depend upon il because believe, moreover that if the
spirit Of fanatcsm goes unchecked in the free States
in its insanity and crime and the legislation OF Congress
continues TO progress in the same career OF injustice m
equality, and extravaganza, the Union will end, but
will set in darkness and in blood.
am fully aware my dear sir, that you will think that
produce this confederate harmony on the part OF the
southern States in my late letter to the people OF South
evy which admit little belonged to the gravity Of the
occasion can only say that II. in that good humorsd
ralley, in which there OF miIih than malice,
harmless and certainly uninfuental, | wounded the
feelings OF the humbles man in single State this side
OF Mason Dixons line who is prepared to stand up
for he n Of ni so1a dss 1o,s S Ssnss
prepared to abandon these rights have no apologies to
make
expressed the strongest opposition the separate
ton and OF South Carolina in my letter her
people, because was entirely satisfied that would de-
ea not promote. the cohesion and union of the other
southern States, II there five grains OF common
in the heads OF the President and his cabinet
In the Of the solitary secession OF South Caro-
ina far from coercion, It scarcely admits OF Ques
ton that the government of the United States would
entirely the defensive They would not bo~Torihy
aspire the repue OF discretion enough to conduct
the of parish vestry, if they drew one drop
Of blood south OF Mason Dixon's line except IN
sefdefence II they did, this Union would instantly be
snapped like pack thread. No; they would play u
safer card Than this-we should be left very much 10
ourselves, except that the customs would be collected
outside of bar by formidable naval force, which
South Carolina would have immediate power TO de-
feat fear this state OF things would lead TO
serious diversion OF trade 10 the commercial cities
our neghborhood, and, under unworthy panic, to
extensive emigration from the upper districts OF our
STATE to this and as,onlshingy fertile country II
the posi- ion in which South Carolina would thus be
placed would al produce the assembly OF south
convention, headed by Virginia, should regard
with all its risks as cheapy purchased. But how
stands IT. against their au,he ncaily declared opinions
are not only suspected but known place ourselves
in this peril 10 them 10 TO rescN1 Mr.
WOODWARD a member of Congress from South Caro-
lima gentleman for whom entertain all due respect
declared in letter speech TO his constituents that il
wise policy for South Carolina 10 place herself in this
Carolina ,nio our support" Mr.. Woodward's candor
is certainly commendable The ancents had in their
mythology image OF Wisdom, which represented
with her finger on her ips-Nr Woodward adheres to |
the much more Christian precep oil deceving neither our
friends enemies. Yet, when we have the moral
option OF being silent, should be hard convince that
il is the best policy all occasions TO speak out,
il il be the truth, and nothing but the truth.
But suppose. my good sir. that the other southern