The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-16
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
WEDNESDAY MORNING. APRIL 10. 1851.
To chs Public.

had purchased OF Mr. Richie the Washington Union,
and that was become the editor OF this paper one
month afterwards to myself that period OF time
to visit Tennessee and arrange my private affairs, so thai
they should interfere with my residence at Washing
ton. am accordingly at my post but do not enter
upon IFS duties without deep OF the responsibility
devoved upon me, and the fear that may fail TO meet
the expectations OF the generous friends 10 whose coun-
sells yielded in undertaking a task which has been
usually assigned TO men practically familiar with the
management of a newspaper press. Unlike the veteran
whom succeed. have previous acquaintance with
the duties OF an edtono training ny theatre like that
at the capital of the old Commonwealth of Virginia. where
success not only passport to the confidence oil
great State but warrant for the expectations OF party
whose foundations are as broad national Union,
and upon which rest IN considerable degree the vast
interests of our despread republic II is due to Mr.
Richie that should not take leave of him without say.
ing that in his arduous duties at Washington as the
organ OF the democratic party he has justified the
fience previously acquired, and that he ret'res 10
private life with his escutchson not only untarnished,
but marked by such services to ene him to be re-
membered along with the great men, headed by Jener
son and Madison under whose auspices, forty
years ago, he commenced his career.
But although unacquained with the management OF a
newspaper press, am not without some experience in
the public affairs of the country and it is this experience
which the friends OF the democratic party have persuaded
me could now be benefciay employed in the editorial
chair
|, is proper that should declare the leading prin-
ciples which will guide me. This is an obligation due
not less 10 the public than to myself and to be properly
performed, will require more time and reflection than
could be commanded within the few days which nave
elapsed since my arrival here. take this OCCASION now
ever, to say that this paper whilst under my cohfoi'
will become the organ OF any combination OF as
pirng individuals, banded together to promote their own
selfish ambitious purposes nor will 1t ever be the or
gan OF any single individual whose hopes are liked upon
and concentrated in the desire to elevate himself to power
by abandoning or opposing the long established usages
of the ancient and honored and great democratic party OF
this Union OF that party it shall be the organ in that
sense alone which aims at the accomplishment OF truly
national measures by constitutional and just means.
This seems aiso proper place for me to remark that
shall cordially sustain the recent compromise measures
enacted by the constituted authorities OF the land
shall never cease to urge upon my OF every
quarter of the Union that is their Indispensable Duty in
all la gful ways promote the honest observance and
enforcement of these measures and that their desnies
are wrapped up especially in the faithful execution
OF the slave law since nothing less than this
can or ought to satisfy the savehoding States 1t is
fortunate tina, this Compromise the joint work oil both
the great political parties Of the country. and that IT may
therefore be referred TO in all time 10 come monu-
ment OF patriotism which towers above the ordinary
spir, OF party when the safety OF the Union is threat
ened
No political compact between States, however close
the union which FORMS any series of measures
intended 10 obvate difficulties arising out OF the con-
structon OF such compact long endure unless each
party does perfect justice all the II 9th
erwse the condition OF the public sentiment and the
prospects OF the country would be deporable in the
IRENE No free people can or will endure, for any great
length OF time papable violation Of their rights to
their property. Ten years elapsed from the time when
Grenvlle introduced into the British Parliament the first
act vitality affecting the rights OF the American colonsts
until blood shed Lexington but throughout these
ten years the parties became every day and more
es,ranged from each other Former kind feelings and af-
econa,e regards were succeeded by alienation. BY angry
complaints and finally by hatreds which it has required
more than half century 10 eradicate, after peace was
concluded between the parties.
II vast majority OF those deeply interested in the
Compromise are willing. for the sake OF peace 10 abide
BY in perfect good faith and 10 sustain IT, and vast
ma ori,y of those least If at ALL interested in it will not
honestly assist the execution OF its provisions, or will
by acts done both openly and coverty render the part
for the delivery OF fugitive slaves utterly null and use
less for all practical purposes, il requires no prophet to
oresee that the hopes Of every patriot and every friend
TO human freedom must soon be extinguished in the
destruction of constitution and the utter dissolution
OF our Union.
The fugitive slave law which is but the expression oil
constitutional Injunction must be honestly enforced
The constituted national authorities must zee 1t enforced
The true owner OF slave be permitted TO proceed
without harassment 10 produce his proof before the
proper judicial tribunals, and il judgment is rendered
in his favor he be permitted without any modest.
alton TO return TO his own domcil with the property
which has been finally aduiged to belong 10 him under
the constitution and the laws Of the land.
Every calm observer must and feel that the ques.
ton Of slavery must be Withdrawn from the political
arena or that the preservation Of the Union will be-
come an impossibiy. Toaccompsh this sacred object,
shall be my endeavor place before my fell
low citizens such statements and views will be cacu-
lated TO disam those fanatics who imagine that the in
stution OF slavery, though recognised by the federal
compact, can be modified or annulled BY political
| power unknown TO that compact
The constitution, "a administered and expounded by
Washington and the authority OF those great minds which
effected the civil reformation of 1900 phall be