Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-05-01
WHOLE NO. lO77

stanch, able, and widely influential Jour.
nal, the following eloquent and truly
patriotic Litter from the Hon. Benia-
min q. Shields, TO Committee by
whom that gentleman had been invited
TO address great Union meeting held
in the city Of Mobile on the 18th inst.
Ii is indeed most delightful and cheer
ing, amidst the wild hurricane of folly,
lanaticism, and madness, that has been
SO ieariuIly raging and sweeping over
certain portions OF this glorious repub-
lie, to read such just, noble, and soul
invigorating sentiments as breath
throughout and in every line o. this man
y and statesman like letter,
NOBLE. April 18th. ISL.
Gentlemen: have to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication Of
this days date, inviting me, in behalf
of the friends OF the Union in Mobile
to address "A meeting ito be holden at
the Ahambra, this evening withou, dis.
| iinclion OF party" and maniiestng your
]
and consistent" with my arrangements
10 crafty my friends in Mobile in this
rc.i cct.
II would not suffice, gentlemen. that
should confne myself in this note to an
expression Of the high estimate placed
| upon this manifestation OF respect and
esteem OF the part of those in whose
behalf you invitation has been rendered
aud Of the very deep regret felt al my
inability on account Of an imperious
necessity TO leave the city earl Y this
evening, TO comply with their wishes
To such expressItl, must add that Of
my cordial approval of the objects oi
your meeting. Opposition to the doc.
trine OF secession, either in the abstract
or tie concrete, is enloined by the con-
stltution, by reason and common sense /;
acquiescence in the late peace meas
urcs Of Congrc, s is the duty of all friends
and supporters OF law and order. and
especially the interest of the people of
the south and wakeful, prcscy ering
counteract OF the efforts Of the press
and OF factions organizations, 70 SOW the
seeds OF dieunion, and TO difluse error
and engendsr prejudice against a poiti-
cal system under "hca we eIoy a de-
gree of security and prosperity utterly
tnattanable under any other, is plainly
incumbent on all parties and individu-
ais but, unfortunately, often omitted
and dIsregarded in the action Of both.
The cause of the Union 10, indeed,
the cause Of the south. Within tic
Union, the south will ever be stronger
to resist dangers 10 her institutions, than
without. Within The Union her people
will be less burdcned by taxation, ltss
exposed to the hostility OF foreign pow
ers less liable 10 collision with border
States more respected and honored IL
mongst The naliono # the earth, and by
all friends Of human liberty throughout
the world. feel and believe what |
say. To support the Union is TO sup
port the South, 10 make her stronger,
richer. more prosperous, and the bet
ter TO iorlily her against all manner Of
attack from within aud from without.
The Abolition agitations, the Tree e.
gro mobs. the abstract resolves, iutlls
Legislative enactments and fr,es,il elcc-
tons in some Of the northern states,
when compared with the real, world
wide. incalculabe and evcr.existing
I threatenings and dangers to her institu-
IIous that would spring from a disooiu-
ton of the Union, seem 10 me no more
\ than the ilretlng clouds that pass over
l our heads, the light winds that come
/ up from the gulf, in a clear day, in COM
parison with the dark scowIs and winds
I Of tie hurricane and the storm. IL 10
/ the true policy ofthc sIaveholding in
terest of the south % impress itself up
/ on the country az n conservative inter
est, and 10y no means as revolutionary
element IN society.
Have we lost faith in the great, dis
tuctive principle which lies at the bot
tom of our institutions-the capacity Of
the PEOPLE to administer properly our
! system of scli-government Thoec
who advocate the breaking up OF the
| system directly or indirectly, place
/ themselves in a position to he amenab O
/ to this impeachment. And how long
would such distrust of popular power
/ keep them from involving the people OF
the sections of "A dismembered Union IN
! war with each other TO the end that a
state OF things might arise, in which
\ they could dare propose 10 substitute
popular control 10y system OF military
| rule7 II confdenc' ia the capacity Of
thc.people OF the Union TO administer
/ Justly the system we already have, be
lost, at wha, stage in the dlsin'egration
and redisiutrgralion OF lis parts viii
that confidence be restored Where
are we to stop and save the democratic
principle Depend upon H. gentlemen,
that heavy responsibility rests some
where.
Bot the few remaining moments
have for preparation TO leave tie city,
on my return TO sick family, after an
absence ofiwu mouths from home, re-
quirc that | should bring this commune
! cation 20 IA clo,c.
BE pleased. gentlemen, 10 tender 10
tnosr friends ol the Union" IN Mobile,
Of whom you are be organ. an express
sion of my very profound thanks for
the consideration Implied IN their desire /.
| 10 hear me, aud accept for yourselves,
Il individually, tie assurance oimy very
high reg'rd y. q. SHIELDS