The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-11
From The Savannah Republican, March l.
Letter from Howell Cobb.
WAsHIEoroN, Feb. II, 1881,


fore be Out OF my power TO be personally present at your
proposed celebration OF the 22i OF February though IN
spirit and heart shall be with you prepared TO give 10
the noble in which you engaged the pleuge OF
an honest heart and an untring split .
You are happy in the selection OF day peculiarly aP
poprlae TO the object OF your assemblage How could
the descendants oil our revolutionary fathers APPLY
exhibit Their reverence for the memory OF the Father oil
his Country than by dedcaing its return osoepn coun
Unable Union purchased by their blood, aud transmitted
10 our proudest and richest legacy II the mmoI
mortality and move IN our midst what could be more
grateful to his feelings than TO witness the conservation
of his own birthday 10 the cause of that noble Union
which he hoped might be perpetual
A few months since, and the soutes hearts were APP
paIed with the dangers which threatened the integrity of
the republic. question involving the most dangerous
issue which arise IN our country rapidly
dividing the people, OF the Union INTO sectional oganza
tons thus driving the old ship OF State with fearful We
locity upon almost certain destruction lhe contest -
State arising out Of THIS question Is yet fresh
in the recollection OF our people, II was warm and
spirited, exhibiting the fact that there existed IN the pub
lie mind due appreciation oil the moseh'oss eonse
quences involved in its decision trust that The lessons
OF wisdom which it incucated will not soon be forgot,
ten, and that the beneficial results which The triumph OF
country will be fully realized in The future history Of the
republic Whether not this just and well founded hope
is destined to realization or disappointment enlreY
dependant upon the wisdom and irmness OF those who
have participated in bringing about the present prosperous
and happy state of public affairs
The dangers which so universally threatened few
the very existence of the Union have been avoided and
turned aside but it would be criminal bunder to sup
pose that they have been entirely overcome and destroyed
So long the which brought about these dangers
shall continue to exist so long will The duty OF The watch
full sentinel remain to be performed SO long as the
tendsh spirit OF tanacism is found warning upon The
constitution, and the dsunionis is attempting TO poison
the hearts OF the people with spirit OF hatred TO the
Uhion of our fathers, so long will the obligation rest
upon all true friends OF the Union TO unite their hands
and hearts in defending common country from the
reasonable assaults OF common enemy, r
1t requires only brief reference to the past, and
glance the future, 10 satisfy any candid and inte-
gent mind that these elements OF danger yet in
sence to be met and they may from time 10
time develop themselves to the country sectional ma,
ority had threatened, by the exercise OF disputed
power, TO trample upon the constitutional rights OF the
minority. The people OF the South declared that there
existed no constitutional power in this government to
exclude them from the free and equal participation OF the
territory acquired by the joint blood and treasure OF the
whole country Whilst northern majority threatened
disregard of this constitutional rght-a threat which
they proposed TO execute by the passage OF that odious
measure famiaIly known TO the country as the Wmol
Proviso-the South also demanded the execution Of vol
unay obligation assumed BY their northern brethren, to
deliver 10 our fugitive slaves who might escape or be
enticel into the non -slavehodng States lhs demand
had long been neglected, until the obligation Itself was
felt in many portions OF the country to be an nnmeanng
distraction which rapidly loosening The bonds
that held together Unon and every patriotic heart IN
the land watched with the nensest anxiety The progress
OF that long and arduous sirosg lie which was 10 decide
these momenous issues. That decision was made The
wisdom, intelligence and patriotism OF the country were
found adequate the task which the emergency created
In the series of adjustment passed at the last
session OF Congress on the various branches OF the
slavery question is found the record OF fair, Just, and
honorable settlement sf this alarming question.
1t only needs TO be considered fnai and then will
grant that the danger entirely over and the republic
safe But, unfortunately for the future peace and quiet
of the country, this settlement is not regarded IN that
light by large portion oil the people Al the North
camor has been raised for the repeal oil the fugitive slave
law by that restless and anatcal whose hostility 10
ttQ Snuh and hpri
balIy Infamous in the estimation OF all good citizens,
But the abohuoniss do not content themselves with
demand for the repeal OF this part OF the Compromise.
They denounce the whole settlement base surrender
to The demands OF the South and in the continued agita
ton of the question OF slavery seek the destruction OF
the Union, because that Union guards and protects the
South by lis constitutional provisions in the undsubed
enjoyment of its peculiar institutions speak OF the OPP
ponens of this settlement AT the North as aoolionlsts
as do not feel disposed discriminate between the open
and avowed aboiuoniss and thai class of mongre poll
tcians no sympahize with their reasonable sentiments
but decline from motives oil policy TO wear Their outward
livery
In the South the spirit OF opposition TO these adjust
ment measures is equally violent and determined, 1t IS
unnecessary for the purpose OF this investigation 70 look
beyond the limits OF State. Ia the canvass oil
last year found abundant evidence OF the truth OF the
proposition. The tone OF the public press and the I'M
assoned addresses OF public speakers The herce
and violent opposition OF portion OF our cIzens TO he
compromise measures III all other were denied
OF measuring the extent Of their opposition, we
might form some estimate OF It's controlling influence, IN
view of the fact that surrendered their party relation
ships and drove the advocates OF resistance TO an open
epudaton both OF their party and their principles Ii
requires deep rooted feeling and answering bkedness oil
purpose TO produce such results.
la the organization OF the southe rights party" OF
Georgia, the truth OF the statement here made-a
sectional based upon sectional feelings and
views and having its origin in spirit OF hostility 10 the
late action OF the government the subject OF slavery
Those citizens who have united IN this movement repu
date all national alliances dangerous IN their tendency
and incompatible with the successful defence OF southern
rights and bosor They profess TO regard the coppomse
vioatve OF the spirit, not the letter OF the
constitution nor do they hesitate 10 that IN the
adoption OF those the rights and honor OF the
! South have been dsregarded and trampled upon. II
\ would be unjust mpulation upon Their spirit and
patriotism TO suppose that they intend TO yield fa'hn
acquescence IN which they regard so unjust
and disbonorable them In TRUTH their very organiza-
ton into sectional party, thereby Withdrawing them,
selves from their former party associations, accompanied
with the charge of bad faith upon their northern asso.
GATES who have stood true aud brm TO the national
pledge, ought TO be considered ample notice to all M
ellgent OF their determination not TO scquiesce 10
the aclon OF Congress With some, the avowa IL openly
made with a holiness worthy OF better cause whilst
others would ain conceal their ultimate purposes in the
hope of enticng into their ranks portion OF the honest
and sincere friends of the Union upon the basis of the
late COMPREHENSIVE what effect II remains yet 10 be
seen. E" .s.=sa#. .
The professions OF this " southem-righs party" are
strangely inconsistent with their position and known
tments They proclaim 10 the counry their attachment
and devotion 10 the Union and IN some instances CLAIM y
be It's only true friends is IL not too strong demand
upon creduy to ask OF to put confidence ~ Their
prote Whence originates their love OF the Union
Ia il in the wrongs and plurie. inilcs upon them tn
the humiliation and disgrace they feel in subm ting TO ts
laws and government They either deceive themselves
seek TO impose upon others hold II TO be impossible
for any true hearted man to feel love and devotion for
roen t,vh In his