Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-26
EDWARD EVERETT AND DANIEL WEBSTER

EDWARD EVERETT AND DANIEL WEBSTER.
Hon. EDWARD EvERETT was expected to preside
a meeting which was lately proposed to be held
in Faneuil Hall for the purpose of hearing Mr..
WEBSTER speak; but was obliged. by reason OF
delicate health, 10 decline. Hon. RUFUs CHoATE
next invited. and accepted, and, had the meet.
ing taken place, would have addressed the Secre-
tary in its name. il 8 aaf s ag
- The following letter of Mr.. EyERErT, in reply
10 the invitation sent him, will be read with plea
sure by all who have at heart the best interests OF
the Union and The Constitution:
CAxsRrDcE. APRIL Is, 1851.
Dean Sra: deeply regret that il is in my power 10
attend the ing proposed to be held tomorrow in honor
Of Mr. Webster Long the citizens Of Boston have been
In the habit Of tesng their respect him. there never
was dme in my opinion, whom be was better entitled 10
The cordial assurance Of their confidence and gratitude whe-
ter We der the mpoancs of the services rendered by
MN during The past year. or the weight Of responsibility
sumed BY him In their performance On former occasons
when he has most efficiently contributed the
Of the Union Ia times Of impending danger be acted with
the unanimous appreciation Of his immediate constituents
comparatively easy task On the present occasion he has
performed the patriotic duty, in crisis far more dan.
gefous, and amidst the deorable divisions of opinion
home, on subjects directly involving the stability Of The
Government and ihs peace Of the country Called by the
President Of the United States this momentous unciure 10
the post OF chieies responsibility, he has NOT hesated to
throw himself into the breach, and sacrifice portion Of
his ha'dy-earnsd and wedsseed popularity the public
had occasion carefully observe the political course OF
Mr. Webster long have had any knowedge Of ssirs
For zen years We were together In Congress- and at oil other
times have bad great personal opportunities 10 BE- well &C.
qusn,sd with his views and principles on ali public ones
tons, and with his ends and objects public man. Ihave
not 10 every instance agreed with him O. 10 individual opin
ions snd asure but have differed from him with
ns,fsS fxx~ Al
will say from the Dsclssion o. Independence % he pre-
sent dsy tho country has never besn ssedno. not In lis
best days and by s best msn--wh greater ability with
trusr hdety o with Purer patriotism than by Mr. Webster
requires but little ingenuity in difficult imes and In re-
ference subject which the requistons Of the cops,i.u
ton ard at variance with public sentiment to ure objections
against any practicable line Of policy That the measures Of
the last Congs in reference the subject which 10 shaking
Mr. Webster desired 70 have them Is well known. Tha, i
bis duty, that Of on good citizens 10 scouesce Ia
those measures after they became and while they continue
the law OF The land, need not say. And isy firm opin-
Mr. Webster has performed biz duty. 10 the responsible no
son and the afduOus circumstances Ia which be has been
placed, that the friends Of the Union the South have been
able 70 stand their ground against those who seek IL dou
on and That blood has not flowed at The Norh In rcbls
sstance TO the law Of the land. .fa n,
cannot shut our eyes to the fact that persons holding
extreme opinions at the South and st the Noh srs sinng
toward dissolution OF the Union. The number of persons
uosHB His oect ~ the Noftns suppose 10 DC small and
not very large at the South except in State but there
very considerable number sar in both sections Of ,he
country who reason upon the general principles q The
extremists and tending, perhaps unconscouy. to the
same result Where the same 10 pursued BY differ
en persons for directly opposite reasons we commonly say
that the views Of one or the other 10 BE- realized
In the present deem certain that the expectation Of
both parties will in the Of separation Of the States
be wofuy disappointed. Nothing viii be gained By the
South, in the wsy Of security from sntslsvsry agitation
will gather violence and strength No,hng will be gain
Cd at the North n reference 70 the existence and extension
slavery il will be guarded with greater vigilance, and win
seek 70 spread tse in the direction Of Cubs and Mexico
with an energy Of purpose not yet disPsysd. All the
saning and soening influences both ides which Aow
from tho kindly union Of North and South in one body poll
tics and which have ensured sixty Of almost unner
lrupted prosperity, will be At onos blasted.
Every existing grievance complained Of a the South and
the North will be immessuraby augmented and smbered
and superadded to all will be the horrors crimes and suffer-
ngs Of civil war; Regarding these the results Of
dissolution Of the Union, know no language too warm
express the gratitude Mr. Webster and the patri-
oc Of both parties who have acted with him, for their
recent strenuous efforts to avert this calamity.
remain, dear sir, with great respect. your friend and
servant, rt g+rs EDWARD EvERETT.