Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-05

Thursday.
| Letters were read by James A. Hamilton
Chairman of the committee ofarrang sments, from
Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Daniel S. Dickin.
son, Gouverneur Kemble, William Nelson, Viii
liam Paulding, William Henry Anthem, Jas.
Arooks, and Theodore H. Benedict, sympathi-
sing with the call of the meeting and encouraging
the people of Westchester to persevere in efforts
in behalf of the Union.
The following is the practical and splendid let
ter, from Daniel Webster, the reading OF which
ELECTED the greatest applause.
MR.. WEBSTER'S LETTER.
- WASHINGTON, JAN 9th, 1851
GENTLEMENs-I have 10 acknowledge the receipt of
your letter OF the 10th OF this month, inviting me to
attend meeting proposed to be holden at Tarrytown
the 30th inst, by the people Of Westchester county
without any distinction OF party, who approve OF the
Compromise measures OF the last session of Congress.
My public duties do not allow to accept this in
vltatlon but you need not doubt that cordially ap-
prove the objects and purposes for which the people
OF Westchester purpose to assemble.
hope the spirit OF disunon may be considered as
now 10 some degree, checked but that it has existed
both at the North and the South, and does still exist to
to dangerous extent cannot, as it seems to be de-
MED by any honest man.
In the South the separation of the States is openly
proposed, discussed and recommended, absolutely or
conditionally, in Legislative Halls and in Conventions
called together by the authority OF Law
In the North, the State Governments have not run
INTO such excess, and the purpose OF overurning the
Government shows itself more clearly in Resolutions
agreed to in voluntary assemblies OF Individuals de-
nouncing the laws of the land, and declaring fixed
intent to disobey Them
notice that in ofthose meetings, holden lately
in the very heart OF New England and said to have been
very nnmeroGsy attended, the, members unanimous
ly resolved "That God is helper, we will not
suffer any person charged with being fugitive from
labor to be taken from among US, and this resolve
we pledge our lives fortenes and sacred hon.
These persons do not seem to have been aware,
that the purpose thus avowed by them.s distinctly urea
sonable II any law OF the land be resisted. by force
OF force OF numbers with declared intent 10
resist the application of that law in all cases this e-
vyng war against the Government within the meaning
OF the Constitution and act OF treason, drawing al
ter it all the consequences OF that offence. This the
precise case, which convictions Tor treason look place
In Pennsylvania, during Gen. Washington's admnis-
raton; and not only does such spirit this manifest
Itself IN heated and violent public assemblies; but 10 al
so defended, encouraged and commended by consid-
cradle portion OF the public press and what is worse
the pulpit has in too many instances uttered these
OF opposition to the law nstea OF the voice OF Chris
tan kness, epentai % and the fear OF God Indeed
occasions have happened IN which men aud women
nave engaged IN sort OF rivalry contest wle-
ther the laws socety the lust tn of religion and
the authority OF Divine Revelation, could be treated with
the mole contempt
It is evident that if this spirit be not checked it will
endanger the government if 1t spread far and wide 1t
Will overthrow the Government
There are ampe pledges, gentlemen, that with YOU
and your fellow citizens Of Westminster no other feeling
Will be entertained than that of jealous attachment to
the Union and the Constitution, and determination to
support both to the last extremity. Among your COM
ltee see the son OF great and lllustrious man.
equally distinguished in the revolutionary and the con-
slitutona period OF his country. Alexander Hamilton
was one OF the twelve commissioners who met at An
napolis in September, 1885, and recommended 10 The
a nj
ment, adequate 10 the eXigences OF the Union -
1ere was the cradel of that form of government which
mas SO long bound us all together and made pros
porous at home and so much respected abroad Where
the blood OF Alexander Hamilton fills the VEINS or his
example and paroic services remembered the Lam
guage OF separation, accession and disunon, will find
no uerance, and purposes OF violent resistance TO the
laws, no appreciation or tolerance.
Gentlenen the mortal remains OF another great man :,
yenerated and loved through the whole OF long
life, repose in the county OF Weschester; of course
mean JOHN JAY. The public life Of this ustrious man
almost entirely devoted to the preservation of the
Union Of the States, tine esab sment OF the Constitu
ton, and the administration OF the powers conferred
der IT, No man clearly or felt more deel w
the evils arising from the existence of States with en-
tire and distinct sovereigntes appealed his
countrymen against such state of things with more
ming OF spirit very much like that which exists now;
he ioretold Its dangers and did much any
rescue the public opinion from its perncious grasp.
In l1o5 he wrote to friend, 1T is my first wish to
one great nation, whose territory divided into ffer
ent States merely tor more convenient Government"
In 1887 ne said, ut has until lately been received
and unconradiced opinion, that the prosperity of the
people OF America depended their continuing firmly
united, and the wishes, prayers and efforts of best
and wisest citizens have been constantly directed to
that object But politicians now appear, who insist
that this opinion is erroneous and that instead OF look
ing tor safety and happiness union, ought to seek
it in division OF the States into distinct contsds-
racles or sovereigntes.''
AND bo,~ L..
made for each other, and appears If the de-
sign OF Providence that inheritance proper and
tor band of brethren united each other
by the strongest ties should never be split into num-
Der OF unsocial jealous and alien sovereigntes.'
"Ihey who promote the idea of substituting num-
Der OF distinct conederates, the of the plan
OF the Convention, seem clearly to foresee that the
lection ONT would put the continuance OF the Union
in the utmost jeopardy. That certainly would be the
case; and sincerely wish that it may be as clearly
oreseen by every good czen, that whenever the dis
solutionIof the Union arrives, America will have rea-
son to excaim, in the words of the poet, Farewell!
long farewell 10 all my greatness"
When | am speaking OF the ardent attachment of
John Jay to the Union of the American States,
not torbear at the risk OF extending this
beyond its proper limits, from Introducing another
tract from his admirable writings, as exhibit
ting remarkable sagaclty and power of illustration
1--WE have heard much" said he, "of the fleets Of
Britain; and il we are wlse the time may come when
the fleets OF America may engage attention. But il
national Government had not regulated the navi-
cation of Britain as to make it nursery for seamen
if one national Government had not called forth all the
national means and materials for forming fleets, their
prowess and their thunder would have been cee
brated. Let England have its navigation and fleet
let Wales have its fleet-et Scotland have It's fleet
let Ireland have its navigation and feetle these-four
of the constituent parts OF British empire be under
four independent governments and it is easy to per-
ceive how soon they would each dwindle into COM
parave insigniticance."
When John Jay filled the seata the head of the
Supreme Judlcature, how would one appear, who
face, beaming equally with intelligence and benign.
ty and insist that he had disregarded plighted faith
violated the most important obligations and condemned
the sanetty of oaths, only upon his reliance the
perorty OF his own Intelligence that of the COM
,nuny and the right of every individual to Judge OF
constitution, laws and compacts for hmselfl
Gentlemen, am sure that you and your friends will
in upholdng the institutions of your country. pur