The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-15

PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, Nov s, 1851.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cep OF your letter OF yesterday in which you pleased
to inform me that number Of my democratic friends in
the city and county OF Philadelphia DESTROYS of offer
ing tribute OF respect and request my acceptance of
public dinner a, such time might best suit my
nlence.
Deeply penetrated with so fatterng proof OF esteem
and regard on the part OF many of my personal and po
lucal friends, beg you 10 believe that nothing would
have gra'ied me more than 10 have had il in my power
to avail myself OF your kind invitations but compelled by
prior engagements 70 leave Philadelphia on Monday next
am forced TO decline an honor which, under other
cumstances | should have been so proud 10 accept
must therefore, myself with the expression Of my
warmest gratitude Tor so distinguished mark of good
you have been so kind 10 express of my public chaac
ter and services. Whatever these services may have
sufficient reward they meet the appreciation of my
,rymen; for beg you 10 believe that in any may have
rendered al home or abroad have been actuated only
by honest zeal TO do wha, believed 10 be my duty
and TO maintain those great principles of popular rights
and free government which form the true democratic
creed. and which nowhere have been maintained with
ruer faith or rmer spirit than in the States OF Pennsyl
vania and Virginia
You do me no more than justice gentlemen, when you
allude 10 my devotion TO our glorious Unon and my
efforts TO preserve upon the principles and guarantees
of the constitution. And here may take occasion TO re-
peat what said in the recent address delivered before
the agricultural society OF your State that man,
whether wing or democrat must deceive himself with the
vain and idle hope that the Union OF the States, the
success OF our free institutions be preserved
upon any other basis than that oil d adherence 10 The
constitution, or in any other spirit than that in which II
was found by revolutionary fathers. Their motto
was Liberty, the Constitution, and Union,' and
trust shall cherish it ours III do and will cling
10 that sacred charter of rights in the enlightened
spirit in which il formed then, and then only will
oar Union become immortal
Allow me, gentlemen, before close this note to make
single auson 10 my recent visit 10 the metropolis OF
your State. came 10 Pennsylvania by invitation from
your State Agricultural Society TO deliver lis first annual
addess-a duty in the highest degree gratifying my
feelings My sole object 10 cooperate in advancing
ever my an,icpaons may have been the
of your great State and lis population truth obliges
to say that they have been than realized Indeed
to know what Pennsylvania really is must visit her
interior and minge with her rural population and il
TO Judge OF the entire population of the State by the
many thousands met at the interesting exhibition at
Harrisburg, then say with great confidence that
finer, more intelligent and enerprsing people
nowhere TO be found With such population, and her
vast resources Penns yania is destined reach point
OF elevation in regard TO which no venture
to hazard an opinion
In conclusion, gentlemen permit TO say that shall
carry back with me Virginia the most vivid and de.
ghtfu impressions OF all that have seen during my
short vis, to the Old Keystone of the Union and with
them a deep of the kindness and hospitality which
everywhere received from its gallant and patriotic sons
and may add, its fair daughters also-,he recollection
of which can never be eaced from my mind and heart
With cordial esteem and regard, am, gentlemen, most
truly, your friend and fellow citizen,
To the Hon. George M. Dallas, Richard Rush, J. X.
Kane, c. ]. Ingersol, and others.