The republic., 1851-04-16


or the secsssionsts. to prevent the enforcement Of
the laws Of the United States. If an unpopular
law cannot be executed in Massachusetts il is
| impossible to compel obedience to law without q
concurrent "feeling in its favor" among the peo.
pie of Massaehusetts, of course il is equally impos-
| sible 70 execute : law in South Carolina without
the Same concuxrence.''
Mr.. Ritchis's vaIedictory and Democratic
Heorganization.
The Union Of yesterday brings us the vale
dictory of Mr.. RITcHIE to the public. For
nearly six years he has conducted that journal,
and for forty-seven years he has been associated
with the public press. During that period he
has probably exercised as much influence on
public affairs as any other individual. Indeed,
when we consider the long dominion of the
Enquirer in the State of VIRGINIA, and its
great influence with the southern Democracy,
it is not too much to say that no man since the
establishment of the Federal Constitution has
welded so much power for so long a term as the
veteran who now retires from the political field.
The habit of addressing himself to Virginia
politicians, in the struggle for the maintenance
of his local power, rendered him for long pc
riod merely sectional and provincial writer.
He never entirely outlved this habit. Since
his removal to national theatre, however, his
views have been enlarged, and some Of his
prejudices have been overcome; and we cannot
withhold from him our testimony to the lbe-
rality and patriotism of his course for the last
twelvemonth. In his day, he has done much
to stimulate sectional animosities. He has en-
ployed them as the means of upholding political
power, without regard to the evil consequences
in which such policy must inevitably result.
We believe that of late he has become alarmed
at the state of feeling which he had done so
much to bring about, and has labored with zeal
and diligence in his vocation to counteract the
dangers with which it has menaced the coun-
try and the Constitution.
In his valedctory Mr. RIrcHE republishes
portion of his original prospectus of the
Union, and repeats the well-known formulas of
the Richmond Democracy on constitutional
construction. He applauds the administration
of Mr.. Polk as probably "the most brilliant
one which this country has ever SEEM" This
merit may perhaps be justly awarded to it. The
most brilliant of spectacles is confagration.
The annals of Mr.. PoLK's administration are
red with blood, and shine with the light Of
blazing artillery and burning cities. Our grave
yards are full of the monuments of his "bril-
liant" career. The sighs and tears Of desolate
hearthstones, .heart-broken mothers and be-
reaved children, attest daily ho,c brilliant it
was as the backened stones and ashes testify
to the extinguished glare Of the volcano. We
can sympathize with no admiration of that
"brilliant" policy which was pursued at the
loss of SO much human life and happiness, and
whose consequences have nearly proved fatal
to the glorious UNION under which we live.
In earnestly conjuring his countrymen to ad-
here to the Compromise, Mr.. RITcHIE gives
sincere advice, we doubt not, and advice
which, from the weight of his years and expe-
rience, is worth regarding. This portion Of
his valedictory we extract, and commend it to
the attention of our readers:
This Compromise system has been adopted;
and earnestly conjure my countrymen to adhere
to it. Its preservation will save this glorious
Union-its violation will destroy the noblest form
of government that ever existed. l am now
speaking, a. it were, from my political death bed.
with all the solsmnity and responsibility which
surround the confessions of dying man. The
country knows my attachment to the Union.
During the late arduous struggle might have
withdrawn to my tent, and avoided the dangers
{ of the field. But boldly say did not hesitate
one moment to meet the crisis and brave every
consequence. ! came to Washington with some
little influence in the South. In attempting tc
save the Union have been shorn of some of that
moral force wfrich had gained another the.
atrc. As had lost position in ono section, 80
gained some in another; and have not hesitated
10 employ il in calling upon my northern breth
rem TO stand to this Compromise, to carry II ou'
faithfully and to avoid forever the reagitatior
Of this dangerous subject. have, therefore
right to speak upon this matter, if any Anne
rican has; and ! warn my countrymcn in the
North not to deceive themselves. ! tell them
that the South is in carncst--that she will insis
upon the faithful execution Of the Fugitive Slave
law for otherwise this Union will topple to the
ground II is idle to talk about the Union alone
We must preserve all the three great pillars Of ouI
prosperity-the Liberty Of the People, the Rights o
the States and the Union Of the States. Let one o
these perish, and the whole magnificent structure
falls to the ground. Avoid, then, all interven
ton with the local interests of each other; kecE
your hands of this peculiar institution Of ths
South put down this spirit of -soilism, or i
will put down the Union itself-it is now tbs
most fearful element of discord and dissolution
and let no man be elected President Of the Unitee
States who docs not boldly and frankly com,
forth to disavow all participation with these fac
tious fanatics
" In the same candid spirit, take the liberty
of telling my brethren of the South to observe th,
Compromise system-to discountenancc every
man who would now rush into secession, or who
| would not avoid every rash and extreme cxpedi
| ent until every amicable measure has been OK
hausted, until the southern people are 30 far uni