The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-01


ons-the fugitive. slave law included. Although having
many hundred miles OF conteminious boundary upon
the slave State of Missouri the latter has had
complain OF the former II is historical fact
noticed by during the past summer that the ures of
Iowa, under the old law and the constitution. had put
qustus upon negro stealing by the infection Of the
verest fines upon those who found guilty of il
within their borders.
UNION MASS MEETING.
Pursuant 10 previous arrangements, very large
Der OF the citizens OF Des Monies county assembled al the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in the city OF Burlington,
on Saturday morning. the 1ith OF December utmo Tor
the purpose OF giving public expression OF their opin-
ions upon me paclhcalion and adjustment measures
ment to, and determination to stand by and support the
constitution and the Ulion.
AT II o'clock the house then being crowded, the as
sembage called to order by Mr. John Hollngsworth,
chairman OF the committee OF arrangements, who nomi-
mated David Korer esq to preside over Ills deberahons
which nomination was agreed 10 UNANIMOUSLY.
The president then took the chair, and announced the
folowng,pamed gentlemen as vice presidents Dr. r.
Henry. Levi Hsser. W B. Ewing. Adam Funk, F. J. c.
| ]. B. Browning, DR.. William b Chamberlain, Sol
Sherey, Nathaniel Irving, Godfrey Scarborough,
and Thomas SpeTry, who being unanimously appointed
by the meeting Immediately took their seats around the
chair.
Messrs George Frazee, 0. C. Wigh,man, and John H.
McKenny then nominated to act secretaries,
which also unanimously agreed to.
Upon the invitation of the president, the Rev. l.. b..
Dennis OF the Methodist Episcopal Church. then opened
the meeting with feeling and appropriate prayer after
which the Burlington Brass Band entertained the
semby with patriotic air.
The president then stated the object OF the meeting in
the following remarks:
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW CITIZENS Accept my humble
acknowledgment for the distinction Which you have
ferred upon me- Would that it had fallen on one more
worthy and more competent!
Ii is no ordinary occasion which has brought
gether. Believing the Union to be endangered by the
mbtered state OF feeling existing between the North
and the South the subject OF slavery we come to
gether the advocates OF slavery, nor yet to join in
the irritating outcry against for with we have moth
ing debut lovers Of country, and for the sake
OF the Union. We together this day. without dis
ncton OF party, to express kind feelings to all our
determination support the laws, and our heartfelt de-
sire that this strife ceaseo rally around the altar
of beIty-the covenant OF our talhersthe "higher
law" OF our aeganee-,he constitution OF our coun-
try--that law which commanded to obey by the
divine requirement OF obedience to the powers that be
that law which Washington assisted 10 make--which
thousands Of oretahers sealed with their blood
and which the rash and the thoughess seek TO
rihce 10 the Moloch OF anarchy. True II may not be
perfect but it much circumstances would adj
nit ofas subunay things ever may beior there there
| is nothing perfect from the hand OF man.
Under this law, from small speck on the horizon OF
freedom, have become mighty constellation of po-
ltca stars, studding this continent from the Atlantic in
the to the Pacific the west and north and south
almost from the frgid TO the tord zones whose bnl-
liancy has ecpsed that of all previous governments
which has afforded peace, prosperity, and equality at
home, and elected admiration and respect from every
ton abroad which for three ourths OF century has
been asylum for the oppressed of every cme and the
The spirit Of these nstinons IKE ~ Ike sris OF the world
leaveneth the whole lump has pervaded this entire
nent nay more it has caused kings 10 remble their
thrones and some of those thrones 10 crumbe into dust
Our navies ride upon every seaour commerce is extend
ed into every land. Great al home and great abroad
pacy as nation Of States and free in separate ca.
pacties OF individual States are indeed mighty and
peculiar peopea people who may Justly be proud OF their
country and Of the name OF American cltiZena peo-
Pile whose hearts, than those OF all others, should
diate with patriotism, and with gratitude TO the Author
OF being for the enjoyment OF SO many blessings-a
people who should hesitate long before we attempt TO
trlhe with this rich inheritance.
Ii is Notifying look abroad upon land at the
dscord and alienation of feeling which exists between
the people of OF the Staesto see that peace and
that harmony which the beauty OF all Institutions and
especially those OF ours, about to be sacrificed 10 the
IDOL OF faction, and the cravings OF an unhalowed amb-
ton TO the misguided, tanning those flames OF dis
cord which, unless stayed may consume our last hope oil
political freedom and pray the hand OF brother against
brother, throughout our entire landa strife which may
blot out national name and our national glory, and,
without making the bond more free than they
may end in making us all slaves-a strife which may
cut up our magnificent country INTO petty and contempt
BILE distinct soveeignues, always jealous OF and at war
with each other home, and always The sport and
tempt OF the great powers sbroad--a strife that may OPP
press and corrupt our people with standing armies and
nsuherable taxes and conlribuionsthat may line
coasts with navies, and blockade with custom houses and
cannon our lake shores and our mighty rivers-those
great internal hg which many golden
chains 10 bind togetber-a snie which Is extin-
gushing all feeling OF fraternity IN the breasts OF many of
people in the North and in the South who, by APP
pealing to prejudces unnecessary and unjust seek TO
array those two great sections against each Other in spite
| OF the warning of the Father OF our Country, who,
in his Farewell Address, speaks TO US in language which
beg leave refer infinitely appropriate than
any thing Can say
| "The unity of government which constitutes you ono
people IL also dear IL Justly Tor
main pillar ia the edce of your independence
support Of your ,ranluiy home, your peace abroad
your safety OF prosperity, OF that liberty which
You highly przs. But IL easy ioresee that
different causes and from different quarters much pains
will be taken, many artces employed, weaken in your
minds conviction Of this utl-as this Is the point
your political fortress against which the batteries OF internal
external enemies will be constantly and actively
though often covey and nsdiously) directed is Of inf.
that should properly estimate the vaue
pincss should cherish cordial habitua. and
mmoveablc attachment 10 t-accusomng yourselves to
think and speak OF Of the palladium OF your pol
cal safety and prosperiywatcbing for its
gest suspicion that 1t in any event be aban-
homeland indignantly rowning upon the fret dawnng
OF every attempt ALLEVIATE portion OF country from
the rest enfcebe the sacred ties which now link
gether the various parts ..
Such, fellow. citizens is the language OF one who de-
voted lifetime TO his country-one whose very name
of wisdom and of strength in the days of our
countrys peril Such is the language Of one whose mere
should act talisman 10 still the angry passions
of his fellow Such is the language OF one at the
mere mention OF whose tyrants tremble and free
men send up shouts OF Joy Such is the language Of
Washington and such is the spirit which should
be cherhed by the people of these States and which