The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-01

LEWIS PHELPS, ]. G. JUSTICE,
w. II. WAsHINGToN, CHAs SLOWER,
IW. HUoHEs, NJ A. OUTTEN
]. GRAHAM TULL, J. w. GARNER,
j. A. GUIoN, G.. s. ATTMoRE,
j. ID. HoRNIBLoU, SAML MASTERS.
WAsnINGToN, Aug. 10, 1851.
GENTLEMEN: Your flattering letter of the 18th
inst has been received and has filled me with emo
tons too deep for utterance
Your kind partially toward native of our glori-
old town has caused you to estimate too highly
my poor services to our common country. In the
support gave to the Compromise measures, i be-
lieved was acting for the best interests of our
whole country, and especially for the interests of
the South. These measures were recommended
and sustained by leading men from the North and
South, Of both the great political parties of the
country--Whigs and Democrats-who nobly for
got party differences, when Abolitonists at the
North, and Secessionists at the South, were COM
bined in AN apparent determination 20 overthrow
our Constitution and destroy our Union Aotuated
by the same patriotic feeling. good men of both
parties in this district, in opposition to weak and
inconsiderate men of both parties, have united to
uphold and defend our republican institutions 1t
was a cheering sight to hitherto opposed
cordially acting together, and resolving with heart
secession and dsunlon
regard the result in this district as much great
err than mere party triumph. tits victory of the
friends OF the Union. 1t has proved that the people
OF this district condemn those who advocate even
the "abstract right ofsecession." No clearer proof
OF this iswanted than the fact-as am informed
! by the most respectable authority--that, among
the swarm advocates of the right of State to Sc
cede," come were compelled to declare they were
opposed to the exercise OF the right snow or here
after!" Under these professions many honest
men, BIASED by the strong influence of party feel
ing, after being assured that secession was not
thought of seriously by the people of any State
that the cry of secession party trick intended
to deceive-were induced to vote against me under
the belief they were supporting one ardently at
tached TO the Union, and opposed to secession,
"now and hereafter
Nothing is more certain than that the word &c Sc
cession % is odious TO the people of our good old
North State, Of both parties. / do not know half
dozen persons in the district who admit they
secessionists.'' Though who is secessionist, is
as hard question TO answer as &c what Is that ins
describable thing, State rights man"
/ sincerely believe that any candidate, avow
ed advocate of secession or disunion, who would
without equvocaton proclaim his wish TO dissolve
our Union, would be driven into retirement amidst
the excavations of our people believe there is no
people under heaven in whose hearts the love of
republican institutions, secured by our time hon
ored Constitution, exists with stronger steadier
feeling than in the hearts Of the people of North
Carolina. God grant this may continue to the
last syllable of recorded time!
Gentlemen, have been taught from my earliest
youth, next to the Scriptures, in which man learns
his hopes of salvation, to regard with generation
the teachings of the Father of his Country in his
Farewell Address. There he speaks of 't the i'm
mense value of our National Union to our collec-
tive and individual happiness He urges us to
+" cherish cordial, habitual, and immovablc at,
tachment to it; to watch for ts preservation with
jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may
suggest even a suspicion that it cam in any event,
be abandoned, and Indignantly frownng upon the
fret dawning of every attempt to ALLEVIATE any
portion of country from the rest, to eneeble
the sacred ties which link together the various
parts.'
In my earliest manhood listened to whom
delighted, as the laws of God commanded me, to
honor; whose proudest recollceaion that he
was long sustained by Newbcfn, his native town
and ne told me, in the words of Jackson's glorious
proclamation, that, " compared TO dsunion, all
other evils light, because that brings with
accumulation of ALL" In my public course have
endeavored to keep theee lessons before me- and
shall continue to regulate my conduct by them, in
public or private station, while | am honored by
the confidence of the people of the district, and
while Heaven spares my life.
l trust that the dangerous excitement which for
come years past has disturbed this country will
soon entirely pass away. believe immense
majority of both Wings and Democrats Of the North
are true to the Constitution and the Union; | be-
lieve an immense majority Of both Wings and De-
mocrats Of the South true to the Constitution and
the Union. Should the fanatical Free-socrs Of the
North, and fanatical Secessionists at the South,
continue their reckless efforts ALLEVIATE portion
of the country from the rest then patriots OF the
Democratic and Wing parties must come together,
forgetting all past differences, and trusting in Prov
idence, unite in one common effort TO con-
shtutional Union. I fight now, honceforth and
forever, against any Wing who raises the banner OF
"secession,'or the right of secession. shall glory
IN contending in the ranks with honest patriot De-
mocrats, under Democratic banner, who raises the
flag oil the Union, and opposes the reasonable doc
trine oil secession. | remember with great salts
faction that in the last campaign denounced
everywhere the leaders of both parties who were
warm advocates of tho right OF secession. and
who, in the present excited state Of the public mind
in some Of tho southern States, were desrous to
have this right acknowledged by our people; and
as to those secession advocates who called them
selves Wings, | openly defed and solicited their
opposition l told them did not want their sup