The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-21
Letter from Hon. Ho,DeH CobJ.

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Letter from Hon. HotoeH CObJ.
WAsHIsoros, February II, 1851.
GENrLEMEN: My public duties will detain me
in Washington until the close OF the session. IL
will therefore be out of my power to be personally
present at your proposed celebration OF the I'd OF
February though in spirit and heart shall be with
you prepared to give to the noble cause in which
you are engaged the pledge of an honest heart and
an untiring spirit.
liarly appropriate to the object Of your assembage
How could the descendants OF our revolutionary
fathers aptly exhibit their reverence for the
memory of the Father of his Country than by dedi
eating It's return to solemn counscllings Tor the
preservation and perpetuity of that inestlmable
Union, purchased by their blood and transmitted
TO us as our proudest and richest legacy! II the
immortal spirit of that veneratcd sage could again
put on its mortality and move in our midst, what
could be more grateful to his feelings than to wit
ness the conservation of his own birthday to the
cause of that noble Union which he hoped might
be perpetual!
A few months since, and the stoutest hearts were
appalled, with the dangers which threatened the in
tegrity of the Republic. question involving the
most dangerous issue which can ever arise in our
country was rapidly dividing the people Of the
Union into sectional organizations, thus driving
the old ship Of State, with fearful velocity upon al
most certain destruction. The contest IN our own
State arising out of this question, is yet fresh in
the recollection Of our people. 1t was warm and
spirited exhibiting the fact that there existed in
the public mind due appreciation OF the momen-
tous consequences involved in it's decision. trust
that the lessons of wisdom which it incucated will
not soon be forgotten, and that the beneficial re-
suits which the triumph Of just and constitutional
principles then promised to the country will be fully
realized in the future history ofthc Republic. Whe
Their not this just and well founded hope Is des
tined to a realization or disappointment is entirely
dependant upon the wisdom and hrmness OF those
who have participated in bringing about the pres
ent prosperous and happy state Of public affairs.
The dangers which universally threatened
few months ago the peace and quiet OF the country,
involving the very existence Of the Union, have
been avoided and turned aside but it would be
criminal blunder to suppose that they have been
entirely overcome and destroyed. So long as the
causes which brought about these dangers shall
continue exist long will the duty Of the watch
full sentinel remain to be performed. So long as
the fendish spirit of fanatcisn is found warning
upon the Constitution, and the disunionst 10 at
tempting to poison the hearts Of the people with
spiri of hatred to the Union of fathers, long
will the obligation rest upon all true friends Of the
Union to unite their hands and hearts in defending
common country from the reasonable assaults OF
u common enemy.
It requires only brief reference to the past, and
a glance at the future, to satisfy any candid and
intelligent mind that these elements Of danger
yet in existence, to be met and overcome as they
may from time to time develop themselves to the
country. sectional majority had threatened, by
the exercise of disputed power, to tramplc upon
the constitutional rights Of the minority. The
people of the South declared that there existed no
constitutional power in this Government to OK
clude them from the free and equal participation
of the territory acquired by the joint blood and
treasure of the whole country. Whilst a northern
majority threatened disregard Of this constitu-
tional right-a threat which they proposed to exc
cute by the passage Of That odious measure famil-
arly known to the country the WilmOt pro-
viso-the South also demanded the execution OF a
voluntary obligation assumed by their northern
brethren, to deliver to US fugitive slaves who
might escape or be euticed into the non slavchod-
Statea Thia demand had long been
elected until the obligation itself was felt, in many
portions Of the country, to be unmeaniDg clause
Of the Constitution. These were the elements Of
distraction which were go rapidly loosening the
bonds that held together Union; and every pa
triotic heart in the land watched with the inenses
anxiety the progress of that long and arduous
struggle which was TO decide these momcntous is
That decision made--the wisdom, intel
Igence and patriotism of the country were found
adequate to the task which the emergency created.
In the series Of adjustment measures passed at the
last session OF Congress on the various branches Of
the slavery question, is found the record of fair
just, and honorable settlement of this alarming
question a.
1t only now needs to be considered final, and then
will grant that the danger is entirely over, and
the Republic is safe. But, unfortunately for the
future peace and quiet of the country this settle
ment is not regarded in that light by large por-
ton of the people, At the North, a clamor has
been raised for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave
by that restless and fanatica whose hostility
the South and her institutions has rendered them
proYerDlally the eStInatlOn Oh all good
citizens. But the Abolitoniss do not content them
selves with demand for the repeal of this part of
the Compromise. They denounce the whole set
Element as a base surrender to the demands of the
South, and, in the continued agitation Of the question
ofslavery, Geek the destruction ofthe Union, because
that Union guards and protects the South, by its
constitutional provisions in the undsturbed enjoy
ment Of its peculiar institutions. speak of the op-
ponents of this settlement at the North as Adolf
tioniss, as do not feel disposed to discriminate be-
tween the open and avowcd Abolitionists and tina,
class Of mongrcl politicians who sympathizc with
their reasonable sentiments, but decline, from mo-
tives of policy, TO wear their outward livery.
In the South, the spirit of opposition to these ad
justrnent measures is equally violent and deter
mined 1t is unnecessary, for the purpose Of this in
veatigation, to look beyond the limits of our own
State. In the canvass of last year is found abun-
dant evidence of the truth of the proposition The
tone oil the public press, and the inpassoned adj
dresses of public speakers, exhibited the fierce and
violent opposition of portion of our citizens the
COMPROMISE measures. If all other means were
denied to us Of measuring the of their oppo-
sition, we might form come estimate of it's CON
trolling influence, IN view of the fact that il sun
dcred their party relationships, aud drove the adj
vocates OF resistance to an open reputation both
of their party and their principles. IL reoniyes
deep rooted feeling and unswerving fxedness Of
purpose to produce such results.
In the organization of "The Southern Right,
Party" of Georgia, we see the truth of the state
ment here NADIA sectional organization bascc
upon sectional feelings and views, and having it
origin in spirit of hostility TO the late action
the Government on the subject Of slavery. Thos
citizens who have united in this movement rcpu
diate all national alliances dangerous in thei
tendency and incompatible with the successful de
fence of southern rights and honor. They profes
to regard the Compromise measures violative o
the spirit If not the letter of the Constitution no
do they hesitate TO avow that in the adoption O
those measures the rights and honor of tho Soutl
have been disregarded and trampled upon. Il
would be an unjust imputation upon their spirit
and patriotism to suppose that they intend to yield
faithful acquicscence in measures which they re.
gard as so unjust and dishonorable TO them In
truth, their very organization into sectional party
thereby Withdrawing themselves from their former
party associations. accompanied with the charge OF
bad faith upon their northern associates who have
stood true and firm to the national pledge, ought
to be considered ample notice to all intelligent