The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-27
From The NsD York Journal Of Commerce.
Union Dinner.
ANswEas or THE INVITED.

We have already published the replies Of several
gentlemen to the invitation Of the Union Safety
Committee of this city, asking the favor of their
company at the Union dinner the anniv ersary of
Washington's birthday. Letters from several
other gentlemen are subjoined, breathing the same
patriotic and conciliatory spirit which has only to
prevail extensively over the country, and our Re
public will be maintained, Zone and indivisible,"
to the latest posterty. Some Of these letters did
not reach the committee until after the meeting
was held. 81 tr3p
From the Hon. Hm. Dusr, M q. from Nso York.
WAsHisaroN, Feb. Is, 1861.
CEsTLEmEs II would give me great pleasure
to unite with you in the celebration of the twenty
second of February but such 10 the state OF the
public business, that it is not possible for to
present scssion Of Congress.
believe with you. gentlemen, that the times de-
mand that should i.rally around the principles
of Washington" II is upon those principles only, az
embodied In the Constitution, and recommended
in his Farewell Address, that the Union can be pre-
served.
1t is said that Union meetings and Union asso-
Citations useless and absurd at the North, for the
reason that there are no enemies to the Union
there. Admitting this to be true, it cannot be de-
MED that there 10 great difference among those
who are its friends. There Is class OF them that
esteems what it loves; another that reviles it. If
had that opinion of the Union which some OF its
friends promuge, / should inevitably be a Dis.
unionst. The Union which ! love am proud
Of; and love my countrymen to whom II binds
me. love it because it makes us stronger, hap
pier, and more prosperous, than we should other.
wise be; because it contributes to the defence and
promotes the welfare Of the people; because 1t
guards liberties, and diffuses civilization be-
cause it is great, honorable, powerful, and be-
neficent. And, when ! speak Of my attachment
to the Union, have reference to and include that
which is its essence, the compact from which it
arose. and in which it lives. The Constitution Of
the United States constitutes the Union of the
States, as much the blood, bones, and flesh con-
stitute the man without il there is no Union, or
another and different sort of Union. Of which
know nothing. But if looked upon this constitu-
tional Union as degradation and crime, and If
l regarded my countrymen Of half the States as
oppTessors, as outcasts and outlaws, without the
pale of the church and without the pale of the law,
to whom no charity was due. and whom no oath
could bind, it seems to me that should not lose a
moment to break such ties and part with such as
sentiments are offended if a question is raised of
their attachment to that Union which they paint
in such frightful colors. They profess the most
unboundcd devotion-they will fight for-they will
execratc. Why, this is madness like the passion
Of the poet:
al ask not, care not, If quilts in that heart,
know that love thee, whatever thou art"
But il is not upon such unrcasoning attachment
that we can safely rely. Nor are such demon
beloved object. Somewhat less ardor and a little
more regard for solemn contracts might produce a
better understanding between the parties. The
question is not of an illicit love, but of marital
rights and duties. The man who drives his wife
from his bed, and procaims her shame IN the
streets, may please himself with that mode Of life;
but can he call it marriage!
II is doubt strong proof of the general attach
ment of the North to the Union, that its enemies
arc compelled, by the force Of public opinion, to
pretend themselves its friends. And yet the in
sidious warfare which they thus carry on, is more
dangerous than open attack. II is necessary to
tear away the veil which conceals their designs,
and expose the inevitable tendency OF their inca
sures. 1t is incumbent upon US to defend our con-
sututional Government and vlndicate before ehris,
tendon our character as a nation. Let us fepel
with and Indignation the accusation that our
fathers entered into compact condemned by
Heaven, and with but ono parallel IN its iniquity
(for SO we have been told) in the history OF the
world. Save US from such friends Of tho Union as
these Their false doctrine can hurt more than all
the powers Of the earth. When such shall be the
lessons taught in the schools and preached from
the pupts, the time will be come to burn the Cap.
itol and tear down the monument OF Washington.
For think there not many who could support
a government which made them infamous in this
life, and exposed them TO damnnuon In the ne1t.
yond all others; who have seen your city spring as
by magic To place among the great capitals Of the
world; who are already the merchants and carriers
of continent. and may look 70 become the com
mercial centre Of the gobe it 10 for you especially
to vindicate the form and maintain the supremacy
of our Federal Government. The Constitution OF
the United States Il the talisman OF your
1t is the fountain whence your riches and magnih-
cence have unceasingly flowed; and when that fails
your decay will begin. It is in your power, from
your numbers and wealth, from the unanimity OF
ties Of communication, and your command over the
press, to exert a great and wholesome lnnuence
upon public opinion. Join to these advantages
discreet resolueness and you will triumph over all
obstacles.
II is my fixed belief formed at least upon much
observation and reflection. that the continuance Of
the Union depends upon the suppression Of section
al controversy upon the subject OF slavery. that
controversy shall he renewed now. have no hope
that it will end If it is to continue always,
the Union will be worthless, nay, curse. BE not
deceived by false signs; agitation is suspended,
not abandoned. The ambitious hopes that depend
upon it will not voluntarily die. Watch it in its
incipient movements; crush It before It gains
strength. There is no option; you must kill it or
it will kill you.
ferior only to the Constitution in sacredness They
are to be regarded az in the nature Of a compact,
that may not be changed at the will of one of the
parties, but only by the consent Of both; ! see
one way (and only one) to secure this result; but
that is very simple, very certain, and requires no
thing but concert of action to make 1t perfectly
successful. Let the men for whom you vote be
Wings or Democrats, as you may prefer the one or
the other; but be sure above all else, that they will
STAND nv THE SETTLEMENT. If that shall be main
tanned, the Constitution upheld. and the Union pre-
served shall sleep soundly, whether the duties be
specific or ad valorem
am, very respectfully, &c
To Mersrs. F. S. Lathrop, Francis Griffin, E. K.
Collins, and others, committee.
From the Hon. J. McDo.csl, M, c. from Yirginia,
WAsHiNeToN CRY, Feb. 81, 1850
GENTLEMEN: My engagements here, official and
other, constran me to say, in answer to the invita-
ton which you have honored me with, to a "Union
dinner" to be given by citizens of New York on the
22d instant at Nibo's saloon, Gin celebration of
Washington's birthday" that it is wholly out Of
my power to accept it and to join you on that
occasion.
could not but regret the necessity of declining,
at any time, an invitation 20 complimentary and
gratifying to in every respect as this, but, at
present, do more than rcgret-I lament il as
painful privaton. My poor presence, indeed,
could add nothing whatsoever, as ! we'll know, to
a e LIB AsN,,