The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-04-30
MIR. WEBSTER AND THE COMPROa
MISE

Mr.. G. A. Tavenner, of Alexandria, having
addressed Mr.. Webster on the subject of the
Compromise, has drawn from him the fol-
lowing reply, which is published in the Alex
andria Gazette:
WAsHiGToN, April 10, 1852.
DEAR Sir: have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter Of the Sth inst,
and thank you for what you arc pleased to
say of my fidelity to great national Wing
principles. trust there is not Il man in the
country who doubts my appreciation of those
measures, which are usually called 'Compro-
mise Measures" or my fixed determination to
uphold them steadily and firmly. Nothing
but deep sense of duty led me to take the
part which did take, in bringing about their
adoption by Congress, and that same sense of
duty remains with unabated force. am of
opinion that those measures, one and all,
were necessary and cxpedicnt, and ought to
be adhered to by all friends of the Constitu-
ton, and all lovers of their country. That
one among them whicl, appears to have given
the greatest dissatisfaction, mean the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, l hold to be Il law entirely
constitutional, highly proper, and absolutely
essential to the peace of the county. Such
Il law is demanded by the plain written words
of the Constitution; and how any man can
wish to abrogate or destroy it, and ut the
same time say that he is q supporter of the
Constitution, and willing to adhere to those
provisions in it, which are clear and positive
iniunctions and restraints, passes my power
of comprehension. My belief is, that when
the passions of men slbsidc, and reason and
true patriotism are allowed to have their prop
cr sway, the public mind, North and South,
will come to u proper state upon these ques-
tions. do not believe that further agitation
can make any considerable progress at the
North. The great mass of the people. ] am
sure, are sound, and have no wish to interfere
with such things as are, by the Constitution,
placed under the exclusive control of the
separate States. have noticed indeed, not
without regret, certain proceedings to which
you have alluded, and in regard to these, |
have to say, that gentlemen may not think it
Necessary or proper, that they should be call
ed upon to affirm, by resolution, that which is
already the existing law of the land. That
any positive movement to repeal or altar any
or all the Compromise mcausures would meet
with any general encouragement or support,
do not ut all believe. But, however that
may be, my own sentiments remain and are
likely to remain quite unchanged. l am in
favor of upholding the Constitution, in the
general, and all its particulars. ain in IA
Sor S of respecting its authority and obcying
its injunctons and to the end of life shall
do ali in my power to fulfil honestly and
faithfully all its provisions. look upor the
Compromise measures us u proper, fair, and
final adjustment of the questions to which
they relate, and no re-agitation Of tlloscqucsi
tions, no new opening of them, no effort to
create dissatisfaction with them will ever re-
ceivc from me the least cOuntenancc or sup
port, concurrence or approval, at any tmc OF
under any circumstances, ! am, with regard,
your obcdicnt servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
G. A. T,yEYyER. Esq;