The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-25
New Edition OF mr.. Wsbster's spesches Diplo
matte Papen-Unpublshsd Letter OF Madison

New Edition OF mr.. w.bstsr's Speeches and Diplo
matte Papers-UnpublishsdL Letter Of Mr. Madisoa
BY the poliieness OF the publishers Messrs. Little &
Brown, of Boston, have had opportunity look
the FIRST volume of their very elegantly edition
Of Mr. Webser's Speeches and Writings, which is now
passing through the press, and will be published
This edition (Which, from the style Of it's execution is
likely supersede all the previous collections OF Mr.
Websers works. in six volumes, and to the first Of them
prexed full biographical and critical notice from the
pen OF Edward Everett II is written with all the classic
grace OF manner which distinguishes the compositions OF
its author and, while does not shrink from the usth
cation OF the and doctrines which have
petely identified Mr.. Webster from his youth up. with
the errors OF the deral-whg party STILL il is we think
skully toned doica TO something like the nopdry pitch,
which is suited 10 what at present appears TO be Mr.
Websiefs political position In this respect however the
whole matter is easily understood, and Mr. Everers
connexion with it, the author OF the address at the aie
Webster wing party nomination meeting in Boston, is
so clearly recognised that his biographical sketch, how
ably and gracefully executed will have no effect
towards the creation OF third party. All the old
and unpopular wing errors of Mr. Webster will be
found 10 be put on record in IL, and will be none
the less wing, and the less unpopular because pre-
scented in very smooth periods by Mr. Everett.
In looking over the Biography, however. we find a
letter OF Mr. Madison, never before published II was
addressed to Mr. Webster Immediately after the pubica
ton OF his speech in reply to Mr.. Cahouns upon his
celebrated resolutions and bears reference to the ques
tons then in controversy. Our readers will perceive
that the positions taken by Mr. Madison in this letter
are substantially the those more deliberately
maintained in his celebrated letter TO Mr. Everett
mil af ,vh,c haa hao,
before The public The following is the letter alluded 10
MONTPELIER, March is. 1899
my DEAR SIR return my thanks for the copy of your
laie very powerful speech IN the Senate of the United
States. II brushes nuhcation, and must hasten an
abandonment of secession. But this lodges the blow
BY confoundng the claim TO secede AT will with the right
OF seeding from noleable oppression. The former
swers ITSELF being violation without OF faith
solemny pledged. The latter is another only for
revolution. about which there no heoebc controversy
Its double aspect nevertheless with the couDtenance
celved from certain quarters, is giving popular cur.
rency here which may influence the approaching cleo.
tons both for Congress and for the Stale legislature IL
has gained some advantage also by mixing itself with the
question, whether the constitution OF the United States
was formed by the people or BY the States, under
iheoretc discussion by animated partsans.
II ~ fortunate when disputed theories be decided
By undsputed facts and here the undspned fact is that
the constitution was made by the people, bu, mbodied
into the several States who were parties TO IT, and
therefore made by the States in their highest nuhonla
tive capacity They might, by the same authority and
by the same process have converted the confederacy into
mere league or treaty. or continued with enlarged or
abridged powers or have mbodied the people OF their
respective States into one people, nation or sovereignty
or as they did, by mixed FORM make them one peo
so for others -
- The constitution of the United States being estab
shed oy competent auihory-by that OF the sovereign
people OF The several States who parties to itt re-
mains only TO inquire what the constitution is; and here
speaks ior isef II organizes government into the
usual legislative executive, and judiciary departments
invests y with specified powers, leaving others TO the
parties TO the constitution. II makes the government
places at lie command the needfu physical means of