The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-15

ALExASDRIA, April 8, 1852.
Sra: The national reputation which you have
| earned, the position you occupy before the
country AZ Of its leading statesmen, and. more
than all, your fidelity to great National Wing prin-
oplcs, must be my excuse for addressing you upon
a subject now Of peculiar interest to the Wing
party Of the South.
II cannot be denied, that In all the sectional con-
tests that have ogitated and convulsed the
try, the Wings of the South have shown a conserva-
tive-a national spirit. They have always been
ready to give cordial support to northern men,
however they might differ from them upon alb
stract questions; provided they were ready and
willing to abide by and sustain the compromises
Of the Constitution.
After the adoption by Congress Of the series Of
| measures known ne the "Compromisc," and after
the evidence Of acquicscence both at the North and
the South in those measures, and more cspc-
| cialiy after the decided expression by the Wing
| caucus, at the commencement of the present sos-
| sion Of Congress, VIC had supposed that the qucs
ton Of slavery would no longer prevent concert OF
action among the Wings in the various sections of
| the Union. but that an effort would b. made to
give success to the principles Of the Adjustment
bill, so essential to the beet interests Of the whole
| country. IT, however, the recent vote in the
House Of Representatives, upon the resolutions Of
Messrs jackson and Hillycr, be fair indication Of
| public sentiment at the North--if the question OF
the Fugitive Slave law is again to be made tho
subject Of agtation--if this plain provision of the
Constitution is TO be considered Of no binding force
and obligation upon the North, then the paths OF
the North and South divergc. The Constitution
guarantees to every section its rights; it imposes
duties which section is at liberty to Disregard;
and, so far os the Wing party at the South 10 con-
ccrncd, IL cannot honestly act with these who treat
as thing Of naught it's sacred obligations. IL IL
to be hoped, however that this lie not the purpose Of
| Northern Wings. II is TO be hoped that the vote
| on the resolutions to which ] have referred does
not express the sentiment Of the wbg party at the
North the subjects to which they relate.
You have the means of knowing the statc OF pub
| lie sentiment at the North You have been iden.
| tilted with no section in sectional controversies
| You, cir, occupy position from which you car
speak plainly, and doubt not your advice will bt
needed. We are aware that you differ from ma n y
/ Southern Wings upon the abstract question of Ella
very; but we also know that you have slways stood
forth tho bold and fearless defender Of the Consu
| tuition and, SO far ms that instrument guarantees
| them TO us, you have been the advocate oil the
rights Of The South.
| What, then, in your opinion, has the South .
| RIGHT 10 expect from the NORTH Upon what plat.
| form are the wings North and South 10 stand in
i the coming contest IL the Constitution II be tho
bond of union between thcnli Are the late Adjust.
| mept me asures 10 be considered final settlement
in nrnciplc and substance Of all the subjects which
they embrace; or lie the Wing party bcnceiorlh ia
| be a sectional instead Of great national party
These the questions which address themselves
to the friends Of the Constitution, the friends OF tho