Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-04-19
Correspondence.
ALEXANDRIA, April sth, 1852.


HON. DANIEL WEBSTER:
SIR The nstional reputation which
you have earned, the position you now
occupy before the country as one of its
leading statesman. and more than all, your
fidelity to great National Wing principles,
must be my excuse for addressing you up
on subject now Of peculiar interest 10
the Wing party Of the South.
1t cannot be denied, that in all the
sectional contests that have agitated and
convulscd the country, the Wings of the
South have shown conservative; nation
al spirit. They have always been ready
to give a cordial support to Northern men.
however they might differ from them on
abstract 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 as the 'Compro-
mise and after the evidence Of acquies-
cence both at the North and South, in
these measures, and more especially after
the decided expression of the Wing eau
Gus, at the commencement Of the present
session of Congress, we had supposed that
the question of Slavery would no longer
prevent concert of action among the
Wings in the various sections ofthe Union,
but that an effort would be made to give
success to the principles ofthe adjustment
bill, so essential TO the best interests Of the
whole country. IT, however, the recent
vote in the House of Representatives
upon the resolutions Of Messrs. Jackson
and Hillyer, be fair indication of public
sentiment at the North-if the question of
the Fugitive Slave law is again to be made
the subject of agitation-if this plain provi-
sion of the Constitution is to be considered
Of no binding force and obligation upon the
North, then the paths of tho North and
South diverge. The Constitution guaran-
tees to every section It's rights, it imposes
duties which no section is at liberty TO dis
regard, and go far as the Wing party at tie
South is concerned. ii cannot honestly act
withthose who treat as a thing Of naught lis
sacred obligations. 1t is 10 be hoped,
however, that this is not the purpose of
Northern Wings. 1t is to be hoped that
the votes on the resolutions 10 which
have referred, do not express the sent-
ment of the Wing party at the North on
the subjects to which hey relate.
You have the means of knowing the
state of public sentiment at the North.-
You have been identified with no section
in sectional controversies-Yo GU, sir, occu-
ply position from which you can speak
plainly. and doubt not your advice will
be needed. We are aware that you diff
fer from many Southern Wings upon the
abstract question ofslavery, but we also
know that you have always stood forth
the bold and fearless defender of the con
stitutlon, and so far as that instrument
guarantees them to us, You have been the
advocates of the rights ofMe South.
What then, in your opinion, has the
South right to expect from the North!
Upon what platform are the Wings North
aud South TO stand in the coming contest!
| Is the Constitution 10 be the bond of I'M
ion between theml Are the late adjust
ment measures to be considered a final
settlement in principle and substance of all
the subjects which they embrace, or is
the Wing party hencelorthto be section
al instead ola National party. These are
the questions which address themselves to
the friends of the Constitution, the friends
of the Union. They are questions upon
which the patriotic of all parties should
speak out their sentiments. May we not
hope that we shall have the benefit of your
COUNSEL Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
G.. A. TAVENNER.