The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-28
UNPUBLISHED LETTER FROM DANIEL WERsrs..

UNPUBLIsHED LETTER FROM DANIEL WEasTsR,-
The following reply by Mr.. Webster, to an in vi
tation to attend celebration of the temperance
cause in Hartford county, Md, is published in a
volume of personal "reminiscences and sketches.
by F. W. Thomas, esq, the we'll known author of
"Clinson Bradshaw" which has just been issued
by MIR. Hart of Philadelphia. The letter will be
read with interest Boston Journal.
MARsHFIELD, Oct. 8, 1851
GENTLEMEN: it is a matter of deep regret to
me that did not receive your kind letter of the
9Th of August till very late day. | was in the
mountains of New Hampshire, Ia king breath of
my native air, and it the last of August before
returned. know not whether, if had received
your communication sooner, it would be in NV
power to attend The meeting to which | was in
vited, but should have been able to have given a
more timely answer.
There can be no question that the TEMPERANCE
movement IN the United States has done infinite
good The moral influence of the temperanc as
soclatlons has been everywhere felt and ALWAYS
with beneficial results. In some cases. it is true
the temperance measures have been carried to ex
cess, where they evoked legislative penalties, and
sought to enforce the virtue of temperance by the
power of the law To certain extent this no
doubt ia justltable and useful; but it is the moral
principle OF temperance, it is the conscientious
duty which it teaches, to abstain from Intoxicating
draughts, such as are hurtful both to mind and
body, which are the great agents for the reforma
ton of manners in this respect
Your order is quite right in connecting bepevo
lence and charity with temperance They NAV
we'll 60 hand hand He whose faculties are
never debauched or supplied, whose mind is al
ways active and alert, and who practices seIf
denial, is naturally drawn to consider the deserv
ing objects which about him that NAV be Door
sirk, or diseased.
LOVE, PURITY, and FIpELITY, are considered
Christian virtues; and hope that those "banners"
which bear these words for their motto NAV rise
higher and higher, and float more and more
widely through this and all other countries
You have invited me, gentlemen, if could at
tend the meeting, to address the members of your
order on the great subject of Union. should have
done 80 with pleasure, although do not propose to
continue the practice of addressing great multi
tudes OF men; yet could not have refused to have
expressed my opinions on the great topics of the
day. Out OF the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh
pray you to be assured, gentlemen that value
highly the opinion you have expressed for my pub.
lie character and conduct; and indulge the hope
that may ere long meet some of you in the CITY
where my public duties are discharged and, most
OF all, fervently trust that you and |, and your
children and my children, will remain fellow.
citizens OF one great united Republic SO long as
society shall exist among us. While live, every
effort In my power, whether made in public or in
private life, will be devoted to the promotion of
that great end.
am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your OBLIGED
friend and fellow citizen,
DANIEL WErsrER