Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-23


dence, and standing as former Representative in
Congress, that we give to it place in columns.
Letter from, Hon. VIM. Duer, Of California, in reply
10 an Invitation from Citizens Of Ospsgo 10 Public Dinner
OswEao, WEDNESDAY,, SEPT. 6, 1854.
GENTLEMEN: have had the pleasure to receive your
letter of the st instant inviting me- behalf Of my old
personal and political friends to public dinner at such
time may suit my convenience, prior to my departure
| from this place
| came here, gentlemen, to mngle and converse with
my old neighbors and friends and have had great plea
| sure in doing You will, trust pardon me if de-
cline the formal testimony which you tender to
Of your esteem You have already conferred upon me
more honors than Deserve and Ineed nonew proof Of
your regard the remembrance OF which shall carry
with me wherever my lot may be crst
You have expressed your aprI 9bation bf y
your Representative in Congress It was my fortune,
for will not say misfortune, to represent ysu at time
when questions pendingsectiona questions-whch
deeply agtated the passions of and affected in the
highest degree the welfare of the Republic. may have
erred in the course pursued; but SO far as man can
know his own heart, and am not unaccusomed to ana
yze my motives quite unconscious that was in
uenced in any degree whatever by passion, prejudice,
or party feeling any personal or selfish object.
acted as seemed best for common country and
there is no part Of my life to which now after inter
val of some years. look back with satisfaction
may say self-esteem.
When the Compromises of 1850 were passed there was
at first great dissatisfaction in portions of the North
That dissatisfaction founded in error
able and could not last. II there ground OF COM
plant any where it at the South, and not at the
North. OF the whole country acquired from Mexico to
which may be added that portion of Oregon to which
Great Britain renqushed her title by the treaty Of Wash
ington the South obtained part whatever ior her ia
vorte institution In every inch Of that vast territory
slavery prohibited by positive law in Oregon by act
Of Congress- in California by the act Of the people in
forming their State constitution and in New Mexico and
Utah by the old Mexican laws, which continued in force
till repealed and which both Houses of Congress express
ly refused to repeal The non-nervcntion Of 1850
non-interyenton with antslavery laws laws prohibit
ING slavery put left in force every where every
particle of territory of the United States he Indian Ter
rtory excepted) without the bounds of Stae and it
seems to me argument but insult to the under
standing to maintain that the principle Of that settlement
demands the removal of barriers to the introduction of
slavery. Well, gentlemen, in addition TO- this, large
portion of Texas ceded to the United States and
nexed to New Mexico, and thus practically converted
from slave into free territory 1T the title of Texas
was disputed Take it that it doubtful still it
something gained by the North; but 1t has always been
my strong conviction that under the joint resolution of
and the subsequent treaty with Mexico the
title Of Texas the boundaries claimed by her constu
ton and running westward to the Rio Grande could not
be disputed by the Federal Government But let that
pass. To Offset this what was here The Fugitive Slave
Law an considered measure, containing very OBJ
iectonable features which do not approve which
approved but which when passed thought it bet
ter to submit to rs part Of rather than to
49, = ~ y any ps sS s5ash j. rss ss.
sorinS to the decision 81 Mn Suptenfc Court
ted States, simply the discharge Of duty
and SO far was 1t from being any great boon to the South
that think il would not have been difficult to devise
measure much effective in practice, and to which
YET objection cond have been nerposed by those
lad Gnp
Gentlemen, when was in Congress l learnt some
things, as should have been very dull not to, which
did know before and among the rest that there
strong party in several Southern States not nconsder
able in numbers but more formidable from their talents
position and untring perseverance, with whom the dis
solution of the Union and establishment of Southern
Confederacy darling project indeed knew that
there such men before, but had greatly under
rated their numbers and power. Like most Northern
men, had thought that the idea Of dissolution of the
Union was entirely chmerica / came to think other
wise and believe that it great and real danger.
Although the to whom have referred had
ceeded except in single State, in rallyng majority to
the support their views yet there seemed proba-
biy that the day might come when they would do
Indeed if the quarrel about slavery to cease
the result would be anmosty, and at length 8
tiona hatred which would make the Union and
dispose all to seek its dissolution Such were my
opinons and therefore, being friend to the Union
sought to this danger sought for settlement
sectional controversies that should be permanent and
final; truce, but peace. Seeing that circum-
had determined the controversy In favor OF the
North willing that in point Of form, the settlement
should be in accordance with the wishes Of the South
Therefore willing to waive the Wimot proviso
did not wish to push brave men to the wall. did not
wish wound the pride hurt the feelings Of the South
desired Northern victory Northern supremacy,
but that might live honoraby equals under the
Constitution, believing that such Union only could be
lasting or was desirable. Iearnesty desired may say
onged for the restoration of harmony and kind feelings
between the members Of the Confederacy and the citizens
Of all the States To attain that result willing to
contribute my mite was willing to smother resentments
humble my PRIDE expose myself to the aspersons Of
enemies and the misunderstanding of friends. Such
settlement thought had obtained. was not indeed
so sanguine hope that sectional controversy would
nspsr be renewed; but believed should have peace
long peace. willing to contribute my mite. Oc-
cssonal quarrels the Union stand perpetual agita
ton on the subject of slavery fear cannot stand and
that is trial to which it seems now likely to be exposed
Gentlemen, you have invited me to address you on
" subjects of political and national concern )" you will
not therefore, trust consider me intrusive if old
friend who has no more favors to ask expect from
you but whose heart is full of gratitude for the past
offer few words of counsel and advice. supposed that
l. with others North and South had entered into an
agreement abide by the compromise Of 1850
and to abstain from agitation the subject of slavery
supposed that there agreement treaty to that
effect between the North and the South, consummated
and ratified by the action Of the Conventions of the great
political parties into which the nation is divided For
one believe that there is nothing earthly that could
have induced me violate that compact But the COM
pact is broken grossly and palpaby and the South is
responsible for the breach Gentlemen you keeny re-
sent this violation of faith This does not surprise me-
/ cannot blame you. Indeed, l do not see how any
Northern man do otherwise, if he have either the
feelings Of gentleman the spirit Of freeman do