The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-03-09
LETTER FROM SENATOR BELL.

LETTER FROM SENATOR BELL.
We find in the New York Express of the
23d ult., the following letter from Hon. John
Bell, to committee on behalf of the Order
of United Americans of the State Of New
York" in reply to an invitation to join with
them, at Albany, on the 23d, in celebrating
the birthday of Washington:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 90, 1855.
GENTLEMEN: The invitation you did me
the honor to address to me, in behalf of the
Order of United Americans of the State of
New York, to unite with them in celebrating,
according to their usual custom, the coming
anniversary of the birth of Washington, was
received several days since, and ! must beg
that you will not impute to me any Intentional
discourtesy in failing to reply to II promptly.
Ii was accidents, and the consequence of the
constant succession of demands upon the mt
tention of member of Congress near the
close of n short session.
In your letter of invitation you state that
it is the object of your order sever 20 keep
alive in the hearts of the people tile teachings
of the farewell address of the immortal
Washington, and to promote and cherish
filial love for this noble land of their birth;'
that yon propose again to celebrate the birth
day of Washington, with sentiments OF VEN
Grafton for his memory, a profound respect
for the precppts he taught, aud to reiteratr
your determination to initiate his virtues, and
adhere to his advice" No day in the year,
save one, in my judgment, so well deserves
to be observed us national anniversary, and
IA, To taA ,rit ia,
and imposing ceremonies as the twehty-se-
cond of February by American ciIizens.-
Washington led our armies To victory IN the
momentous struggle for national indep"n-
dence. To the authority of his great name
and the just weight of his cOunses, we are
mainly indebted for the constitution-th"
bond of the union between the States, with
out which the blood and treasure expended
in the revolution would have been unavailing
sacrifices; and while to him, more than to any
other individual, belongs the glory Of having
been the founder of the Union, the wisdom
of the warnings and precepts of his farewell
address-unless the American people shall,
unhappily, forget to duly honor his memory
will secure for him in after ages the super
added glory of having been its preserver.-
Nothing, then, can be more wise, patriotic and
noble, in the designs Of any association, than
to cherish and venerate his memory, to imi-
tate his virtues, and to keep alive in the hearts
of the people the teachings of his farewell
address. Indeed, the farewell address of
Washington should be embraced iE the course
of instruction in every primary school Of the
country.
In the further and more particular explana-
ton of the objects of your order, YOU qnote
the following passages from the preamble Of
its constitution:
1--WE disclaim all association with party
politics. We hold no connection with party
men. But we avow, distinctly, orr purpose
of doing whatever may seem best to us for
sustaining our national institutions, for up.
holding our national liberties, and for freeing
them from all foreign and perncious infu-
enccs whatever"
Promising that, in your disclaimer of all
association with party politics, or connection
with party men, presume that you simply
mean TO declare that you will have no affilia-
ton with the existing political parties, or par
ty leaders OF the country rs such, and that
the members of yotr order, while they do not
propose to be merely passive agents in the
dissemination Of sound and wholesome SEN
tments, but on the contrary are determined
to employ an organization more compact,
effective and powerful, than any ordinary
party association, and TO do whatever may
seem to them best in carrying ont the objects
of their order, yet that they ARE, ut the same
time, equally determined to resist, as far as
possible, TO avoid allogelh,- those views OF
political parties in general which have their |
origin in II selfish, merrenary and ignobIe !
ambition, and which tend so greatly to de-
grade them to the condition of mere factions,
can see no exceptionabe feature in the
programme of your order us above set forth |
On the contrary, TO sustain our national insti
tutions, to uphold our national liberties, and |
to maintain them in their operation and pro.
grrss, free from all foreign and deleterious
influences whatever, consider it TO he the
imperative duty of every American citizen. |
As to the means best adapted TO effect these
great purposes, men may differ, rs doubtless |
there will be some difference of opinion in |
regard to them among the members of Your |
order, but that they may be So fortunate as
to adopt the wiscst means and such as will |
secure the accomplishment OF those truly ma |
tional objects must be the ardeut wish of
every true American patriot.
Approaching highly the patriotic motives
and objects of your association, as declared |
in your letter, as do, have to regret tn
my public duties, ut this period Of the session
as | esteemed their obligations | must de-
cline 20 accept, while am grateful for the
compliment of your invitation Ia be present
on the occasion of your celebration of the
birth day of the Father of his Country.
am, gentlemen,
with sentiments of high respect,
your obedent servant,
JOHN BELL
Messrs. Charles Il. Gilderslceve, George II. |
Raymond, James II. Thayer, Committee,