The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-05-21
LETTER or
The Hon. EDWIN G. READE,
OF NORTH CAROLINA,
TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

1t has been said that representative ought
to keep near to his constituents, in order
that they may have the benefit of his inior-
nation, and he the benefit Of their instrac.
tions. shall not haze an opportunity Of
seeing you soon, and, therefore, | adopt this
method of communication. | am prompted to
it ut this time. because the country is in
peril, and its patriotism needs to be aroused,
and by the further consideration that nv
colleague, Mr.. Clingman, has written a letter
which is calculated. although not intended.
to mislead, and which, from the position and
reputation Of The author, is likely to have
wide circulation.
desire, in the FIRST place, TO give you such
information as | have in regard to the condi-
tion Of the country, its danger, and the cause.
And, in The next place, to suggest the reme-
dy.
Our country is Of vast extent; Of every va
riety Of climate. soil, productions, population,
and interests, and. withal is an experiment
in government; several independent sove.
reignties united id one--oae Of ,nany--and
! vet each retaining its soyereisnty-maay IN
one. That there should be perplcxitics and
difficulties is to be expected, especially when
the simplest forms Of government are not ex-
empt from them. That there should be ex-
citement and disputes is too natural 10 SUR
prise Us; but that, beyond this, there should
be actual violence and danger, ought 10 arouse
every man, who is capable ofappreciating the
beauty and excellence of our government,
and its example to the world, and Of imagin-
ing the shame and distraction Of lis failure,
or the evils Of its overthrow. If any indif,
ference does or can exist, it must be because
we have enjoyed the choicest blessings so
long, as TO suppose that there can be no end
to them; and have failed to remember the
lesson, that eternal vigilance is the price Of
them. do not desire 10 be an Giarmist, but
il is my duty TO occupy the position of a
wafchmGi, and to cry danger while it is yet
in the distance. think there is danger now.
The best informed think 50. Mr.. Chngman,
in his late letter, says:
That the ultimate destiny If our present political
system will be determined ~ events 10 occur Is
most probable
! am sorry 10 be obliged toagreeMitl him;
but desire 10 encourage the nope, that the
storm which threatens to uprOot, will only
steady and make Us tie Ermcr.
The causes Of this unsettled condition are
several; but that which seems 10 be prumi-
nent now, is the controversy III regard to
slavery. In tie same letter, Mr.. Cligman
saws:
The danger which now menaces the existence Of
the Federal Union. arises from feelings Of hostility
icrained IN the North towards the Southern section,
and especially the institution of negro slavery as il eS-
lists among us.
i have now stated the danger, have stated
one, al least, il net the main cause.
And now. my fellow. citizens. why should
the controversy between you and the North,
upon that subject, threaten the destruction 81
tie Union: That The North should be 0ppos-
ed to slavery, almost 10 man, and that you
should be in favor nf it, almost to man. j. just
what both sides expect. and i, IN fact. just
i what exists. But because YOU cannot think
alike, j. that any reason why you should de-
stroY Tie government: lou always have dif.
iered about il, and YOU have differed about
other matters; but you have always settled
4 them.
Iii 1890, Missouri asked 10 he admitted
rs State, into The Union. Her constitu
tinn allowed Of slavery. The North ubjectc,
10 her coming III, and there was a very dan
gerOus excitement abOu il. At length il wa.
compromised. ID this way il was agreed tia
Missouri should come ii a. slave state, ant
that all tie balance &c tie territory We had
should be divided bs linr right through ii
aud that all nprth of that line SHOULD be free
After this compromise. the public mind rest
ed quietly. And fDr this have tie high au
ihurity Of Mr. Giingman, whu, IN lis letter
Saws:
The anii-siasrFy fcling griiaaiis sul,.lrd there
iii Tie Nufihl and tie country remained quiet unit
1 now influence brought 70 bear on IL
Here, then. you See, We had our quarrel
and We compromised II, ani divided ont til
! mhule Of nur territory, and the country VA
quiet How much il i ii bc regretted tia
II could mt remain quiet lInw much il /
10 be regretted that ANY influence silnuld d
brought to bear, anil disturb tie nation
quiet But il has been said that,
!. The loag lean lizard Will mar llie lions rest"
Aud il ii il that something has bee
brought Il bear 70 break up The Z rest of til
people BE that influence what il may, il
an anhalluwed one. and deserves thr people
tcnsurc. Mr.. Clingman states that inilaenc
, as fellows:
Great britain hal acquired, hy tie force 81 b,
arms and skill IN diplomacy. immense possessions i
Asia. Her East Indian provinces alone contained MOI
than hundred millions u people, held Ii STATE
most ahcct .kvcry,' &c.
After guing on To shaw how cruelty thes
: people are treated By England. Mr. Clingina
, proceeds:
: "Thcsc miserable laborefs are mainly engaged
n .4.l. ID