Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-07-22
A letter from Mr.. Rives.

We published, on Saturday, an able and
patriotic letter from tho Hon. Robert c.
Winthrop, deprecating the further dis
cussion or agitation of the slavery ques-
ton, and sdmonisling the people to turn
their thoughts and energies in a worthier
direction We now give short letter, of
the same character, from the Hon. Wm.
! @. Rives, addressed to Hon. Hiram
Ketchum, of New York, and in reply to
the same resolution to which. Mr.. Win
throp responded. 1t is gratifying to see
such eminent statesmen casting their in
huence in the scale of the peace and hap
piness of the country, and in opposition
to the insane efforts of agitators and
fanatics, North and South. Here is Mr.
Rives's letter:
CASTLE HILL, Va, June 20, 1859
NJ Dear Sir IL have received, within
a day or two past, your letter of the 23d
inst, in which you do me the honor to re-
quest my views on the subject of resclu-
ton under consideration of the Wing
General Committee Of the city of N. York,
deprccating the further agitation of the
slavery question in our national politics,
and affirming the propriety and ex-
pediency of turning the public attention
to questions of more general and per-
vading character, with reference especially
to the great end of "binding together by
the ties Of interest aud fraternal affection
the various parts and sections Of our
widely extended republic"
To the wise and patriotic object of this
resolution most heartily subscribe. The
subject of domestic slavery has no proper
connection with our national politics. Its
general regulation is admitted by all to be
exclusively within the domain of State
laws and State Constitutions. The few
questions with regard to it that can come
within the province Of the General Gov
ernment are settled, once for all, by the
Constitution of the United States, and
have received a practical solution, in the
natural course of events, which leaves no
longer any motive of interest or duty
either to the non -slaveholding or the slave
holding States, for their continued agita-
ton.
Every dictate, on the contrary, of wis |
dom and patriotism demands that conten
tions fraught with so much peril to the
existence of the Union itself, as well as
threatening dangerous reactionary con-
sequences to the parties and interests con
cerned in them whether at the North or
the South, should cease. and give place to
the calm consideration of other and more
legitimate and urgent questions on which
the political freedom and happiness Of the
whole country depend.
These vital national questions can be
brought to safe and happy issue only by
the cordial cooperation of patriotic mon
in every section of the confederacy--a CO
operation hopeless, as all must see, while
an internecine controversy is waging on
sensitive and peculiarly exciting question,
of which the necessary effect, if not the
purpose, is to array section against Sec
tion in habitual and unrelenting strife.
Having recently had occasion to declare
my views very fully on the subject of your
communication, before an assemblage of
my fellow citizens at home, beg leave to
send you copy herewith of the remarks
then made by me, to which permit me to
add, with the expression Of my entire and
cordial sympathy, in the spirit which die
tated the resolution depending before
your committee, my ardent wishes for the
prevalence of those wise councils of har-
mony and Cancellation it inculcates in the
great interests of the national Union, lib
erty and progress.
Accept, | pray you, the sentiments Of
esteem and respect with which am, very
truly and faithfully, yours,
w. G.. RIyEs. 4
HIRAM KETcHUM, Esq, chairman of
Wing General Committee of the City of
New York. -t .lr