Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-08-30
Letter from Edward Bates.

The following letter was addressed by the Hon
EpwAsD BArxs. Of Missouri to committee Of the
Opposition in Memphis. who had invited him to
unite In celebration Of the recent Congressional
victory in that State. Il brcathss the right spirit
ST. LOUIS. August 20, 1859.
Hoa Ieye. Clemens aud Okhers- CommHfee 81 In
-itai,os, Eemphis, 7sHnessee.
SuRs: feel myself especially honored in re-
Iceiyng your kind invitation TO attend q Grand
Jubilee Of The Opposition party. TO be held at Mem
phis, on the 18th instant, in celebration Of your
recent victory 10 Tennessee
II 10 with sorrow that am constrained to deny
myself the pleasure Of joining You In the celebra
ton Of an event 50 honorable 70 the gallant men
Of Tennessee. and, % promising Of good to the
country. Sickness and recent death ia my fami'
Ily have SO disarranged my rlsns for the summer
vacation, a. to force me % this sef-denial.
Il plcases me very much, gentlemen, to find
that you designate the band Of patriots who have
lately done the good work in Tennessee, ms The
Opposition Party. The name implies that the
party Ia mndc Of the good men Of other parties -
Democrats, Wings Americans, Republicans--al
who can no longer brocl the wild extravaganza
and wanton disregard Of principle in mn Admins
ltration and party, which, emboldened by former
unmeritcd success, vanly imagine that they can
afford 10 disregard the censures OF the world aud
to despise the judgment Of history.
|
Of itself, a weak and helpless minority. 1t hns no
chance Of renewed success but the hope trust
vain and fallacious hope) that Ue will DO 80 I'M
wise and unpatriotic rs to waste our strength III
pctty chickering's about old party names and ru-
Idordnatc questions of policy and convenience and
to split up our forces into platoons and sections,
rs II for the very purpose OF enbling our inferior
enemy to beat us all in detail. II we be 80 I'M
wise M thnt--if wo allow the adversary to form
IF main Tn IN hal
to tell us when 10 march, and where to camp. and
how to fight, of course we will got what we de-
lserye-delcat And by mere folly, we will Md
to the humiliation Of defeat. the sting Of SHINE. in
the consciousness that we had in our hand tho
means Of victory and the assurance Of tho peace
and prosperity of the Nation. but wanonly threw
them away However it may be elsewhere, am
sure il will not be so in Tennessee Her gallant
sons are always ready when brave and generous
deeds are needful. Her younger patriots, high
spirited and bold against the cncny. but mild and
lforbearing 10 each other, will march, III cordial
union on to victory. their warm zeal guided aud,
if need be, restrained and tempered by the cool
wisdom and prudence Of the veteran Bell.
Your recent victory, and similar successes IN
other Southern aud Western States emboiden mo
TO hope for the like good result NIL over the Union.
Tho spirit of conservative patriotism is aroused,
throughout the Nation, by the dangerous misgov-
crnment and bold innovations Of the last lew
years ; and, in view of the great national inter
eats now in peril, better iechnga feeling Of
harmony and mutual confidence. OF all forhrarnnee
on minor points, ofgenerons concession in favor Of
peace and unity--is vs,bly increasing in nil tho
clements Of Me Opposition. Th"sc who foster and
advance TINT good feeling, and ripcn it into cor
dial union, will be great public benciacors. Sm'h
union alone will constitute the victory. without
tho necessity for anot'.er blow for tho pemoora'
cy, rs now cncrvatcd and 1emoralizcd, will lie 40
match for the nnied Opposition.
And such victory A victory in which all
even the vanquishci--will have cause t" rrer",
because il will restore peace and harmony To tho
excited sections, law aud order To tho disturbed
territories, moderation and Justice Ia the Govern
ment, aud prosperity and honor to the Nation.
Such at least is the earnest hope oi your obi gcd
friend aud iell0w-citizen. ED. BATES.