Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-21
The StaQaasa.
LETTER FROM EX.PRESaDENT PIERCE TO
YIE BOSTON UNION MEETING.
CONCORD, On H, December 2, 1859.

ME BOSIUN' UINION MEEAi1NO'
CONCORD, On H. December z, 1859.
GENTLEMEN: asn houored by the reception OF
your letter of the Sd Inst. Informing me that Is
proposed that citizens Of Massachusetts, who honor
and cherish tie Union, who mean to maintain the
Constutio of the United States, and faithfully to
carry out all its requirements and obligations, as
semble il, Faneuil Hall, on Thursday, the 9Th day
of December instant" and inviting me 10 be present
on that occasion.
Twenty Ave years ago one would have asked IN
Voluntarily, upon reading letter like that before
me, what are the dangers which threaten the
Union where are the men who do not honor and
cherish that Union--who do not "mean to MAN.
tain the Constitution Of the United States and latin
fully to carry out all its requirements and obga-
tionsy" Could we not then each for himself, have
promptly answered-the dangers, if they exist, are
too remote, and the men too inconsderabe IN num-
bers and too wild and extravagant in the principles
aud purposes which they avow, to make them the
cause of even serious consideration, much less OF
apprehension and disquietude.
How is it to-day? How is it to be tomorrow,
when patriotic hearts will beat in unison in the old
Cradle of Liberty and patriotic lips will repeat the
sentiments and doctrines which were Enumerated
there more than eighty years ago, while the men OF
Virginia were preparing their crude but trusty
weapons not especially to protect their own borders
which have now been ruthlessly invaded in violation
of all law, human and divine, but to come to Massa-
chusetts and mingle their blood with that Of our
fathers in defence of the common cause.
Undisputed requirements of the Constitution, al
fectng the rights the security of life and property
Of the sons of Virginia's revolutionary men, are
set at nought Lessons intoxicating dsobedence to
such requirements have been scattered broadcast IN
our community, and have borne their fruits, not
merely IN the exhibition of an lnsurrectonary
.,r;t h,,f invasion Of sister State bV
an armed organization, the objects of which are not
disguised This is not ALL The invasion, and the
overt acts of treason and murder, are openly usti-
fled and applauded at large meetings of men and
women in your midst.
This is a sad truth, but not disheartening. 1t
NAV be we'll that circumstances have occurred to
arouse us from our lethargy, and to compel US to
open our eyes, as if from the delusion of dream,
to the nearness and magnitude of impending calam-
ties 1t is comparatively safe to look dangers in the
face and meet them on the advance, but fatal to be
appalled, by them.
repeat, that the aspect of affairs dark as it con-
fessedly is, still is not disheartening because be-
lieve there are in New England and throughout the
Middle and Northwestern State, multitudes of con-
scientious and patriotic citizens moved it may be
at this moment, by sentiments differing widely from
those which will animate you tomorrow, but who
nevertheless would not wilfully and deliberately
shake single column which sustains the fabric OF
our existing Institutions who have been
msled upon the question Of duty and personal obi
cations, and who now, when they have practical il
ustraton, drawn in blood of the teachings to which
they have listened, and to which they may have
given their assent will pause long enough, at least
to take counsel of intelligent reason.
You, upon the soil of Massachusetts,, where the
first blood of the Revolution was shed, and where
Washington took command of the army in one of
the darkest periods in our countrys history, cannot
gaze listlessly upon the gathering Clouds and will
not bow tamely before the coming storm. We may
all have regarded with too much indifference the
swelling tide of reckless fanaticism, but We are not
too late to breast it If honest men, who really
think the Union worth preserving, will stand forth
in the majesty and strength of patriotism and law,
and with united purpose and becoming energy, they
can and will roll that tide back, to the dismay and
discontinue of all conspirators against the public
peace, and the integrity of the sacred bond which
holds us united people.
l am glad to perceive that your meeting is to he
composed of citizens Of various parties The high
resolve and the solemn duty to which have just
adverted rise above the range Of thoughts and mo-
tives which ordinarily connect themselves with poll
teal organization and party success. If we true
to ourselves if We revere the memory or appreciate
the services of our fathers shall forget in the
exigency of this crisis that there is, ever has
been, such thing as party in the Ordinary accepta
ton of the term. At all events we will forget it.
until through steady, united efforts we the
authority Of the Constitution vindicated and the
Union reposing again securely upon its old founda-
tons.
You are right in assuming that this is no time for
hesitancy; no time for doubling, hating halfway
professions or, indeed for mere professions of any
kind 1t is time for resolute purpose, to be fol-
lowed by decisive consistent action.
Shall the fundamental law of the land be obeyed
not with evasve reluctance but in good fidelity !?
Have We the power to enforce obedience to it, and
will We exercise that power? If SO, then may We
continue to enjoy the multiplied and multiplying
blessings of the peerless inheritance which has
been transmitted to us. If otherwise, fanatlcsm
has not mistaken the significance of its emblem
the national flag pith ''tAe Union down" That
has waved through three foreign wars with the Union
up; cheering the hearts of brave men, on sea and
land wherever its folds have unrolled in the smoke
OF battle! How many of our countrymen, as they
have it floating from the masthead in foreign
port or giving its ample sweep to the breeze over
consular office, have proudly and exultngly ex-
claimed: 81 am an American citizen, and there is
the ensign which commands for me respect and Sc
curity, wherever throughout the wide world may
roam, or wherever | may choose temporarily to
DWELL" How one would shut his eyes, and cover
his face in shame and SORROW if he believed he were
destined to see the day when that flag will float nc
more. And yet if agitators and conspirators car
have their way, it must 60 doom in darkness and
blood. In Republic like ours, law alone upholds
it, and when that loses its power all human powe,
to save is lost If such overwhelming disaster tt
humanity is to overtake u.s. l, for one, will not try
to peer through the darkness and blackness, or t.
foreknow the end
Let us act calmly deliberately, without passion
and without acrimony. Let us take no hasty o.
narrow view Of the causes which have produced tn
dangers We would meet and if possible avert. 1t il
not the recent invasion of Virginia which shoult
awaken our strongest apprehension, but the teach
ings, still vehemently persisted in, from which i
sprung with the inevitable necessity which evolves
the effect from the cause
So, again, it is to be remembered that those VIII
boldly approve and applaud the acts of treason an,
murder perpetrated within the limits of Virgins
are not the most dangerous enemies of the Consti
tuition and the Union. Subtle, crafty men-who
passing by duties and obligations habitually appea
to sectional prejudces and passions, by denouncin
fhn met k,,ksn nv,l l. e Al l.