Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-18
Letter Of Col. Jno. b. Baldwin.

The following is the letter of Col. Baldwin to
the Committee who invited him to attend the
dinner rendered by the Bell and Everett Club OF
Richmond to the members of the Electoral Col
lege:
STAUNToN, Dec. 4, 1860.
Genttenaen:-I have received yours OF LIST.
inst, bringing me the kind invitation OF the
Wings of Richmond to be with them on to-mor-
row, at complimentary dinner to be given to
our Electors.
| shall be prevented from attending by a Sc
we're cold, which keeps me close prisoner at
home.
1t would give me sincere pleasure to be pres
ent on an occasion of so much interest, and to
meet the chosen leaders of party whose noble
stand for the Constitution and the Union has so
recently won for it the confidence and support
OF the people OF Virginia.
The success which has thus far attended our
efforts in Virginia is just cause for congratula-
ton and rejoicing, but the circumstances by
| which we are now surrounded should suggest to
us the caution "Let not him that girdeth on bis
harness boast himself as he that putteth it off. y
| If have correctly understood the principles
of the Union Wings Of Virginia, the time for
their practical assertion and earnest maintain
auce is just at hand.
Believing, as they do, that the Constitution Of
the United States fairly construed and faithfully
administered, is the best and most reliable de-
fence of all orr rights, they surely will not con
sent to give it up until all of its safeguards have
been tried in vain.
Convinced, as they are, that the American
Union, underlying and sustaining the Oonstitu
ton, and giving to it all OF its vitality and eff
cheney, is in truth, ''the palladium OF our polit
cal safety" they can never agree to abandon il
at the suggestion OF excitement or passion.
Having no hope that any future experiment O
Free Government will ever be made under cir
cumstaDces combining SO many elements calcu
lated to insure success as those under which the
American Union under the Constitution of the
United States was committed to the intelligence
and integrity of the American people, they mus
feel bound to stand by and maintain the Const
tutional Union of our fathers as the best the los
hope of Constitutional liberty in the world.
trust that the Wings OF Richmond and til,
distinguished guests to whom they pay merite(
honor, will all go forth from tomorrOw's confer
Ience prepared to cooperate in every effort t.
advance sound Union principles as being really
the best Southern principles and the best Vir
lginia principles.
am, gentlemen, with high respect,
Your fellow citizen,
Ioe - 81 JOHN B. BALDWIN.
Messrs. Evans, Freeland, Mcdonald, Whitfield,
and Dickinson, Committee, &c.
The Constitution Of the United States-Th
many checks and balances which it provides a
safeguards against the excitements and excesse
incident to all free Governments, constitute
lstanding appeal from the temporary passion t
the deliberate judgment of the American people
and declaration of confidence in the intellgenc
and integrity of that Judgment.
If this confidence OF our fathers has been mis-
placed, Constitutional Republicanism is failure
What friend OF American liberty would abando
their appeal before it has been fully tried.