Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-06
Fryrl the Washington Gonstitaiioa.
pTTrp EDON ny BppStnFNT pIrpNI

We have been shown private letter from ex-Presi.
dent Pierce to friend in this city, written IL is true in
the course of friendly correspondence and with
view TO publication But we think the people are en-
titled to the views Of we'll known aud triad public SER
wants Who have eroyed large share Of the public
dence have requested copy Of this letter for this
ISSUE We recognize in every line Of it spirit of pa,r
otism and devotion to the whole country which will in
sure the attentive perusa Of every reader:
LOWELL, Mass, Nov. &C. 1850.
Nv Dear Sir Your letter was received a, Concord on
Saturday and should have answered il while ere if
could have found little interval Of leisure. am here
to day on business and therefore do scarcely
than to thank you but let so much at least be said
The apprehensons which yon so fOrciby express did
not increase mine. You know how sincerely and earn
ertly have for years deprecated the which If not
removed foresaw produce the fearful crisis which
ia now upon us and know how inesctual in this
ton have been s warnings OF patriotism and ordinary
forecast. Now for the first time, men are compelled to
open their eyes ifaroused from strange deuson
upon full view Of the pearness snd magnitude Of i'm.
pending calamities IL Is worse than ide-it is fool
hadyo discuss the question Improbable relative suffer.
ing and loss in different sections Of the Union. In
of disruption We shall all be involved In hnan-
cial embarrassment and ruin and fear in common de.
strucion 30 much more appalling than any attendant
upon sacrifice of property, that one invounarily
turns even from its contemplation. To my mind one
thing Is Oearno Vise man can under existing oircum-
stances dream Of coercion The first blow struck 10 that
direction will be blow fatal even to hope.
You have observed Of course, how seriously comm er-
cia confidence snd consequently the price of stocks,
&c, have Aileady bseG sHakel Vt the Eorth aai yet
there In the public mind very imperfect apprehen-
sion of the real danger Still there are indications of
disposition to repeal laws directed Sgainst the conStitu.
tional rights of the Southern statessuch person.
al liberty bills" eto-and if could gain little time
there would seem to be ground of hope that these ut
Causes Of dstrast and dissatisfaction may be removed
trust the South will make large draft on their de-
voon to the Unon and be guided by the wise modera-
boR Slish the esgepcy 80 earnestly calls for Can t be
that this Aig, Win ell be stars id ther places u no losg
er to Aoat at home-sbroad aud always emblem Of
our unit,d power common freedom and unchallenged
security? Can it be that il is to 60 down in darkness II
no. in biOsd bsrc.e PIP haYe enPpeted siHgle centu-
ry Of our ird ,pendent NATIONAL eEisiences
agree With ron that madness has ruled the hQlr In
pushing fOrwaTd liue of aggressions upon the South,
but will not despair OF returning reason, and OF
awakened sense Of Constitutional right and duty will
still look with earnest hope for the full and speedy vnd
cation of the eocQual rights and cOequL obligations Of
these stass and ar resered teruy under the present
Constitution secured BY NiDg the eIAu:
pie Of the fathers Of the Republic fraternity based upon
admission and cheerful mantAnaucs Of all the provisions