Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-01-27
NAsntI1.lr. Jnn. 3. 1850.

dephia:
NASHVILLE, Jan. 3, 1860.
Gentiemen:--To say that regret the necessity
imposed upon me, by pressing business engagements
TO decline your invitation to be present at the din
ner on the 4th inst, with which you have honored
me- does not express adequately the disappointment
which the existence Of that necessity infcts upon
me. To have il in my power 10 unite with you In
paying just tribute to the character and public
services of the old and valued friend who is to be
your principal guest, would afford me the most sins
cere pleasure; but what most affects me is, that
cannot testify, by my presence, my high apprecia-
ton of the patriotic spirit which has prompted the
convivial meeting you propose and my deep sense
OF the Importance OF every such manifestation Of
ffatefnai feelings on the part Of citizens Of the
north, towards their oountrymen of the South AT
time like the present, when SO many CAUSES conf
bine TO distrust and excite discordant and bitter
feeling between the two sections such demonsra-
tions possess value which cannot be estimated;
and to be deprived at such PERIOD of the privilege
of contributing my mite of influence, however
small it may be- in fostering and rcciprocating the
liberal feelings and sentiments which animate you,
and those whom you MISUNDERSTANDING so large
portion of the Intelligence of the city OF Phila-
dephia-by meeting and communiDg with you and
them, feel to be personal misfortune.
The indignant terms in which you speak Of the
dltehipt ulhuc iOi party PURPOSES, 10 itateu Tue
charge upon the whole north, of sympathiziDg with
the wicked enterprise of John Brown and his asso-
ciates are but the natural expressions of resentful
innocence, under charge SO grossly unjust and, at
the same time, so mischievons Misguided and ia
natical men--men disloyal to every obligation So
cia and political-are TO be found in every commu-
nifty, but the oalty OF Philadelphia, and the State
to which she belongs, TO the Constitution and the
Union has been so long and fully established, that
Of
people entertain the sentiments and feelings impu-
ted to them, may well be spurncd with Indignation
and contempt. Form part in contemplating the
possible increase and aggravation Of the existing
sectional strife and discpd growing out Of the con-
tinued agatonsupon the subject Of slavery threats
ofdisunion continually resounding on the one side,
responded TO with defiance on the other-nlany good
men believing that the country is rapidly Fastening
TO fearful crisis-l have looked aud still look with
hope and confidence, in such contingency, to the
great and powerful commonwealth Of Pennsylvania,
TO her well known LOYALTY and devotion 10 the Con-
stituton and the Unions loyalty and devotion,
| trust and believe, as immovabe as her own noun
tans--to avert a fatal ISSUE
But as yet there are other and additional grounds
upon which build my hope and confidence, that
the present conflict of feeling and sentiment between
the north and south fierce and intense as IL Is and
irreconcilabe as itihay appeaf win not esat in the
desructioh,of our glorious coniederated Union.
have such confidence in tie good sense of the great
body Of the southern people that do not believe
that they win unite, with those among them who
desire disunon, in the adoption Of any measures like
ly TO lead TO such result without grayer causes 10
justify such course than any which now exist and
! have too much confidence in the moderation, good
sense and devotion 10 the Union Of great majority
of the northern people, however much they may be
opposed to slavery, TO believe that they will give
their sanction any counses or line Of policy tend
ing to aggravato the existing controversy. When
lose this confidence in the disposition Of the people
of the north and Of the SOUTH then, indeed | shall
despair Of the Republic,
am, gentlemen, with great and sincere regard
your fellow-citizcn.
! JOHN BELL.
To II. C. Carey, Esq, and others, Committee