New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-07
A LETTER FROM OLD IRoNsIDEs.
U. S. NAVY-YAED, PHLADrIPHiA, [

18th December, 1860.
GrsrIEnrS: bad the honor to receive. yesterday,
your notice relative to the Town Meeting to be held IN
Independence Square on Thursday, the 18th ins' at
noon in which you inform me that you had done me
the honor 10 name ue az one Of the Vice-presdens.
Considering Ioy position an officer under the
control Of the National Government, bound by solemn
oath to support the Constitution upon ichieh the CHon
as based, a sense Of decacy and propriey would have
preyented me from mixing with the great asscmblage
of our free sovereign and Independent people upon the
OCCASION referred to: but TO the honorable of my
name in the manner proposed BY you could have In
tcrposed no objection, if In your opinions, II earned
with il any weight in aid OF your Efforts 10 nulHy
notification such AZ darcs now to threaten severance
Of the bond of unon which holds this vast empire OF
the Western quadrature Of this world together, con
tanning as il does than thirty millions OF people,
all OF whom are in pursuit OF ME- hoery, ana IaPPl
mere fowhch patriot fathers fought and bied, and
as il would now seem for which they may have nam
dcred their last doliars, well as the panmony due
TO their poseiy in the struggle TO secure to US ihose
in valuable human rights handed down by them to their
children.
For more than sixty years of national service under
the Union Of these States have held 1t a. maxim,
that the honor Of officer In his countrys service,
pledged his fidelity TO bis constitutional OATH together
with his entire obedience to all laws passed By Con-
gets orders issued by proper authority IN conior-
nifty with the Constitution under which he seryes as
aso the exercise of "a sound discretion and deliberate
Judgment in all cases where the security OF lives an!
property inrusted TO his is involved-gving, al
the saIne time, due and deliberate reflection, be-
fore acting upon any matter arising within his CONTROL
which perchance might be circumscribcd by inter
national law, or by the honor or interest OF his
country.
These, gentlemen Of the Committee Of Councils, have
ever been my guiding during the long career Of
NV public service; and although IN that length OF time
many occasions have arisen wherein the application Of
Il,
with confidence | assert that, notwithstanding errurr
Of Judgment negligence of duty indifference 10 any
or all If them the finger of history cannot point To
single instance wherein have Jailed TO accomplish
them in d full, fair, and satisfactory manner.
As native OF this city, on the call VI my fellow
citizens had my views been essential what might
deem just honorable and patriotic, should have adj
yined rendition only 20 the South, bu 10 all the
Staies Of full fair and Constitutional redress OF All
grievances OF which they had Just right 10 nplain
OF their REIMBURSEMENT OF all oppressive nutinous
proceedings founded the aciio-, oi any Slae what
ever and restoration 10 the charter articles oil the
Constitution anything al which they may nave been
deprived through vicious, unfak haiti udinOus con-
strctiOn Of that instrument, rcyion Of the Con
situion itse which closey binds together M riadf
OF the human seeking under IL oil their nights
in pursuit Of honor, welfare and happiness. As an
important nation we should bear in mind that, through
the imperiectiDn Of human nature, no comJinAi0n,
even a the most profound and virtuous mnds can Ar
rive At perfecton and that all diicue- and dangers
canIo In rst essay in forming code FOR the porPe.
Unity and stability Of bond OF iraiernal brotherhood
and union be- orereen and provided Tor IN 20 extensive
a community of powers; aud our own unfortunate eN-
netience NAV teach ne in future that COMPROMISE
viii ever prove 20 be corrective for wrongs done
or medltaied.
NV voice il, millions for the redress Of Just grev
auees but not cent for imaginary one6. 1 have
The honor TO be your obedient servant and fellow
townslnan CHAs. STEWART,
W. BrADyoRD, esq, cbsnnAn Ph!sdslPhiA