Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-11-25

en,esn OF the twenty four States. cow con,
posing the Union, and by getting clear o!
our slaves we shall be able 10 maintain our
relative strength, A State OF that size can
manage lis internal concerns more advan-
togeously than larger one. And, as TO Sc
cUrity against foreign enemies, we all look
not 10 the State, but TO the General Govern
ment, for protection against them. The citi-
zens of Rhode Island, Illinois, or Of Della
ware, are as secure from foreign aggression.
as those OF Massachusetts,, New York Penn
sy lvania, or Virginia, as long as the Union
lasts; and when'it is dissolved, if, unfortu-
nalely, that should happen, it will not be into
as many independent Commonwealth as
there arc States, but into two or three grea,
confederaCles And, if we are TO be govern
ed by prudential considerations alone we ask
II 1t wall not be wiser for us to place our
selves IN situation 10 become the frontier
State OF the strong coniederacy of the centre,
rather than OF the weaker one of the South
But again, we may he asked how are we
TO succeed in getting the State divided: We
reply, simply by making it known that we
wish 1t : aud we have too much confidence
IN the good sense and magnanmitv of the
people OF Eastern Virginia, TO believe they
WIN attempt 10 continue The connection an
hour longer than we desire ii and 1t would
he unjust towards Congress 10 suppose, that
that body would withhold lis consent, when
our reasons for asking the division were
known
The last inquiry we'have 10 make, is, what
steps Is il proper Tor the friends of the mea-
sure which we recommend, TO take, TO en-
sure lis success: And, on this subject, we
shall be pleased TO see the opinions of those
who think the object desirable one, freely
expressed IN all the newspapers printed in
w esiern Virginia. For the present, we
take the liberty Of recommending, that com
mittees of vigilance be appointed in every
county throughout Western Virginia, whose
business it shall be 10 carry on a Correspond
ence with other committees ofthe same sort:
and TO use every fair means 10 difIuse infor-
nation among the people on this important
subject. IN which they are so deeply inter
ested. And We take the liberty OF suggest
ing, that it may be proper y call conven-
ton OF the friends OF the measure, 10 meet at.
some suitable place, on the 9TH day of July
next; or earlier, 10 devise the best means OF
eitecting the object desired.
In conclusion, let us remind YOU that the
present Is the accepted time the moment
Tor action! We have been too long sleeping
on the very verge OF volcano, the throes of
winch are already perceptblo, and which
threatens ere long 10 involve us in over
" helming destruction. 1t is time 10 be up
and doing, every hour we lose the difficulty
OF disposing Of QUE slaves is increasing upon
us, and there is no time 10 he lost in com
menclng the good work. We CALI on every
humane. every just, and every prudent man,
to unite IN one common effort 10 remedy the
great evils which we have been endcayoring,
most imperlectly, we admit ) 10 pourtray.
In asking for d division OF the Stale, let us
do II IN spirit Of the most perfect amity to-
wards our Eastern brethren. Letus, even
alter we shall become separate State, con-
tlnue TO cherish the same friendly feelings
towards them, that ought ever TO character
lie The citizens ofthe same great coniedera-
cy, IN their intercourse with each other.
Examine this subject for yourselves, fell
Iow-ciiizens, coolly and dispassionately, and
you will find, that, in recommending divi-
sion ofthe State, we are not actuated by the
mere love OF change, OF by any sinister mo-
tive And that in presUming TO address yon
upon question Of so much impoi lance, we
do not obey the mere impulse OF visionary
or reckless fanaticism, but the
soundest dictates Of
COMMON SENSE.