Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1832-12-20
THE FREE PRESS.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20.
Dosaments, Of high sad awful import, have
crowded In upoa us With such r.pidity, that we
feel utterly n loss Tor means TO dispose Of them
The Pre.ideats message has been spread before
our readers, and ve aov give the Psesideu,.
Preelsmstioe and the Governor message. We
have ssili on hand the Address Of the South Car
oiioa Convention to The people Of that State, and
The Address Of the same body 10 the people of the
United St.ses-,he concluding part Of which &C
gave in our last. So great Is the demand for the
Proeiams,ioa, that VIC feel bound to present il to
our readers With ~ little delay ~ possible. In
our next. we shall endcsvor 20 give tho South
hearing. Complaints are made by the people Of
South Carolina, that the Press out Of that State
has not 6iriy laid their arguments and complaints
before the pablie. Justice demands that they
should be heard, and the crisis calls for . FRYE
and full exposition Of the arguments on both aides
Of this momensous subject The Pres;tleut's
startling Proclamation, svowing his determine
ton 20 punish what he terms Tirassri, by the
sword, gives . renewed and profound interest to
The important and lsmen,sbie state Of affairs nov
existing in the United States.
These papers, TO which ve have Just alluded,
ere production, Of more than ordinary eloqucnee
IL Is Impossible for msn Of sr,lent feelings TO
red them without thrilling emotions. And yet
the consequences likely to result from them, arc
Of character to agitaie anil ,ieken the heart Of
the pssriot.w 10
For our Own part, standing, As we think se do
at this time, in the attitude Of impartial spec
tstor, 90 feel bound to say. there has been TOO
sSch Prceiptancy on both neies Will nothing
snt blood sppeasc the parties' VIII false sense
Of honor and dignity prevent reconciliation -
Nov Is the timc for the cool heads Of the nation
TO step forth. We cannot bear the idea Of frater-
nal blood being split in civil strife.
Much ~ we approve Of many Of the sentiments
avowed by the President-nuch as we admire the
glowing eloquenee in which he has clothed them
I'VE must say, his course has been injudicious,
because Il is calculated to widen the breach. We
already zee evidences OF its banefuI influence.
The people Of virginis-even those who have
heretofore denounced Nullihcation-eannot prr-
vent the natural sympathies Of their hearts from
turning to Carolina. They cannot bear the idea
OF the swords argument, even against delusion--
and, when the crisis shall come, if come il must,
90 far from using the weapons Of death ssain,,
their brethren, they will, they must interpo.e TO
stay the arm OF the oonqueror.
The Governor Of Virginia, in message hap
piiy conceived and beautifully expressed, has
brought the subject before the Icpi stature, and
eosnmittee nov la, charge Of the whole NATTER
II has already excited q feeling Of deep and agi-
tAting anxiety. The voice OF Virginia must be
raised ~ q mediator-and the madness Of party
must be stayed in its career. Never, in our day,
has the heart been filed vith 20 many painful
emotions.
We humbly think Il had better become the Pre-
sident 70 psuse-so have submitted the subject, in
spirit Of miidoess and magnanimity, to the COM
biaed wisdom Of Congress- Il would have been
time enough, when forbearanee, which seldom
ceases to be virtue, particularly With the pow
eriui. had been exhausted, TO wave the sword over
the heads Of the refractory. His presens prema-
eure display Of the red banner Of var, even tho
digni6ed By the association OF the star-spangIed
banner a the Union. will only have the inevitable
eject Of driving the vhoie South 70 the same no
s'tion Of South Carolina--for in macy respects
sheir interests aad long-cherished prineipies arc
the sAse-snd the natural tendency Of their syus-
pethies viii urge them 70 shield their weak. ban,
sAivairOus neighbOr, from the strong arm Of
power.