Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1832-12-27

Iroa 1uE rREE rKr,,
TIE ToCsIN-No. I.


Under the above title, the writer of o.
designs, ia few brief numbers, to ,nyI,e,t,
GLENN and dispassionate consideration Of H.
eople OF Jefferson, to subject q. the u,o,r
farming importance, involving. perhaps more
deeply their interests and hoppmess th.,
those Of any other portion 81 the Init,
States. This is 4 startling proro~it.on-y,t
II Is susceptible Of the eltarc d,monstra.
ton and IL bchooyes us not, like the slury,rl
OF old, TO say To ourselves, a litlle more sl,cr
and little more slumber. and a little noro
folding of the arms 10 sleep, when the deati.
fraught tocsin of anarchy and disunion ha,h
already been sounded in our ears need
scarcely add that ] allude To- the rapid De,
sclopcmcnt Of southern nrilscstion. Until
within short tune past We were disposed
(Perhaps unwisely so) To regard tins subject
as involving halle else than the VAN struggle.
OF discontented faction, lac AIDED and spurrrd
on by few broken down politicians Of the
South. The aspect Of affairs has, how ever.
been entirely changed-and IL becomes every
patriot who values our liberties, and Justly
appreciates the exeellencics of our eIor,ou,
polite al institutions, To pause, and commend
himself TO the task Of deep .arncs, and anx-
lous reflection upon the sis VII ch all agree
N Just before Us. nc little cioud-spcck
which Tor several Year, past has hung ia our
southern SKY, causing little or no alarm for
Tho sccurty Of our good ship " The Union"
hssof late rapidly swsled into an ill-boding
and most portentous gloom, darkening the
whole horison, and already flashing its lurii
light upon the war path of anarchy and fra
icrnai bloodsked. But truce Ia these gene
raj reflections and bold metap hors. Ia the
brief space allotted TO this hSmber, your at
tention is respectfully called to wha; has taken
place and Is now TRANSPORTING upon this sub
Jcct in Virginia. Read carefully and critical
" The message Of our Governor, transmitting
10 the Legislature the ordinances aud resol,l-
TONS OF South Carolina, together with the
re-echo OF Gen. Brodnax, Of the House of
Delegates. Pierce through the limsy mask Of
mediation" and the friendly Offices Of vir-
GINA, and see wbat turks behind-as if two
hostile sovereigntics were about To arbitratc
their disputes by the bayonet and a third
would step in and cry forbear-forgetting that
Peradveuture the rejecting and consideratc
part oil the community may regard il rather
IN the light Of an ill-adyised aud causelcs,
rebellion. The character of a mediator is
ever an amiable one. And could we be as
sured that il was merely the design OF the
leading politicians Of Virginia 10 act in this
character, then should We bid them God
speed. But who can believe this How can
Virginia mediate between practical nulliica-
ton and the violated sanctity Of the Consti-
tntion? Who does not see that il - the de-
sign Of the Floyds and Brodnaxs of our State
10 connre some plausible pretext, to array
iNirginia-yes, our old and venerabls COM
monwealth-undeTt the detestable banner Of
Modification: How natural the consequence,
virginia will prefer her SAGE advice To tina
General Government to permit South Carroll
ma To nullify the federal laws, or TO walk
out oil the confederacy into tie embrace Of
treat Britain. The authorities at " ashin,-
u aAI 10. II
ties, IN maintaining the inyioIabiliiy Of the
Union and lis laws our mediation will have
been disregarded, for the plain reason that tho
Constitution forbids what NC would dictate.
Here then come up IN aid of the end ia view
our wounded pride and offended dignity, exas-
perated by strong sympathy for the South.
and anon We shall find Virginia arm la arm
and shoulder TO shoulder " ith Gov. Hamilton
and his phrebsed host, wagIng war against
the blood-bought liberties Of our land, and
seeking with unhallowed hands 10 tear down
The fair temple of our united strength. Yes,
icllow-cItizens Of jefferson, the issue j. alrea
dy made up for your decision: NuIh6catiou
or the Union: The farewell admoni,ions Of
the canonIZed Washington, or disunion nth
Ill It's fearful consequences. repeat again,
mat The crisis has arrived when YOU must
rouse up from your former indifference upon
this subject, and make a choice between th,,
alternative preScnted-an alternative which
involves the dearest interests Of your latest
Posterity. IL becomes not the crew of our
much admired and most gloriously construct
ed bark, (the National Consttution.) While
The heavings Of the deep already for,bode
'he approaching storm, To- lie slun.bcring in
Their berths. Such ll-tmed repose is too Of
Ten fatal; and the beautiful fabric which but
isw hours before rode il triumph upon the
mountain wave, sinks To rise no more.
Are the people Of Jefferson. and the other
counties on our northern border, prepared for
nulllfcat bon pare they willing. without rcsis
tahee, stn longer 10 be chained 10 tie car Of
,he hitherto dominant party Of our State, ard
dragged Involuntary 10 commit the foul act of
political p7ricide' Are we prepared 10 echo
back thc .laratlon Of Gen Brodnax. that
u spit We aust, Virginia must be border
state - ARE We willing Co lend our aid %
or'ns about the accomplishment &c Governor
iianiiton's celebrated anBuncistion, =" that a
great battle Is To be- fought on the bank. OF
the Potomac ," 70 these startling Inquiries.
What say the public presses q i.oudoun, &c
berkeIey, aud Frederick should these i'll
boding predictions. by the uadiicss Of III,
south, be reduced to dreadful reality, (which,
nnl Kind Heaven in its mercy aver. \ where
shall We s'snd' The high belize rent so,e-
Icisnties will not select the barren hill, u
iaHiax, or the other lover northern neck
counties for their battle ground. where sub
si-'enee add plumber do not abound--nor vet
The rugged regions 81 the border eountic, ON
our west We. then, shall be hOnOred hy
being made the " Nstlierlouds. !" Harpsrs-Fe,,j
a(griress, ard peaceful JeficrsOn he eompsI;ei
% iurnish tie Waterloo" upon whose yer
uhstained sol must be poured out in torrents
The best blood 81 our land brother strikip.
~ a brothers beatt-With other voc. un-
numbered" This number must here close.
10 subsequent ones, u viii be ue v ritter,
hniabiG cEdcnvor 10 point oui fof your con-
sideration, the course which his best rcfec-
ton has suggested a. proper Tor a., 20 pursue
i1 me approaching crisis and further H. vim
dirais The cause OF the C0nttitltigu add be