Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-09-03

the adoption OF the Federal Constitution,
BY that sacred compact, which consti-
tutcs the American Union one nation.
the nights and jurisdiction Of the South
en States were recognized and con-
hrmed by ell the rest. The actual state
OF their social relations Was the basis of
that compact; and we disclaim the right
and disbelieve the policy. and conde mn
the injustice Of all efforts to impair or
disturb solemn obligations thus imposed
upon ourselves by our free act, with a
full knowledge Of their nature and
bearing upon their political system, and
by an adherence TO which we have to-
gether prospered in peace and triumph
ed in war for nearly half century.
Entertaining these views, we solemnly
protest against the principles and con-
duct Of the few. who in their zeal would
scatter among our Southern brethren
hrebrands, arrows and death. We de-
plore the illusion Of greater (thouyh
we still believe a. malD number of esti-
mable, moral, and pious persons, who,
confiding in the purity of their motives.
but blind TO the appalling consequences,
unconsciously Cooperate with them in
their attempts to violate the sacred faith
OF treaties, and the plain principles of
international Law: And above all, we
regard with feelings of indignation and
disgust. the intrusion upon our domes-
tic relations Of alien emissaiies. sustain
ed by the funds Of foreign people
The National Government has uniform
ly acted upon the principle Of oon-
Intervention in the domestic policy of
foreign nations. and the people have
imposed restraints upon their sympa-
thies and feelings. which, had these
only been consulted, would have led
them to compel their government to a.
bandon its neutral position. Surely the
obligations which Confederated States
owe to each other are not less sacred
than those which regulate their conduct
towards foreign nations. The evils of
slavery fall more Immediately on those
among whom il exists. and they alone,
by natural and conventional right, are
competent to make laws under which
IT shall be mitigated, abolished, or en-
dured. These evils can only be agra
waited, to the discomfort and danger Of
the master, and the prejudice and mis-
cry Of the slave, by attempts to en-
croach upon this Jurisdiction.
Therefore. Resoired, That the pco-
pie Of the United States, by the Consti-
tuition under which by the divine bles-
sing they hold their most valuable po-
litical privileges, have solemnly agreed
with each other to leave to the rcspec-
tive States the jurisdiction pertaining
to the relation Of master and slave
within their boundaries, and that no
man or body Of men, except the people
or Government Of those States, can of
night do any act to dissolve or impair
the obligations ofthat contract.
Resolred, That we hold in reproba-
lion all attempts, in whatever guise they
may appear, to coerce any of the United
States to abolish slavery by appeals to
the terror Of the master or the passions
of the slave.
Resotred, That We disapprove OF all
associations instituted in the non-slaye-
holding States with an intent TO act
within the slave-holding States without
their consent. For the purpose OF Sc
curing freedom Of individual thought
and expression they are needless, and
they are inexpedient inasmuch as they
afford to those persons in the Southern
States, whose object it is to effect dis
solution of the Union, Of any such there
may be now or hereafter) a pretext for
the furtherance of their schemes.
| Resofred, that all measures. the natu-
raj and direct tendency Of which Is TO
excite the slaves of the South to revolt
or to spread among them a spirit of in
subordination, are repugnant to the du-
ties OF the man and the citizen, and
that where such measures become mani
tested by overt acts, which are cogniza-
bic by constitutional laws, we will aid
by all the means in our power in the
support Of those laws.
Resoired, That while we recommend
TO others the duty Of sacrificing their
opinions. passions, and sympaihies up
on the altar Of the laws, we are bound
to show that a regard to the supremacy
OF those laws is the rule Of our own con-
duct, and consequently TO deprecate
and oppose all tumulidary assemblies.
all riotous or violent proceedings, all
outrages on person and property. and
all illegal notions Of the right or duty of
executing summary and vindictive JUS
tce IN any mode unsanctioned by law.
The resolutions offered by Mr.. Fetch
or were then read by Mr.. Curtis. one
Of the Secretaries. The question being
on the adoption, the Hon. PELEG
SPRAGUE rose in their support. lie
thought the regulation or abolition Of
slavery within the exclusive care Of the
slave-holding States. He saw no good
that could result from agitating and in.
flaming the public mind at The North
on this solemn and delicate subject; not
# the excitement pervaded every sec
ton and State on this side Of the Poto-
mac.
What benefit would result from such
an excitement Il Il proposed 60 one.
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