Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-09-17

"u feSoHccuohs Oh common dangers, an
sufferings, and triumphs. were still alive
and the great fundamental axiom, 81 Uni
Ted we stand, divided VIC fall,n was adop
TED IN every mans creed, and would hav
insured the preservation Of q Federal sys
TEN. But II, after nearly bali century
experience ofnational prosperity, which |
without parallel. aud almost without mea
sure after realizing every political an,
social blessing that could be wished. an,
more than could be expected, consistent,
with the imperfection of all human ins,i
tntlons. the North and the South should b,
destined to separate through mere wsnton
ness oil prosperity, from the Incompatible
" OF temper and family quarrel., the di
vorce will be eternal FraternaI anger
more bitter and indispensable than that o
natural enemies, will snpplant tho inilu.
encc oil mutual good will. The temple Of
liberty would hrst be rent in twain. VIVA,
and how many unequal and misshaper
forms the parts would afterwards assume
no human sagacity can foresee. But the
uniform fate Of all disjointed confederate,
would compel US TO renounce the hope o.
seeing II rebuilt upon its four and twenty
pillars, polished after the smilitude of i
palace" Now. sir, il il were the object OF
our meeting here TO debate the expediency
OF taking measures for the abolition OF
slavery, should regard il as Identical with
The question Of dissolving the Union.
am sure IT would be so considered by the
southern states. My conviction result.
from forty years acquaintance with pro.
mInent individuals of those states, OF all
parties. and in ell vissitudes of par
W. BE assured that whenever that oues-
iion shall be agltated in our public assem-.
ones, under circumstances which should
indicate the prevalence or the probability
OF general sentiment in the free states
~ favor OF acting on that subject, the Uni
on Will be at an end They would regard
all such measures emanating from such
a sentiment as war in disguise upon their
iives, their property, their rights and ia /.
s'itu1ions. an outrage upon their pride and
honor, and the faith Of contracts--mena
chg The purity of their women, the safety
OF their children, the comforts of their
homes and their hearths, and, in a word.
OF all that man holds dear 10 these OBI
mons they might be mistaken, but in sup.
port Of them they would exhibit a srecia.
Gle oil unanlmiiy unparalleled among so
numerous population upon any subject,
az any time, IN any part Of the world -
hose opinions almost seem TO be instinc.
i've. They are in fact hereditary and ha
bitual from infancy TO age. The citizens
OF those states have o occasion for meet
lngs TO compare sentiments, for speeches
TO stimulate to action, for plans 10 arrange
ana organize means OF opposition. They
would be readyin the case supposed for a
levy en- naasse "a universal Lsndsturm--to
seixe and use for life or death whatever
arms their imprisoned resentment could
furnish, TO resist every approach to inter
ference with their domestic relations
Meetings indeed they have begun TO call
ana they are like the meetings Of clouds
charged with the same fiery material. the
occasional flashes Of which serve only to
show the stores of hidden thunder which
are in reserve.
Sir, happily for our country. there Is no
disposition 10 the people ofthis community,
nor believe, Of our cities or towns, to
sustain public discussion of q question
pregnant with these fatal Consequences
But tho time has arrived which makes il
part Of wisdom and safety TO look at this
question IN the distance, and fores,all its
spproach-to satisfy ourselves and others
that II ought never 10 be entertained, cx.
cept IN the exercise and expression Of indi.
vidual Judgment and opinion. And that
every effort intended TO propagate gene
raj sentiment favorable 10 the immediate
abolition OF slavery. is OF forbidding aspect
and ruinous tendency.
II has of late become certain, though
not yet perhaps generally known, that an
association has been formed in a neighbor
ms state. for the avowed purpose OF efTec
ting tho immediate abolition Of slarery -
Their number is at present comparatively
small and Insignificant but as they boast,
considerably augmented within the last
year. Their printed constitution and pro
ceedings, seen by me only within a few
days, frankly develope their desire to esta
blish auxiliary societies in every State and
municipality, and 10 enlist in The service
OF the cause, man, woman, and child
Ibis simple statement shows il to be q
dangerous association. A very rapid ex,
position Of the tendency of their principles
will prove them TO be not only imminent
~ dangerous, but hostile TO the spirit and
letter OF the constitution Of the Union.
VIII, IN order to make this apparent, cal
The recollection Of my fellow citizens Il
the history Of the Constitution itself and
compare the doctrines Of the constitution
with the canons of the anti slavery associ
alton, and demonstrate IL the latter be no,
yet an unlawful association (which som.
sound jurors think il 10 il is in fair wa
to become so, by IFS design to trench up
on the provisions of the Constitution b,
overt acts, and its tendency to break dow
that sacred palladium.
1t is well known. doubt not 10 all VIII,
hear me, that. prior to the revolution, th,
American colonies were, to all intents ant
purposes, independent of each other
They all owed a common allegiance tc
the mother country and TO that only. IN
every other political relation they stooC