Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-12-21

OF Tree institutions, of peace and of tru
philanthropy, to strive to avert.
Alive to these impending dangers
and IN discharge of their high respon
sibility to the Commonwealth, the las
Legislature of Virginia, after the full
It consideration, addressed resolution.
The non-slaveholding States, request
ing them to adopt measures e~ffectually
to suppress abolition societies, and ar.
rest all publications dangerous to GU,
peace. Without concert, but from ST.
m!lar views ofthe evil, and of the re.
medy, the Southern States, all about
the same period, adopted a similar
course. The States of New York.
Maine, and Ohio, have alone, up to
this time, responded to the request ad,
dressed to them, in communications
which have now the honor to Law be-
fore you. No opportunity has as vet,
1t is believed, been afforded to the Le-
gislatures Of the other States to act
upon the subject. The views of the
two former are so far satisfactory as
they recognize, in effect, the right on
our part TO demand, and on theirs the
duty to grant when the case shall arise
legislative protection against all acts of
their citizens, tending to disturb our
peace or assail our institutions. Ohio.
admitting that interference by the peo.
pie of n State, with the internal
regulations of another, is improper and
dangerous" yet declares she has emo
power to restrain the publication ofpri.
vate opinion, on any subject whatever"
But all so far concur, as to decline at
this time, to grant US that legislative
protection demanded at their hands,
Exposed more Immediately as we are
to the disastrous consequences of Abo>
lltlonlsm, and alone possessed, from
position, of the means ofc~orrectly es-
tlmating them, or o~fjudging how they
might best be obviated, it was difficult
for US with our clear view of the mis-
chief and the remedy, as well as of the
Imperious necessity for applying it, to
suppose that a request SO just and rea-
sonable, could be refused. Yet the
indlsposition to comply with it, mani.
tested by the States referred to, and
such other means as we have ofunder.
standing the present state Of public
opinion at the North, justify the con-
cluslon, that that opinion is, for the
most part, averse to adopting the only
course that can give contentment to
the South, because the only one CON-
patible with its safety.
1t is impossible that this aversion
could exist, except from an inadequate
appreciation ofthe indispensableness to
our tranquility Of the course recon.
mended to their adoption, or from some
delusion they labor under as to their
right TO pursue it. The two-fold pre-
JUDGE which the States appealed to,
have to encounter, in adopting any
measure that may serve, in the least
degree to countenance the system of
slavery or abridge the freedom of the
Press,-as we'll as the sincere desire
we cherish to preserve our present
happy relations-recommend TO us, I'm.
doubtedly, in urging on them the per-
Torrance Of what we consider as their
plain duty, patience and forbearance,
to the utmost point, compatible with
those overruling obligations which de.
mand of us to protect the public peace
and fireside security ofour citizens, and
to vindicate the respect due to us as an
independent State, against all aggres-
sion, at whatever hazard.
In pursuance of this respectful and
c%onciliatory policy, it behooves us to
use every means in our power to &C.
quaint them with our r u condition, to
possess them Of the real posture of the
question between us, and to remove a
delusion fraught with consequences
which no friend of his country can
contemplate without shuddering. Now,
while opinions are unsettled, and when
it may be easier to impress truth on the
mind, than hereafter to convert it from
error-when the late absorbing politi
cal contest being terminated, no dis
turbing cause, it may be hoped, exists
at home, to affect that singlencss Of
purpose and harmony of action, which
the welfare of Virginia imperiously de-
mands-now seems the proper time to
make the endeavor.
To this end, and believing as | do,
that this question, more than any that
ever has come, or eve a come, be-
fore the American people, is fraught
with the direst calamities to the III
try-indeed, that on its wise and just
determination hangs our destiny as a
free, happy, and united, or a distract
ed and harrassed people, respectful
ly submit to your consideration the ex-
pediency of addressing, without delay,
to the on.slaveholding States, a So
lemn Memorial and Remonstrance, ex-
hlbiting the high and inviolable char
acter ofthe rights which are invaded
the evil effect of such intermeddllng