Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-12-22

The entire loss probably does not exceed
Sc, 000-no insurance. Winchester Iirg.
Dec l3.
THE ABoLITioNIsrs-M EssAGE or
Gov. RirNER OF PENNSYLVANIA.
We read with regard and surprise, the fol-
lowing sentiments in The Message OF Gov.
Ritner TO the Pennsy lvanra Legislature, now
in session.
"In rapid and startling succession, ali tile
principles OF Pehnsy Vania policy, all the obs
ecis Of State pride, have been attacked, nor
have there been wanting Pennsylvanians TO
aid in their pros,ration. First, Internal Inn
provements by national means then the dis
tribution of the proceeds OF The public lands
amongst the States In proportion TO represen-
taton next the protection Of domestic in
duslry, nf which leading article OF the Amer
lean System, Pennsylvania wGs the champi-
on !; and the produce of " hose expiring ene.-
gies is now about 10 enrich her treasury Ia
the distribution of the Surplus Revenue at
forwards the National Bank 4; and last, but
worst Of all came tho base bowling Of the
knee to The dark spirit of Slavery.
"For The preservation OF this last and most
cherished article of our National poltica!
creed, the sacrifice of which has not yet been
completed, il is our duty 10 make all possible
effort.
''1'o ascertain what have been-nay, what
are the doctrines Of the people OF this State,
on the subject OF Domestic Slavery, reference
need only be made 10 the statute book and
journals of the Legislature. They will there
be found imprinted in letters of light upon
almost every page. In /, Smiths Laws
493, is found an ''act for the gradual abolition
of Slavery in Pennsylvania" with pream>
10 I'll, Il La tnH in MI
gold. This is the first act of the kind passed
in any part of the Union, and was nobly put
forth to the world in the year 1880, in the
midst of the struggle for national freedom.
This just doctrine was, through long course
Of years adhered To and perfected, till SIave-
ry ceased in our State. And finally, in 1927,
the following open avowal OF the Stale doc
trine, was prefaced TO the act "to prevent
certain abuses OF the laws relative 10 fugi-
tiye9 from labour." "The traffic in slaves
now abhorred by all the civilized world,
ought not in the slightest degree TO be toler-
aied in The State OF Pennsylvania. Pam
ph'et Laws, page 4S5.
"Not only has Pennsylvania thus eXpell
ed tie evil from her own borders, but she
has on all proper occasions, endeavoured to
guard her younger sisters from the pollution.
On The 10Th Of Dec. 1919, the following lan>
guage was unanimously made use of by the
Legislature, and approved by the Governor,
on The question Of admitting new states into
the Union, with the right of holding slaves.
'rhat the Senators and Representatives of
this State, in the Congress of the United
States, be, and they are hereby requested 20
vote against the admission ofany territory rs
state into the Union, unless the further in
PRODUCTION OF slavery or involuntary seryi-
tude, except for the punishment of crimes,
whereof the party shall have been duly con-
victed, shall be prohibited, and all children
born within the said territory, after its adj
mission into The Union as State, shall be
free, but may be held to service until the age
of twenty five years.
"The preamble TO this resolution, too long
10 be cited al large, is worthy of all consul
Grafton, at the present juncture.
"On the much discussed question OF slave
~ in the District of Columbia, there never
has been any thing like hesitation. On The
23d CT January, 1919, the Legislature passed
a resolution instructing our representatives
in Congress TO advocate the passage of a law
for its abolition, and the voice of public o.
pinion as expressed through the press, at
meetings and in petitions, has been unchang
ing on the subject.
" These tenels, then, viz opposition TO
slavery at home, which, by the blessing of
Providence, has been rendered eifectual
opposition to the admission into the Union OF
now slave holding states, and opposition TO
slavery in The District Of Columbia, the very
hes.th and domestic abode of the national
hcnor-have ever been, and are the cherished
doctrines oil our state. Let us, fellow citi-
zens, stand by and maintain them unshrink~
ingly and learIessly. While we admit and
scrupulously respect the constitutional rights
ofother states, on this momentous subject,
let us not, either by lear or interest, be driv-
en- from aught of that spirit OF independence
and veneration for freedom, which has ever
characterized our beloved Commonwealth.
ga bove all, let us never yield up the right
of The free discussion Of any evil which may
arise in the land or any part of it j; convin-
ced chat The moment we do so the bond OF u
MON is broken. For, the union being vo-
luntary compact TO continue together for
certain specified purposes, the instant one
portion of il succeeds in imposing terms and
debating conditions upon another, not found
in the contract The relation between them
changes, and that which " as union becomes
subsection"
THE FLORIDA WAR