Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-03-24

high degree--sre calculated, in great emergencies,
to exert upon the conduct OF their possessors And
for the like reason, it may certainly be expected,
that "ell-disPosed persons of other religious de-
nominations, who, without a full consideration
Of the difficulties which surround tins subject, and
Of the dangerous consequences to which the ci-
forts Of the AbolitionisIs evidently tend, have
lent ito those efforts the influence of their Damcs
aud character, will be careful hereafter to avoid
the repetition Of an error 81 unfortunate and mis-
chieyous.
In every view Of the subject, therefore, il does
appear me, that, although there certainly is, in
the present condition OF the country in relation to
it, sufficient 10 excite the most serious attention,
there IS nothing in the state of public opinion in the
Jnued States. 10 Justify that panic in the public
mind which invariably disqualifes those who par
take ol it, from dealing wisely or successfully with
the circumstances by which it is produced From
abroad we h1vr, think, some right 10 expect less
interference han heretofore. We SHALL [ am CON
fdcnt, for some time at least, have no foreign a.
gents cnliehien MS on the subject. Recent re-
suit, here and the discussions with which they have
been attended, cannot fail 10 attract the attention
Of the rcadn9 and rejecting portion of the Foreign
Public. By these means they will be made to un-
dcrStand onr real condition in tins respect, and
they will know that the Interchangeable law Of that
condition il, that the slave question must be left
to the control Of the slaycholding States them
selves, without molesaton interference from
any quarter that foreign interference Of any dc
scrPton, can only be in JurouS 10 the slave, with
out benefit 10 any interest, and will not bc cndur
ed by any section Of our country and that any
Interference, coming from even the non-slnvehold
ing portions OF our own territory, is calculated to
cndanger the pcfpctulty, and If sanctioned by the
General Government would inevitably occasion
the dissolution Of, our happy Union. Seeing the
subject in tbs lis true aspect and conscious they
must be, that the downfall OF this Republic would
be the seycIcst blow that the cause Of liberty and
>c-goNcrnmcnt could receive, and from which its
recovery would be hopeless the wise and the good
amongst th"m-tloSr who really guided by
the principle, oil Justice and humanity-wi parisc,
and acknowledge, that they have Inexperienced
the true bearings oi this question: Instead OF ac-
cu,ing conntrymrn who hold property in
slaves, with di>reeardmg the general principles of
liberty Il the dictates ola pure religion, they will re-
cognzr in this class of our citizens, sincere fri nd,
to the happiness of mankind as any others, and will
become sensible that this species OF properly, the
result oi causes over winch they had no control, is
an inheritance which Meq only Know how 10 dis
p Of Instead of charg ing the people "t the
States, As has been done
with hypocrisy III protesting an ardent love OF free
dom, they will find that the free citizens Of tie
North are only acting upon the principles of idcl-
ly to their most solemn engagements that II they
were 10 attempt the accomplishment of hat Is de-
sired of them by those who regard slavery as III
consistent witt, the equal rights which nsti-
tuition. are founded, they will involve themselves IN
the odium, of either seeking to evade compact
which the means and the pledge of our nation
al existence, oi awaiting themselves of their PIE
scst power aud nneNamplcd prosperity, to dissolve
Il connection with their Southern brethren forI,-
ed at period Of mutual adversely, for a cause
which WAS then not only known 10 exist. hat the
continuance of which was expressly recognized in
the bond Of their Union.
have thus, gentlemen, been compelled 10 ex-
tend my remarks considerably further than IN
tended, when commenced To answer your cnqui-
~. As, however, the subject was delicate and
important feel that have not irespasscd farther
upon your time in its examination than was pro-
per To enable You 10 comprehend the views en-
terrain OF it, OF than vas respectful to the conSdo-
rations which justified Your can for those views.
And feel assured whatever may be difference of
opinion, if any, which exists between myself and
any other portions Of my fellow citizens, that the
issue of this matter of all preceding questions
which have agilated the public mind, and have
hcen thought to be pregnant with danger, will, in
their hands, be such as 10 strengthen the bonds of
their Mon, and TO increase those tiatcrna aud
patriotic affections, which our past National hsro-
~ has so often and 81 honorablv illustrated.
am, very respectfully, your obcdirnt servant,
NJ. VAN buren,.
Mcssrs Junus lmis, Isaac Hall, John Wall. G.
Ycllowhy, Samuel b. Spirril, and James W.