State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-16
From tho Boston Atlas.

WHAT THEY SAY IN THE SOUTHg
The Richmond Enquirer of AugtH I'd
contains the address ofthe Central Commit
tee of Virginia TO the people Of that State
on the subject Of the approaching election
of President A portion of the document
ii devoted to q dissertation ON Mr. Van Blu
ren's casting vote upon the 1ncendiary Bill.
| We present it entire. 1t will be seen that
I it fully sustans tho view of that vote which
has been taken in the non-slavehoIding
States.
The dislngcnuous attempts the Tory
press to screen Van Buren, from the Just
resentment of Northern freemen, must
prove unayailing in deluding an intelligent
people.-He cannot succeed in the double
game which he is playing. The South will
not trust him, aud the North will revolt ut
his duplcity. MIR. Van Buren, has promised
every thing to the South. What he has
given stands recorded against him, what he
will fulfil or omit at his discretion. But
the North, he hopes to carry by party ma
chinery by binding the eyes Of the people
to the act, by which he hopes to secure the
South. His presses here tell us that the
gag law, to which he gave his casting vote,
is a very harmless sort of measure, and
that it is very unreasonable in us to find
| fault with it. So said the Tories some sixty
years ago, when the tax was laid upon tea
- it is u very harmless tax"-but the right
to take ten pounds implied the right to take
thousand and the Yankees were stupid
enough to engage in the war of the revolu-
ton, merely to resist principle of oppres-
sion, without having actually suffered I'M
der the reality. The friends of Van Buren,
cannot, with all their plausibity, palliate
the act, by which he has forever lost the
confidence Of Northern men. 1t will stand
recorded against him; and from the testi-
mony of the Tor es themselves, it will be
seen that his vote is regarded in light
anything but acceptable to the North.
There is one remaining circumstance 50
opposite to the present inquiry, so illustra-
tive of our views, SO satisfactory a test of
the sincerity of the sentiments avowed by
Mr.. Van Buren,, that it would be unjust
TO him, and to the cause of truth, to pass it
by unnotced. Ii will lbe recollected that
the excitement which pervaded the South
ern country on the subject Of abolition, was
mainly produced by the circulation through
the mail, of incendiary writings and prints
of various descriptions. In the discussions
which took place, much soicitude was ex-
pressed to obtain from Congress- some act
TO restrain and punish the circulation by
Postmasters, of such papers. At the last
session of Congress bill was Introduced
into the Senate, to prohibit Postnasters
from delivering from their offices, or other
wise circulating, incendiary publications,
and subjectng them to removal from office,
as penalty for violation of the law. On
the question of the engrossment Of this bill.
the Senate were equally devided. At the
moment Mr.. Van Bdren was absent from
the Chair, which was temporarily occupied
by another. MIR. Calhoun inquired with
emphasis, Where iUds the Vice President?
He Immediately appeared and took his seat,
and with the utmost promptitude and dcci-
sion, pronounced that the Senate was
equally divided, and gave his casting vote
for the bill. Here was an OCCASION to try,
not only the sincerity, but the .firmness of
the Vice President. 1t was question of
vital importance. The prohibition Of ,tsi,,g
the mail as vehicle to circulate incendidry
papers, ,coiitd be dedth-btoto to the .Hboh-
! tionlsts. They knew it, they felt it, and
their most violent exertions were used 10
ward off this measure, so disastrous o
their cause. If they cannot circulate, it is
in vain they should print.-THe man toho
should obStruct, or defeat the exercise Of this
privilege to circulate by the mail, must incur
then eternal luminosity.
Mr. Van Buren, was placed precisely in
this snuation.--But four of the Senators
from the non slave holding States sustained
him. How did he act? Did he hesitate p
Did he shrink from responsibility? Did he
waver, from the influence Of any disposition
to propitate the Abolitionists? Not at oil.
Without the slightest hesitation, he gave
his vote for measure calculated to give
security to Southern rights, and tranquility
to Southern feeling. The Senators from
New York, the personal and political
friends Of the Vice President also voted for
the bill. And now, fellow-citizens, may
we not ask you with confidence, whether
great injustice has not been done by the
Opposition, to Mr.. Van Buren,, on this sub
ject? Whether, if they should still contin.
ue these charges, they will not sin against
the lights of truth and justice? And finally
let us inquire, ,ohether he does not deserve
at your hands, and those oft Southern peo.
pie generally, instead Of approaches and cen
sure, thanks and gratitude.
p. N. NICHOLAS,
P.V. DANIEL,
THOMAS RITCHIE,
WILL SELDEN,
JOHN RUTHERFORD,
CHARLES ELLIS,
JAMES RAWLINGS,
C.. w. GOOCH.
Richmond, August LIST, 1886.
i ASTOUNDING NEws.-Wal street was
thrown into ferment of wonder and con
sternation this morning, by information tina
Air nt hun Tho mall n...,n. n.,.,..,,