Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-05-21

leprived OF the right. The State of New
ork abolished slavery; but this abolition is
not the condition on which she holds her
place In the COnfederacy. 1t is her own pol
ICY; and If 1t shall be her pleasure to change
u, Congress cannot interfere. So, if New
States are admitted into the Union, when
they will stand upon an equality
with New York. They may establish or "a
bollsh slavery at their pleasure, and neither
Congress, nor any other State will have any
more right to interfere with the subject than
with the laws of primogeniture in the Brit
lsh empire. The object of petition does not
affect the abstract question of slavery that
Is subject which the abolitionists of the
free States can no more affect than they can
that OF the privileges Of the British nobility.
The plain question is this: shall we continue
a united contederated Republic, or shall w.
dissolve the Union! If the PRAYER of this
and similar petitions should be granted by
majority OF Congress, the inevitable effect
would be an immediate destruction of the
Confederacy, and, with it, those bonds of af.
lection which have united us as one great, one
harmonious family. 1t has been my grief to
observe recklessness on the part Of some,
whom l otherwise highly esteem, showing
an utter disregard of all the consequences
which must result from the perpetual agiia-
ton ofthis subject. We have an interest at
stake too dear to be compromised for phan-
tom which we can never gain, however en-
Enthusiastically we may pursue 1t. AS free,
powerful and happy nation, we stand unri-
vailed In the annals OF the world.
Turning the eye alternately to every region
OF our country, it is greeted with the smiles
of happiness, amid the scenes of liberty, and
peace, and plenty and yet Imagination fire.
quent'y pauses upon the localities which re-
mind us Of the price at which these blessings
were gained. Do we compare our condition
with that of adjoining colonies? We look
to Quebec-and there Montgomery fell. W..
return to view the beautiful town CT Boston.
and take our stand on Bunker Hill-there
Warren died. We cross the delightful
fields of Ccnnecticut-there Wooster bled
We continue our observation through the
Jerseys, till we reach Princeton-there Mer-
Ger persisted.
Even from the Capitol, in which we are
assembled we cast look TO the South, and
the heights of Vernon remind us that the
mighty Washington slumhers there, who for
sock those peaceful shades for the tolls, the
dangers, and the privations of the sanguine
field, where, with thousands of others equal
ly brave and patriotic, the enemies of our
rights were defeated. 1t is the price of their
titioners, now enjoy these blessings. When
these rights were again threatened, l re-
garded it my duty, in humble imitation of
these apostles and martyrs of liberty, to offer
my own life upon the altar CT my country, to
confirm toyou and to them the permanent en-
Joyment of those blessings. A iGarciful Pro
whence protected me, and found two-fold
reconpense In the preservation of our in
stituticns.
With these views, cannot reconcile it to
my sense of duty to present the petition.
shall enter into no discussion on the princi-
pie OF slavery. as that is not involved in the
subject. j can view it in no ether light than
that OF an interference with the constitute II
al rights of others, and in such way as
tends to the destruction of the rich inheritance
purchased by the blood and toll of the fathers
Of the Revolution. Another circumstance
exists aside from what have noticed above,
which W uld make me reluctant to present
this petition; it comes from ladies, ordained
by Nature ard by the customs of all civilized
nations to occupy higher place in society
than that Of petitioners to a Legislative body
If courtesy could induce me on a subject
that could not become matter of injurious
notorlety TO present petition from females !;
yet should regard it purely as matter of
IL.
The rights Of women are secure through the
coarser sex-their fathers, their husbands,
and their brothers. 1t is the right of wo-
man to maintain modest retirement in the
hustle Of politics and of war. She does not
appear at the polls to vote, because she is
privileged to be represented there by man.
She does not serve on juries, nor perform the
dutie OF the bGiiff or executioner, because it
would be degradation of her dignity. She
does not take up arms and meet her coun-
try's foes, because she is privileged char
acter, and man is her SUI bstitute, who repre-
sents her in all these drudgeries. Every man
is bound by the perfect law of custom and
honor to protect and serve her. This is the
light In which the law of God places the wo-
man. She is yelled and silent even in reli.
glons discussions; not because she is IN
worthy, but because she is exempt from the
strife Of man: and it is her right to observe
that retired modesty which renders her the
object of admiration and esteem. In this
respect the Constitution of our country is es-
tablished upon the principle of the Divine
law. If the rights of man are inviolable,
they are of course confirmed to woman and
the most dignified CT the sex are the leas. in
clIned to NEEDLE with public matters. pre-
sumo females who sign petitions would not
conse mt TO the publication Of their names.
should be very reluctant to be accessory to an
act which should in any degree cast shade
Of reproach upon an individual of that sex
whose modest dignity is the glory of man.
Thus, sir, have frankly stated my views in
returning the petition, as now do.
trust you will not deem it disrespectful
to you, nor to the ladies for whom YOU act.
Be assured that for yourself, Individually, ]