Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-09-30

i
deeply interesting and so fraught with impor-
tant results, as that embodied in the notorious
"WlD,ot Proriso," many OF the Northern
Safes, through their Legislatures, have spo-
ken in manner, which has left 10 dond as
their position, whenever the struggle shall
commence. As many as ten States, we think,
have formerly endorsed the principle OF the
proyiso, and some Of them have made the
declaring their unaherabIe opposition to the
admission Of any slave State into the Union
"tuqder any eireumstances;;" thereby showing
tibet it IS not mere feeling arising from the in
PRODUCTION Of an exciting topic into the pollti-
cal discussions of the day, but deep, deter
mined, and unwavering opposion to Southern
rights and Southern interests, which has indu-
ced The ofiicia! declarations referred to.
Has the South been heard in answer to
words like these7 Has she firmly declared
her position--made known the principles by
which she has ever been guided, and the in
terests which she can never sacrlfce2 Has
she appealed to the North 10 pause and re-
feet? No! there has been nothing Of Union
nothing Of merging Of party differences
and rallying Of her sons, under her broad
banner, 10 maintain a common cause. But one
State-VtaGIsfA--has spoken Hervoice has
been heard, speaking in clear, decisive tones
as TO her position-her determination-an we
:, Il
has requested her Senators and Representa-
lives to urge the passage o. measures TO a5ol-
ish slavery in the District Of Columbia, TO ex-
elude il from the Oregon territory, and to pre-
vent is existence in any territory now belong
ing TO, or hereafter 10 be acquired by the Uni
ted States. Is not language like this, fanati-
cal and inAamma,ory? Is it not calculated
TO arouse the fierce feeling Of the heart, 10 sow
the seed Of enmity and discord and strife In
other words, is it not the language of a State
| Indifferent to the Union, careless Of the Con
stituton, and deaf TO all the warm impulses
of lofty patriotism?
| Now let us hearken TO VIRGINIA! Calm
and dignifej, she speaks as the mother OF
Presidents may well speak. There is nothing
Of understanding of enthusiasm run
mad. She enuncates clearly and distinctly
the old time honored Constitutional principle,
"that the Government of the United States
has no control, directly or indirectly, mediate
ly or Immediately, over the institution of sla
very: and that in assuming any such control,
it transcends the limit Of its original functions
BY destroying the internal organization of The
sovreigntes who created it,"
And again abiding to the Wilmot Proviso,
she says: "That the passage of that proviso
makes it the duty of every slaveho ldng State,
and every citizen thereof, as they calue their
dearest privileges, their sorreignty, their indie
pendence, their rights Of property, to take firm
united and concerted action in this cmersen-
cy."
We have alluded TO this subject TO ask if
the South is ready. Have the Carolinas,
Georgia, Alabama and all spoken? VIII
they shrink from the "emergency"2 Mol
Why then defer action If the rumors borne
10 our ears from the city of the Montezumas
be true-peace may soon follow the late sue
cesses of our arms-but it will be a sad peace
10 the Union-a peace not shedding its rich
blessings around, but presenting the occasion
for the bursting of long gathering Storm
The questions of .Nsc Territory, Slapery, and
the Itilmot Prociso, stand like grim spec,res
before us. The hour for their quiet and grave
settlement is gone, and though we may send
the dove of Compromise out from the Ark of
the Constitution, we fear that it will return
with no olive branch. betokening that the
storm has passed.