Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-10
PENNSYLVANIA AND THE B0R-
DER COUNTIES OF VIRGINIA.

In the few remarks we are about 10 make
upon the relations now existing between Penn.
syivania and this portion of Virginia, we de
sire to speak with calrnness and moderation
because the subject involved IS one Of delca
CIV, and we are by no means anxious 10 arouse
undue excitement.
Holding Slaves as property under the Con
stitution of the United States, and the right SC
10 hold them being further guaranteed to US by
laws made in pursuance thereof, we can de-
,nand from any and every State in the Union
protection to this species ofproperty with the
same justice and propriety, as to properly Of
any other description whatsoever.
In pursuance Of the compromises OF the
Constitution, Pennsylvania has enacted the
necessary laws 10 enable US 10 recover fugitive
slaves, who may take refuge within her Dor
ders, bu, II those laws are of no avail, If they
remain upon her statute books as dead letters,
they are without advantage to Us, let us
take case which, as reference 10 another
column will show is by no means imaginary.
Negroes escape from the County Of Berkeley
70 Pennsylvania. Our citizens seek 70 sscor.
er them--,hey are found, fully Identified
the proper legal examinations are made and
they are delivered over into their possession BY
the hand Of the Law So far all is as II should
be, but here the protection to thei. right ceases.
They endeayor to bring them home, when a
Eiongrel mob composed of every hue and col
or. attack them IN the very presence of the au
,horities--wound, main and perhaps murder
som. of their number, and By the power of
numbers and superiority Of mere brute force,
openly rob them q their property. What is to
be done7 Appeal to the authorities? As a
hundred instances will prove, they either wink
a, the atrocities Of the mob, or if disposed 10
do their duty, are utterly powerless. The
question is, shall we submit to repeated outra-
ges, or shall we take the matter N orr own
handsi II Pennsylvania cannot enforce her
own laws, or, Wha, is worse, # she will not
do 1t, we must IA back upon our own ability
10 protect ourselves.
To show the feeling which exists in our
own community upon the subject, we may
mention a proposition suggested seriously a
day or two since. II was thiS--ihat whenev-
q our citizens shall allow slaves into Penrsyl.
wanna, they shall be accompanied by troops o.
armed men, who will enter her borders with
no design Of insulting her citizens. ,ramplins
upon her rights, or violating her laws, but
simply with the determination Of affording
tina; protection to our own fellow cilizens
which they have ever failed to receive from
her II will be a crisis of momentous interest
indeed, II matters should reach pass like this,
but IS there any alte,na,ive2 Must we resort
10 the lea taiionis?
We have alluded thus plainly and simply
TO the subject in question, with none other than
the best feelings-n the hope that excitement
may be aliayed and that the RICH, minded citi,
gems Of Sister State will exhibit in some
manner their disposition to abide by the com
promises Of the Constitution, and afford 10 us
that protection which we have never refused
90 them