Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-01-15
SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH.

1t is truly gratifying to witness the de-
termined and decided spirit with which the
South has met the recent move of the abo-
Jition fanatics in Congress. From almost
every portion Of The South we have ample
assurance that she will never surrender to
the mandates Of Northern power. Armed
with right and justce-battling in defence
other constitutional rights, and seeking the
preservation Of her property, the South
never can, and never WILL, submit to the
schemes of those who are endeavoring to
wrong and degrade her. So long as the
enemies Of Southern rights and institutions
confined themselves to discussions, or G.
ven denunciations and threats the Southern
people remained quiet. But more, we
have borne in silence numerous wrongs and
outrages-we have submitted to their thefs
Ito the robberes of our citizens, and the
illegal aud unconstitutional decisions OF
their Courts in reference to our slave prop
.erty. We have thus far taken no action.
But now, when they boldly assault US, a.
~vowing their determination to carry Out
their unjust and unholy purposes, we must
meet them at the threshold and defend to
the last extremity the rights guaranteed to
us by the Constitution. 1t hus been the
steady ann Of the South to preserve unim-
paired our glorious Union.-To do this,
she has overlooked many aggravated insults
she has passed by most fragrant outrages
from time to time Der property has been
given up without struggle, and her ei,i-
zens have suffered the infection of most
onerous burdens-and all has been done
to secure friendly relations. But that time
has passed.! Our forbearance-our indul-
gence towards them, and our delay of re-
sentiment, have but emboldened them in
their work Of aggression. The efforts of
the South 10 maintain the harmony of the
nation and avoid a collision with the North
ern people, have been construed into fear
aud want of courage TO meet Northern
power on the Slave question. They have
impressed themselves with the belief that
we will shrink from a contest involving the
existence of the Union, and seem to think
--rhat rather than hazard conflict with them,
we will submit to their encroachments-
tolerate their expressions, and yield com
pliance to their bches,s! In this they are
mistaken. We stand upon the defensive.
they are the aggressors. and we are but
cndeavoring to ward off their blows.
AS highly as the people Of The South cs-
innate and value our Union, and as much
as they desire,io remain under one govern
ment, yet they will not seek continuation
OF the bonds Of this Union, or perpetual
ton of this government unless due respec,
i paid to the compromises upon which the
/, Union is based, and proper regard shewn
=, for the rights and privileges which were
guaranteed TO her when she entered into
,Ahes Federal compact. If the North per-
slsts..i her demands-contnues her war
fare against our institutions. and by legisla-
tive enactment, forces us into collision, she
will find the South united in action, firm
in purpose, and determined in resistance
We arc bound together by the sironges
ties ofinterest-we are united in sentiment
and feeling, and it will be fearful time
when sectional power shall attempt TO force
us into acomp}iance with its wishes. This
North must act with cau.ion-!he s!eI
once taken can never be retraced.
@On the 9Th inst. the bill! appropriate
ing money for the purchase Of Furniture