Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-17
"ABOLITION AGITATION"

Under the above caption the Richmond Re-
publican" of the 10Th inst contains long article
called forth by remarks which appeared in
this paper two weeks ago. The Republican was
misinformed to the character Of the remarks and
consequently the reply is not entirely to the point.
In-our paper Of the Sd, (Which was sent TO the Re
publican as usual-why it was not received we
cannot tell, undertook to inform our readers Of
the various forms in which the Slavery question had
been brought before Congress, and in connection
with the subject, we expressed regret that $50
influential Journal the Richmond Republicans
should seem 10 urge upon our Legislature the ne
cessity Of preparing for ,rar." The Republican
may not remember 10 what we alluded and there
fore state that i, to short editorial on the
subject Of Military School in Richmond. which
had appeared in that paper IL we had found it in
some obscure village paper, we world not have
ticed it; but from tho high responsibility gifts
we feared that it might have an unfavorable influ-
ence at the present time, when the public mind is
50 greatly excited.
For the Editors Of the Republican we entertain
the most sincere and cordi, regard and we are sor-
ry 10 have to dissent from their views in relation TO
any matter, but we must confess that we think
they have exhibited rather too much excitement il,
relation to the abolition agitation, and we certainly
think it quite time enough for tho State Of Virginia
to begin 10 prepare for civil war.
Ii is true that we do not read many Northern pa
pers and we may no, be informed as TO the real
state of feeling at the North towards the South and
Southern institutions butwe unwilling to form
an opinion from extracts republished from two or
three papers which are acknowledged TO be ultra.
Such extracts might be multiplied, no dosbt, to
scores and hundreds, and yet the great mass of the
Northern people possess sufficient honesty and love
for the union Of the States prevent their doing any
fhin9, when 1t comes 10 the test materially deri-
mental TO our interests. Public sentiment is not al
ways TO be ascertained from the newspapers They
often buster rs much for Buncombe and topan no.
toriety, as members ofLegslative bodies, and while
the community is aim and even lisless, they fire.
quenty afford striking examples Of ga tempest in
teapot"
We must regard the vote of the North in the
Presidential election as indicative Of popular sen,i
ment there upon the subject of Slavery. Gen TAy-
LoR-a Southern man and large stakeholder
received the vote Of every Northern State with the
exception Of two. notwithstanding another candi-
date was in the field who was nominated and sun
ported on account Of his free so'' principles
Surely the whole people had not then abandoned
truth and justice and patriotism, and we have no
reason TO believe that change has occurred since.
Therefore we depTecate every thing like threat and
bravado.
The subject Of "a dissolution OF the Union has
unhappily become familiar to US for the mention
of 1t to excite surprise, however much regret we
may feel 10 see it alluded 10 event likely to
occur. The evil day may come. notwithstanding
our hopes to the contrary, and those whom we now
look upon as fellow citizens and brethren, we may
have TO regard as foreigners and enemies but until
such state OF things is forced upon u.s. we wish to
cherish such sentiments as those eXpressedby Gov
CRITTENDgN, in his Message to the Kentucky Lee
gislatuTe "We all feel" says he, 'that we can
safely rely upon Union which has sustained us SO
iriumphantly in the trials of peace and war; and
we entertain fears from those who have com
mon interest in it with ourselves The fraterna
feelings with which regard them, and the filia
reverence ourselves have for the link that binds
Us together, give us strength in the faith that they
cherish the same bonds Of brotherhood, and will
practice intentional injustice towards US
We can have no better security for our rights than
tina: Union and the kindred feelings that unite lis
with all the members OF the confederacy II these
sentiments ever cease to prevail, trust that Ken
lucky will be the last spot from which they will be
banisheJ."