Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-14
The question then is. VIII the measures of ag-
gresslon proposed in Tie House be adopted

| 6'NSSiV" PioEoSeu In house De
They may not, and probably will not be this Sc
sion. But when we take into consideration tn
'hefe Is majority now i'm favor of one o. them, an
suohg minority in favor OF the other, far as Tn
sense oil the House has been taken; that there wi
oe III an PROBABILITY considerable increase in tn
eN. congress oil the vote in favor OF them, and tina
II VIII De largely increased i'm the next succeedn!
! congress, under the census 10 be taken next year
| II amounts almost to certainty that they will b
ADOPTED unless some decisive measure is taken II
advance to prevent it.
But, il even these conclusions should prove erro-
heous-if fanaticism and the love of power should.
contrary to :her nature for once respect consttu-
uha barriers, or IT the calculations of policy should
re'aru The adoption OF these measures, even de.
iea them altogether, there would be still left
certain way TO accomplish their object, if the deter
niha'ion avowed by the North TO inonopolize all
,he territories. 10 the exclusion of the South should
DE carried INTO effect That of itself would, at no
distant day, add TO The North sufficient number
OF states to give her three -iourhs of the whole;
wnen under the color oil an amendment to the con-
s"'u'ion, she wonld einancpate our slaves, how
ever opposed II might be 10 its true intent.
nus under every aspect, The result is certain, IL
aggression be not promptly and decidedly met
now IL Is 20 be met, ii is for you 10 decide.
ouch' then, being the case, 1t would be TO insult
you 10 suppose You could hesitate. To destroy the
existing rotation between the free aud servie raceo
AT 'ne "outh Would lead TO consequences unparal-
ieed IN history. They cannot be separated, and
cannot live together In peace harmony, or to
iher mutual advantage, except in their present
ia1on. Under any other, wrctchedness. and MISE
~, and desoiation would Cvcrsnread the whole
South. The example the British West Indies.
as eighting as emancipation has proved 10 them,
FURNISHES very faint picture OF the calamites it
would bring on The South. The circumstances un-
der which It would take place with would DO
entirely different from those which took place with
Them, and calculated 10 lead 10 fan disastrous
results J here the government oil the parent coun-
try eInancipacd slaves in her colona; possessions.
government rich and powerful, and aCtuated by
views oil policy, (miStaken as they turned out to
be,) rather than ianaticsm Ii was besides dis
posed 10 act Justly towards the owners even in the
act oil cmancipaing their slaves and TO protec. and
foster them afterwards. 1t accordingly approp:ia-
ted nearly SloO,c0O,0OO as compensation to them
Tor their losses under the act, which sum- although
II turned out TO be far short of the amount, was
thought at that time TO be liberal. Since the eman-
cpation, ii has kept up sufficient military and
naval force 10 keep the blacks in awe, and num-
Der OF magistrates, and constables, and other civil
oihcers TO keep order in the towns and plantations.
and enforce respect 10 their former owners. TO
considerable extent, these have served as substi-
tiite Tor the police formerly kept the plantations
by the owners and their overseers and to preserve
the social and political superiority OF the white
race. Bnt Notwithstanding all this, the British
West India possessions are ruined Impoverished,
miserable, wretchcd, and destined probably 10 be
abandoned 10 the black race. Very different would
be The circumstances under which ciEanci patton
woUld take place with lis. Iii ever should be eff
fected, il would be through the agency of the Fed
eral Government, controlled by the dominant pow
er oil The Northern States OF the Contrderacy, a
ganst the resistance and struggle OF the Southern.
1t can then only be effected by the prostraton Of
the white race and that would necessarily cngen.
der the bttercs feelings of hostility between them
and the North. But the reverse would be the case
between the blacks OF the South and the people of
the North. Owing their emancipation TO them,
they would regard them as friends, guardians and
patrons, and centre, accordingly, all their sympathy
in them. The people Of the North would mol fail
'ortciprocate and TO favor them, instead OF the
whites. Under the influence OF such feelings, and
lhpeiied by ianaticism and love of power, they
would not stop al emancipation. Another step
would be taken-'c raise ti.e.n 10 political! and
social equality with their former owners, by giving
them the right o! voting and holding public Offices
under the Federal Government. We the first
step toward Ii III the bill! already alluded Toto vest
The free blacks and slaves with The right TO vote on
The question OF emancipation in the district. But
when once raised 10 an equality, they would be.
come The last political associates o! the North, act
Ing ami voting with them all questions, and by
this political union between them, holding the
white in complete subeciion The blacks
and The proiiigate whites they might unite with
them, would become the principal recipients OF
Federal Offices and patronage, and would, in conse-
quence be raised above the whites OF the South in
the political and social scale We would in a word
change conditions with them-a degradation great
er than has ever yet la!!en 10 the lot OF free and
| enlightened people, and one from which we could
not escape, should emancipation take place, (Which
it certainly will if not preven,ed,) but by fleeing
the homes OF ourselves and ancestors. and by ADAM
donIng our country to our former slaves 10 become
the permanent abode OF disorder, anarchy poverty,
misery and wretchednesS.
With such prospect before US, the gravest and
most solemn question that ever claimed The atten-
ton OF people is presented for your consideration.
What is to be done 10 prevent it 1t is question
belonging TO you to decide All we propose is To
/ give you our opinion.
We, then are OF the opinion that the first and in.
dispensabe step, without which nothing can be
/ done, and with which everything may be- is 10 be
united among yourselves, on this great and most
vital question. The want of union and concert in
reference 10 Il has brought the South, the Union,
and our system OF government 10 their present per.
Ious condition. Instead of placing it above al, o..
/ Tiers, il has been made subordinate not only TO
mere questions OF policy, but 10 the preservation Of
/ party lies and ensuing OF patty success. As high
as we hold due respect !or these. we hold them
! subordinate 10 that and other questions involving
/ our safety and happiness. Until they arc so held
BY the Sopth, the North will not believe that vol;
in earGc, III yOuI opposition To their encroach.
mcnts, and they viii continue To follow one alter
another, until the work Of abolition is finished To
/ convince them that yon are, YOU must prove by
Your acts that You hold all other cues; oas subordi.
/ nale 10 it Ityou become united, and prove YOUR
selves III earnest, the North will be brought to h
: pause, ard 10 a calculation of consequences and
! that may lead 10 a change OF measures and the a.
dOptiOu OF a course OF policy that may quietly and
peaccahly terminate this long conflict between the
two sections / il should not nothing would re-
main for you but 10 stand up inmovabIy in defence
/ OF rights. involving your ali-ycur prosperity, e.
/ quality liberty, and safety
Asthc assaulted. you would stand justified by all
. laws, human and divine, in repeng blow so dan
gcrous without looking 10 consequences, and to re-
! sort TO all means necessary for that purpose. Your
assailants, and not you, would be responsible for
consequences.
Entertaining these opinions, we earnestly entreat
yOu 10 be united. aid for thai purpose adopt all ne
ccssary measures Beyond this, we think it would
not be proper TO 80 at present.
We hope, if YOU should unite with anything like
oC