Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-02-08
ADDRESS.
TO THE PEOPLE OF IHE United STAIES

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Fellow citizens !: We are DESTROYS Of communing with
you on subject which is, in judgment, intimately
connected with the peace and harmony OF the Union
We make no apology for doing so Justification will
be found IN the motive which induces this address, and
in the object which it Sc ks 10 accomplish That mo
tive IS preserve in lis original freshness and vgor the
traterna feeling which animated fathers that prompt
ed them to Jordan and establish constitution which
uniting us as one people, has enabled US advance with
rapldy unexampIed in the history of man to pre-
sent eminent rank among the nations Of the world The
object which we seek to accomplish is to obtain from
you calm dlspassionae, and patriotic consideration Of
a series Of measures calculated, fear ALLEVIATE that
feeling, and to beget anmoses alike untrlendly to in
divIdual and TO national prosperity We make no sec
tiona appeal. We address ourselves TO the whole Am
erlcan people as to those who have and
equal interest in preserving and perpeuating the friend
ly relations which happily subsisl between the different
States the Union. Ii our right thus present
selves to your notice be questioned that 1t is
the privilege of freemen confer with their fellows
matters of public concern. fit be asked why has the
present moment been chosen for this address, when Gas
1t is sad) decisive has been perfected the
is that the moment propitions Cancellation
is that which precedrs not that which follows decisive
action the subject in the controversy If, again.
asked what are our qualifications for the task In which
we are engaged, it seems obvons to reply that the pro-
longed attendance at the seat of government which
ofcla duties demand, and the part which requir-
ed 10 take in the administration of public affairs,
rly make familiar with The of political
But we invoke no aid from official station We do not
address you IN our representative character. We speak
to YOU American freemen and ask be heard in the
spirit TO which we address you.
The subject to which would call your attention. is,
the controversy unhappily existing between portions Of
onr fellow citizens in the two great sections of tho Union,
resulting from diversity Of feeling and Of opinion
corning he relation which exists between the European
and African races, who dwell in its southern section
we invite your attention to a brief narrative Of the
troversy lis origin and progress and that series Of
measures to which II has given rise, which by large
portion Of the American people deemed injurious to
the Interests of The South, aggressive upon their riuhs
and alike Inconsistent with the true spirit, intent, and
purpose Of our constitutional compact. This conrover-
81 had It's origin at an early period Of our history. be-
gan shortly after the acknowedg Of independence,
and has progressively increased, until it has arayed in
opposite ranks two great portions of the American people,
and that on subject which IS to one, opinion, a
sentiments or at most question Of political power in the
councils Of the natonwhe TO The other it is c1ntesSedy
OF all subjects OF policy the vital In its progress
ii has given rise to series of measures, which have
been more recently multiplied with degree of rapidly
that lnanifess the determined purpose and extraordinary
activity OF those with whom they originate. These
measures are all tending to the same result If carried
INTO execution, we think their CERTAIN effect would be 10
hlllc an injury, the extent :. which difficult
innate, the Southern States Of the Confederacy TO
uSette the political relations between the several Uni
led States, these adjusted by the constitution;
destroy the traerna feeling which uniies US more
firmly than the paper bands Of that instrument and
cessary therefore, disturb the peace and harmony uf
The Union
Our purpose in making the'satemen, which we pro
pose is mt to excite, but arhe allay the apprehen
elnns which existing circumstances are calculated tn
ate to confront the dangers which threaten disturb our
peace, and to avert hem Off, by the blessing Of God ii
may be so) by Just. temperate and united counses con
ceived and executed in the spirit Of PATRIOTISM In the
moment OF appreheded 7e it is the part of prudence
IT, ascertain the nature and Of the danger which
threatens US, with view provide and to call into ac
non our means OF defence. Ii the body puc is afflicted
by disease true conception Of its character can alone en-
able US To effect its cure.
We have called your attention TO the orinn Of this CON
tToversy and ask you to keep in mind the fact tia
lsted fora length OF time before the constitution was form
ed; that those who framed that instrument were thor
ou9Ay aroused 10 the fact Of the existence Of domestic
slavery n several States Of the cunfederacy had well
considered lis character, and aware Of the det rm
nation OF those States TO continue the of slave labor
IN the new position which they about TO assume as
members OF the Federal Urion. The trainers of the con-
stiutlon were thoroughly advised of the resve of the
people Of ihose States 10 enter into cunpact which
would leopard this their peculiar interest or reduce them
because OF the existence Of slavery among them 10 an in
equality with their Estates. Notwithstanding this the
controversy was introduced into the convention, and