Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-24
ron THE STANTON sPscrATox.

GENTLEMEN The public mind seems 10 be- as
yet, unsettled to the course which the people of
the South ought TO pursue with reference TO the me-
nacing attitude of the North. We NAV infer from
the tone of The Southern press, that all agree that it
has become necessary for the South to assume some
posture OF defence against the spirit OF ag-
gresslon manifested in the resolutions of Mr. Corr
and adopted by the House Of Representatives but
an extraordinary diversity of opinion prevails as TO
the manner and degree of resistance Some of our
leading politicians insist upon hostile and belliger-
,ent tone whilst Others more cautious and less a.
Harmed, recommend mild and concatory one
Il few words, therefore, from an humble bnt watch
ful observer Of recent events may have some little
tendency TO promote the harmony of our views and
the strength Of cur position.
:; II Is altogether immaterial whether the resolu-
tions OF .WILMor, GoTT, and other organs of the
abolition spirit prevailing at the North can or can
not be shown to be consistent with the express Ian
guage CT the Constitution. II they violate its spi-
II, or the implied understanding with which the
parties forming the present coniederacy entered into
fhe compact, 1t Is unnecessary to eubble about the
Terms Of the instrument-itis just as necessary 10
protest against such viola tiOn as the most giarinr
lnflactlon could make it. We presume that no one
will contend that the spirit of Mr. GoTT's resou-
lions IS the same that animated the bosos of those
patriotic men who constructed the Constitutions or
OF those who, in the States OF MARYLAND and Viz
Gmia, volunteered 10 make donation to the gov
eminent of integral portion of their territory for
a common purpose 1t would beabsurd to suppose il:
and we therefore rejoice to the unanimiiy with
which the sentiments Of the whole Southern press
have been. expressed on the subject. From Mary
land TO Texas we believe unanim rus protest has
been recorded against the movement
.. Whatever may,be the language employed, the
oo}ect OF such resolutions is ever The sameto rem
der the relation of master and slave uneasy and un
tenable throughout the South 1t is an attempt to
eject, fnd,rectty, that which they acknowledge
eannct be done directly. They seek to sap and ur-
dermine an institution which it would be treason TO
assault openly. The South, therefore, cannot stop
10 enquire whether such steps unconstitutional,
Tor they are acorSe j; they are Distinguishing in
their hanilest tendency, and insulting to The person
al feelings of every Southern man who is at all
interested NJ the institution against which they
are directed. The protest Of the South, therefore.
must be loud, unanimous, and decided The PEG,
pie OF the North must be assured in terms not 10 be
mistaken, that their course, which if pursued 10
wards foreign nations, would inevitably lead TO war,
eannot be considered less dangerous towards equal
memoels OF the same confederacy that with equal
pToprlety they might make hostile demonstrations
against the various institutions of Europe which
they may feel inclined to rebuke and thus reckless
~ rupture onr anlcable relations with the civilized
world and that, on the other hand, the Southern
people must regard such interference on their mart
as worse than foreign aggression, inasmuch as i,
comes like a blow from brothers. hand. So much
Ior the spirit and language in which we ought to
protest.
put snail we 60 further, and proclaim dis,1ion
70 % the necessary consequence of the final passage
81 81 these acts? Shall we threaten dissolution and
clvi war as the Ponaty of an merely because il
Is unrlendly We think not 1t would resemble
Ihe conductot duelst who would. sacrifice Lilo
and family and friends for punctilio, rather than
tnat o. a consderate, christian people II Is adj
mitted that the spirit of these movements is hos
Tile; but 1t does not follow that the cause is sniff
eent to juf fy violent measures of retaliation The
South are not prepared to resort to civil war TO re-
onke an implied INSULT and they ought not to threat
gu WnEal Fhey VIII not carry out Slavery is not
tIhqt some oil our politicians would represent it o.
10 eu institution dear 10 the majority Of the SOnth
e." people. We believe that excepting the laroe
pa"sers, lew are to be found who do not regard i;
a.; ',no''unate feature in our social sysienl-one
Th,ch 'ney would gladly see removed. if it could
pc done Justly and safely for both Of the interested
parties lhey are therefore not prenared IN or,
humoe Judgment, TO sacrifice all Inc ,Ioss;n,,,
Tnien the Union secures, in resentiry a, innI;eeJ
insult lhe masses cannot feel. as Some ,bnnpra
ca politicians feel; on this subject Tbov ,, w.
pei aggresslons with sufficient spirit bnt mo-, 800,
,hey are actually made. When the rioht ~ ~,
Perly ~ the States is attacked Their will be the o,
!or armed resistance, and the Southern people viii
Pc Iound ready 'to draw the sword and throw ayvav
The scabbard" ""'y
seems 70 ds that the prcsen. crisis should be
embraced by the whole South as a proper occasion
tpr 'hem TO lay down definitely their uimatunn or
thc SUBJECT or Slavery. They must indicate the
lIue OF boundary between themselves and tho North
70 pass which they will consider virtual dissou
teg Of the Ueion. But that line should be no vi.