Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-10-21

bng us of our slaves, and the prevalent
disposition to force our assent TO prinei
pie dangerous To the country and ruinous TO us
constitute the main grounds of Southern opposi.
ton 10 the Union. Accordingly, the contest Of
the last session Of Congress, was 10 prevent the
enactment of the proposed measure and to make
an efficient provision against the existing habit
When this result had been effected, calm was re.
stored and peace ruled. In the first state of the
public mind, there was an actual departure from
law and an effort 10 make further departure
but soon as the departure was corrected and the
effort crushed the public mind was eased of ia
apprehensions, because the triumph of the law
demanded its respect.
1t is true that the passage of the compromio
has not hushed the noise of agitation. But we
can trace this continuance of the excitement Ia
a disp sion TO resist law and to reject its re.
srant. North the resistance is to the Fugitive
Slave Bill bill the germ OF which forms Con
stitutionaI provision. South the resistance is to
the admission of California as free State; an ad-
mission capable of being defended from the ar
gumenls Of Mr.. Calhoun, who was regarded, and
Justly, as the constitutional exponent of South
ern rights Mr.. Calhoun says:
''Sir | hold il tn be flnla mental principle of our
political system, that the people have gh To establish
what government they may TUX proper for themselves
that every State about 10 become member f lh, IL -
has a right 10 70 m lis government as il pleases aud
that in order be- admitted there is but one quail eation
and hat is, that the government shall be republican,
The passages 10 which we have referred as
well as the history which we have briefly given,
show, that where the law is respected, the Con-
sutution is sufficient to promote and protect the
public interest. Turning aside from this point
we will ask, what is the testimony OF Europe
Europe with her pre- udices, and England with
her auimoSteS
Mr.. ErslNne has said, there is 'lcss to deploro
and more to admire in the Constitution of Amer
ca, than that of any other country under heaven.
wish, indeed to except my own, but cannot
even do that
In this opinion Mr.. Ersllne is sustained by ma.
ny of his transatlantic brethren. We shall only
al present quote the language of the celebrated
Irish orator and patriot, Philips: " Search clea.
ton round, where can you find acountrv that pre-
sents 81 republican view, 50 interesting an an
ticipation What noble institutions What
comprehensive policy ? Whata rise cquali,a.
ton of crcrY pohtical adrdataee t'
These reflections teach US the worth of our
truly invaluable institutions; and contain Gr.
Their lesson, teaching US, that to respect the laws
is our only safeguard, and that these when r.
spectcd tend greatly to enhance our greatness AZ
a nation and our interests as States. We there
fore, appeal to the true and devoted friends of the
Union TO froWn down all efforts to awaken ev
element, let If come trom what section il may
And we feel safe IN asserting, that if The pcopje
do not at once make open resistance TO all AT
tcmpts to oppose, 10 denouncr or to eyadc the
law we can hope lor but little peace, and eycnln.
ally the dark shadow of disunion must cover
our now united land.