Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-11

These movements Congress the results of hostility
monc the of the free States TO slavery exists
mons usonc which has exhibited. itself in them in man
ner much offensive than that displayed in the halls of
Congress Some of them have by law prohibited their officers
of every kind under heavy penalties from rendering any as
arreng fugitive slaves they have refused the use
their as for he confinement OF abcondn slaves though hey
often mprson the going pursuit OF them. They have
passed laws which put every attempting
his runaway negro within their borders imminent danger
being tried elon and sentenced 10 Imprisonment
penentiaries.
chief executive authorities Of some Of these States have
in dire tho provisions OF the United States Com
suton refused deliver up fugtves from justice upon
gal aad proper demand because the offence with which they
stood charged that of negrosteang Slaves themselves
charged with felony and escaping into the free States have
upon demand being made their delivery ngtve from
cc been refused the ground that our laws constituting
tain ices felony e5 not g oy tine free States
to the pursuit OF his slave openly iuulted and
outraged treated with contune and contempt than he
himself fugitive from Justice fleeing from the crime Of
murder
Every device which parliamentary Jaw would allow in the
halls of Congress- and countless expedn in the free States
been for the purpose % rtatng insulting and
nurng the South 1t longer of surprise that
element and evaporation both exist alarming
amongst US in consequence of these
But the spirit which the law for the reclamation of fuq
tive slaves has been met the free States cminently cacu
lated 10 ember still the feeling OF enmiy between the
free and slave States his the only of Congress for
years. directly remotely, bearing upon the subject
slavery which has Appropriated towards Justice 10 the
South and has been met there would disorgan
zng proclamation of an invading foe Public meetings
called TO denouncc it, the newspaper press has assaed
unusual bitterness the preachers Of the gospel have nveehed
against from the pup opposition TO it has many places
oberated party lines and men fevery rank and condition
life of every degree of intelligence and influence have band
themselves together with the avowed determination resisting
the law whilst upon the statute book and Of ultimately ecctng
lis repeal
Virginia and think all the ,avehodiug States can and ought
calmly but explicitly to declare that the repeal Of the fugitive
slave law or any essential modification Of it, is virtual repea
OF the Union The faithful execution of this law my udg
ment the only now left by which the Union be pre-
served with honor ourselves and peace to the country Such
declaration tho will
great rora weight TO the conservative patriots the North
who truth fighting the battle of the Uuon the bosom
Of the savchodng States There mpor
tant trusts committed 10 the hands of any men Their triumph
the victory of order anarchy opeacc boodshed
fire. Their defeat the knc Of the Union for if the fanatics
othe North into the halls of Congress with power
troll the action it, few years only will clapsc before they viii
throw aside every appearance of restraint aud abolish slavery
in the States With the alternative presented u.s. osabms
sion TO s action dissolution of the Union there would
now so many thousands who would shed their blood,
Surely after the sacrifices the South has made it is asking
little when she demands 6 Congress to be faithful the pedg
has given and Of the savehong States abide by
the Constitution OF the country and the laws made decarato
of its obligations.
IT, however, constellation of prudence patriotism can
strain the majority ror the sayehodng States their
hcadong of urpation and wong and should they
peal essentially .nofy the fugitive slave law The most
prompt and decisive action will be required your hands
the people be called 10 take into consideration the
and measure OF redress well the providing for
future security and peace.
Virginia. this event. will have nothing reproach herself
WITH however much she may have regret She has
ted the principles Of free and const tuoud government
waVerng irmnsss Neither the the of Great
Britain could extnguish the love Of liberty her bosom AVID
when the federal government Gurped authority which trea
tened independence she stood the champion popular
premacy and saved the Constitution the advocates
freedom fear that Virginia will er her support of the
great cardinal principles repubcansm liberty and equality
these she will maintain although sho stood alone amongst
nations of the CARTE The time she may select aud
she may adopt will be marked by crcumspccon
the less rcsoute firm because the deliberate Virginia
feels especial interest the Union Of these States upon the
brightest pages lis history her written in letters
Can fade VIZ know It's greatness and feel that cuo
gist is needed 10 proclaim its glory
From the frozen SUBMITS Norway TO the crowded plains
China, the dcnZens Of that region ockug
shores and from Old Point Comfort the Bay San Francis
co, they welcome the fraternity of countless population
happy prosperous aud free. 1t is haowed associations
for Washington stood godfather for the bapisma font of the
the habments of mourning for their children who had died
sacrifice for the blessed boon All that is enrolling the
of men all that pure andeevaed the character of patriot
all that cherished and dear to the affections of the citizen plead
for the preservation OF that constitutions and that Unon which
the giouS hands of fanatca abotonsm attempting
level with the dust Should these attempts succeed in destroying
the equilibrium established the fabric itself fall pros
ate 10 the Garth 1t will longer be the egs oil defence
but the spear for our destruction
Nothing however venerable from its antiquity halowed
by the sacred remembrance of the past itself
along with it injustice, oppression and wrong.
That Union which Washington invoked his countrymen
preserve there true patriot who would not die defend
The Union which fanatcsm would establish in s stead
il no true that should not die to overthrow.
JOHN B. FLOYD.