Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-03-26
THE CRISIS.

AT the Mass Meeting of the Democracy ofthis
County, on Monday week, at the Court House
in Chatiestown, the following preamble and res
~olutions were offered by Col. BRAxros DAvEs-
PORT, and adopted. The list of grievances, and
the remedies recommended, will etrike every
reader as cminently true and just
WHEREAS, a crisis seems TO have ariseDint the
affairs of these States, united in Federal league,
and, whereas, that crisis seems to have been pro-
duced by a long, ceaseless, and insidious course,
of individuals ut first, in the North, then by as
sociations, and is now and has been for many
years backed by The legislation of the different
States north OF the Potomac, by which our right
of property, secured by the guarantees Of the
Constitution, in our slaves, has been Invaded and
in fact rendered insecure
And, whereas, while this aggression was The
work OF individual fanaticism, and even OF asso.
Citations, we were disposed not 10 complainant
when fanaticism has SO far p~redominated over
bro.herIy and social feelings as not only
10 prevent the recapture of our slaves who
may leave our service and be found in their midst,
by legislative cnactments, by which our citizens,
pursuing their fugitive property, under the pro-
visions OF the Constitutions, are subjectedto yexa-
tiuus, Onerous, and expensive delay, but
TO incarceration in their lbattlsome jails among
felons, and imprisoned as felons-wlien they
in pursuit OF their property are turned over
by ,;his same Legislation TO the fury OF mobs,
that are unchecked by Executive authority
when they, thus pursuing a legal course are as
sailed and murdered-yes, murdered-and by this
same system of Legislation the murderer is SUI.
GeTed to escape
when these things occur and when to them are
supera1ded the denial of a Governor of New York
to surrender, under a demand from The Executive
of Virginia, a fugitive from Justice who had felo-
nionsly stolen a slave from Virginia-under tile
prCtext that New York did not esteem such an
act fclony-and the attempt now making in Con-
gross, and about to be Conshmmaied, OF excluding
the inhabitants of the South from emigrating
with their constitutional property to any and
every portion Of territory acquired by conquest
from Mexico, by the joint labor, joint ca pital, and
joint blood of the South and The North and the
sa!he furious fanaticism is driving Congress
~hea6long 10 dismember by legislation peaceably,
or by arms, forcibly, If she l~esists, a sister State
o!lhe South, recently invited into our Confede-
ration by the Congress of these United States.
4 course thus marked by one State 10 another,
having no brotherly ties, would be cause Of war,
and when such a course of long continued and
unrcmited hostile aggression marks the conduct
OF the Northern portion of our family towards us
1.-THE South, it becomes us 10 assume an attitude
demanded by the crisis. Therefore
ReSmtred, That in separate and unc0nncCtcd
action we can present no defence TO Northern
aggression.
That we are therefore driven 10 look for CO.
operation from our DTPlnTen OIL INe SOuIu.
That we approve the course OF the Legislature
OF Virginia, at its recent session, looking iorward
to our protection from aggression.
That we would suggest 10 our brethren OF the
South that while these aggressinns continue. we
cannot view the people OF the North in the light
we would wish, as brothers of one great family,
but must hold them as alien and hostile in feel
ing-and as an act of justice to ourselves, as one
of protection, we advise our own brethren, those
Of The South, TO interpose by Legislation a system
oil nnn-consnmption of Northern manufactures,
aud Northern productions, hereby pledging our
selves to support them in such a course.
On motion of R. w. BAYLOR, Esq the follow
ing resolutions were offered and unanimously
adopted:
.ReS0lred, That The thanks. of The Democracy
oG:the county OF Jefferson HTr1uur ut'l' arc hereby
teudered TO the Hon. ID. S. Dickinson, of New
York, for the firm, patriotic, and decided course
he has pursued towards the Sonth, and for main
tanning the guarantees OF the Constitution in its
sltictest sense. 7.
Res0lred, That in the letter OF General Lewis
Cass, of February 18th, in reply TO an invitation
extended TO him by tile sterling Democracy OF
New York, to unite with them ut a meeting 10 be
held at Tammany Hall, "in defence Of the int
gritY OF the Union"-wef find its language breath
ing The true spirit of a noble patriot, teaching
the doctrine of the Constitution, and intoxicating
throughout tie whole of it, sentiments Of true de.
vot;on TO the whole Union, {" which consider the
rights Of each the rights OF ALL"
j.. MORGAN, Chairman.
G. II. LEWIS, Secretary.