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

PrHnSy lvana is entitled maintain THIS acllsn These
positions all contested by the company, and with good
reasou But il they were all sound, such an ordinance,
when reuae As rule of action Tor State ought not TO
be so construed as to deprive her OF he authority to esab
sh works Of public utility and in the attainment Of this
object to impose limits on the exercise Of the right of
ua ton bv her own citizens equally with Others OF the
proprety of the limits actually imposed by the construction
of the bridge by the declarations of the State is the
proper and sovereign Judge.
will be perceived that the principles involved in this
are OF the gavest the rights and interests
of the commonwealth; and it may be well questioned
whether private company should be subjected TO all The
expenses of heavy litigation suit in which the State
principally interested and in contendng tor decision, In
which, if obtained the State be the chief beneficiary
would therefore, recommend such legislative action as
Will protect citizens against oppressOn ghtu ju
rsdicon against successful encrsachment, and will not
leave the whole weight Of State duty and oexpenses in
Cured Tor the benefit Of the State the shoulders VI pr
vate company.
The Legislature last year made handsome Donation 10
aid the Colonization society in its abors Of philanthropy
The money appropriated under that law has not been called
for any great extent aud he subject still demands your
earnest attention The free people of color occupy
aOus position amongst They have scarcely any
OF eemanS privileges and not much OF the security per-
tanning to slaves in whom they excite feelings Of jealousy,
while they are regarded with suspicion by the whites Elk
ampeS of intelligence, honesty and worth, are not wanting
amongst them and probably for this the harsh
often proposed in the Legislature, by thuse who feel
the evils of the increasing numbers CT these people, have
been carried into laws. That this population has grown
10 be evil all admit but how it TO be remedied, few
agree, To Danish them by law of the land without
SSance or provision harsh aud cruel. 10 allow the
mischief to grow still greater contrary the dictates of
wisdom and sound policy.
would propose that equal sum with that appro-
priaed by law the Colonization society," be apart,
be expended in the following Whenever it shall
appear the satisfaction Of the board authorised
ntnl tho VI, p1att,
that free person of color has removed beyond the borders
OF this commonwealth and las actually purchased land,
then shall be their duty advance the person per-
sons, removing the that would have been APP
propraed for his their transpO atiOn Liberia under
the present law. This would hold out the bet
ter class of these people, nIucemen, and the
90 and settle themselves where the pudces and jealous
les felt here have existence With provision Of such
munfcence this, the legislature would be fully justified
In resOrtng to such cOeclve for their removal
under other circumstances would scarcely find sanction in
public opinion home abroad. would also recommend
the passage Of law supeSedng eNpatraton TO the pun
hment for every conviction Of free negro for petty lar
ceny The details Of such law would be simple and eff
| fcacious.
received sundry resolutions, just before snd some
since your adjournment from different States, touching the
subject Of State rights and the agitation Of slavery. They
are herewith communicated.
am persuaded that the safety and welfare of Virginia
demand at your hands mild, c0nciatory measures,
calculated show the MISUNDERSTANDING States that we are
resolved TO respect at their hands for rights
and property. The slavery agitation is direct attack
upon both and the Connecticut resolutions fair nd
cation of the Northern sentiment: We may be allowed to
indulge the hope that reflection will work
beneficial change in their minds. But, the meantime,
should show 10 them by acts that have the
peaceful and lawful means at command, 10 relaiae
upon them for their gratuous intermeddng with
slaves. necessity exists Ur increased amounts Of
revenue, and earnestly recommend to your consdera-
ton the propTiey of laying tax upon all the products Of
the nOn-savehoding States offered for sale within
rory. It can be easily accomplished, and WILL in my
opinion, constitute the most persuasive of all arguments
ensure proper recognition of our rights
Let inspectors be appointed for each county and town in
the State whose duty shall be examine all manuiac-
lures brought into their districts and let tax Of ten per
cent be imposed upon such are found to be manulacu
ed produced in the slaveholdng States 1t should
5e provided that all merchandise be taken and
regarded the production Of non savehoding States
less sufficient proof to the contrary afforded by the
der would also recommend that such tax be imposed
Upon foreign goods imported through slaveholdng
States as will offer efiecua encouragement ~ direct lin
portation into our own ports.
And this brings me 10 the consideration Of our federal
atlons.
Since your adjournment Congress, has closed the most
proraced and important session ever held under the pre-
sent constitution of the United States It's deliberations
marked by feeling at acrimonious and section
a and especially characterized the part OF the Northern
representatives by spirit Of startling aggressions upon
the rights of the South and the institution OF slavery The
result Of their action has been to place the C3on IN the
momentous and difficult crisis through which has
ever passed. Some Gifts enaclmens have produced
feeling deep and bitter dissatisfaction at the South; whilst
the law for the recovery Of fugitive slaves has been met
with reception at the North, little ifa ali, short ofopen
rebellion and defiance. This state Of things has
grown out of unwaranabe interference, the part of
Congress, with the subject slavery and is another proof
of the great danger which must ever follow any attempt.
the part that body to transcend the clear and well de-
fined limits set by the constitution 10 govern and control
their action.
That restless spirit Of fanaicsm which, for the last TWEEN
y years. has been stered in the free Sta and directed
against Southern slavery, has, at last grown such fear
ul magnitude that threatens seriously dlsrup-
Of the Union. 1t will require our cames deiberaon, and
coolest but most determined resolution TO withstand
the shock has produced to honor and rights
which it involves and the Union which itself now pered
in the strife. To act with rashness precipitation is 10
sever at once the bonds which unite US faer in
the occupation of ground we have assumed in the
maintenance Of the principles so often avowed and
uousy maintained is to forfeit self respect the
respect of the nation and TO bring about state OF things
which will ultimately lead to the inevitable overthrow Of
slavery itself
The resolutions passed by the last Legislature avowng
distinct, the grounds Virginia intended to mainaln have
not been exp cy violated by any action OF Congress; ana
vet the LEGISLATION offended to the of disturb
ance is much to be a2resnded, has failed Of It's effect
We cannot fail to be sensible OF the great sacrifices IN
Cured by the South; for of all the priceless domain won
from Mexico chiefly by the valor Of Souilern men, there
is not left open of that worth having, square t9o' tor
the occupation of the Stakeholder 1t would bean iGe at
tempt so disguise the fact that this injustice rankles in the
bosom of the South and nothing but The earnest hope, that
this action of Congress has settled forever all agitation Of
the slavery question: could, ought reconcile to its
course But peace and quiet be restored, if the con-
sulon shall oe respected and The Union preserved, we
may regard the sacrifices great they are light in
comparison with the objects attain Should this reas
enable expectation prove fallacous and the abolition ag
taon be still continued in the halls OF Congress it will urn
s proof convincing and conclusive, of that fixed and set
tied hostility slavery the part of the North, which
Should and will satisfy every reasonable that peace
between us is mposslbe and then necessity stronger