Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-11-21
SOUTHERN OPINION.


reliable exponen, OF public sentiment. Indeed
il is rarely So unless it be upon questions, with
reference 10 which party lines have been long
drawn, and in regard 10 which The popular voice
has been often heard through the baot-box
The masses Of the people are seldom fro"a
and noisy in the expression Of their opinions. II
is their habit. upon measures, involving only
matters Of expediency, TO abide the judgment
and follow the lead Of those of our eminent pub
lie men in whose capacity integrity and patriot
ism they have most confidence. With regard to
these, sagaoious Editors can therefore seldom
mistake their sentiments and the probable results
of their voting. No, so, however, in regard to
great questions reaching to the very foundations
of Government, and affecting the perpetuity of
its institutions and the desGncs Of States and
Sections. These agitate The national heart and
therefore interest and awaken the popular mind;
and ii Is only when the moment for decisive ac-
ton has arrived, that public sentiment finds IFS
true expression. IN tones which no man can mis-
take, and whose controlling force no earthly power
can successfully resist
The great issue now presented TO the Southern
people of acquieseence in, or resistance TO, the
yarlous measures OF the Compromise, passed du-
ring the late session Of Congress, is one Of this
latter character In its decision, is involved
everything relating 10 the greatness and the well
fare Of the mighilest people upon earth Every.
thing OF patriotic re miniscence-every feeling
of present blessing and every hope, of greater
happiness and renown yet to come, enter as elc
ments of thought into the public mind and will
A &
this all important question. We have watched
with the proioundest interest the contest that rs
waging We have looked to the press. We
have sought the opinions of the lcaddg and in
nuential men of the southern States We have
read the resolutions OF town and county meetings.
We have studied the messages and proclama-
tons of high public tunctionaiies. In short we
have aimed to let nothing escape, which might
AID US in forming reliable judgment as TO the
state of feeling and opinion in the South. With
all these sources OF information before us, we
venture to give the following as jus, exposition
of the southern mind in regard to the Compro.
mise:
ls,. There was not one Of the series of meas
ures embraced in that general term, whose en-
actnent involved breach of the Federal Con-
stiuton
2nd. Though no actual Constitutional right of
the South has been invaded, the result OF the
judicial and will, at a future day be felt, as ser-
ously detrimental 10 her interests.
Sd. Their passage inncts 10 such injury as
would warrant their forcible resistance.
18th They will be acquiesced in by the South,
provided the North abdcs by, and faithfully eX-
ecutes the Fugitive Slave Bill.
9th, Unless this last mentioned Bill is permitted
to remain substantially as ii is aud its provisions
be everywhere enforced diSunon, peaceaby, if
possible, but torclbly, ii necessary, will be nev-
table
These, we have no doubt, will be found to be
the views of three fourths of the people of the
Southern States. In expressing this opinion, we
have before mind, the fact that South Caro-
lima is now ready for DSunion-that an ANNA
ted canvass is being waged in Georgia for the e.
lection of Delegates TO the State Convention,-
that portion Of the press of the South, very re-
spectacle for the ability of its conductors is for
organized and immediate resistance, and that the
Executive of more than one State is opposed to
what in the familiar language of the day, is
termed submission by the South" But not
outstanding all this, the public judgment will,
, eventually be found TO be in every particular, as
we have indicated above. II is vain to use
, the language of denunciatlon and abuse. 1t is
vaner still to appeal to sectional prcjudices. And
il is valnest of ALL to attempt TO the pas
, sons of the multitude, and 10 urge them in the
madness of their fury, to discard the fairest pc.
lcal heritage tina, has ever fallen 10 the lot OF
man. The injury TO their rights must not be re-
mote and speculatlve-it must be actual and inn
mediate, before the Southern people wlabandon
the Union with tho peace, prosperity and safety
II has ever bestowed, and hazard in lis stead,
war, with the untold caiamties, which are its in
variable Concomltants. When wrong of this
latter nature shall have been perpeirated-whe
the people shall feel that the Federal Consttu-
tion no longer ava'lS to protect them-when in
terest, honor and safety shall thus call upon them
with united voice to reSiSt-then forgetting those
things that are behpd,' the South will do all tina,
the eXigencies Of the crisis shall require. There
will be no need then of exciting appeal-ofexhor-
atons to harmony of sentiment and of action
and of labored demonstration to prove that they
will be benefited by dissolution of the Union.
No, no, there will be no need of all this. But the
ibern noppla ,,pit,Jl. 1