Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-09-04
TIE HARRISBURG AFEA1R.

The recent decision of a Pennsylvania Court, that
horse-stealng is iustifable in negro when making
his escape from his master, is we'll calculated TO a.
rouse indignation in the most tame and peace-lovlng
bosom. We certainly feel our own blood little
stirred, not with hatred for our blessed Union, but
with the spirit Of those who founded on principles
Of equal right and with an honest regard to the ten
ure ofpropery in the South. We witness with pain
and sorrow the degeneration of their sons, mani
tested by these repeated acts Of injustice on the one
hand, and of tame submission on the other. Cali
fornia Utah and New Mexico are mere distractions,
in comparison with aggressions like these We care
nothing for the extension of slavery, but far as
is literally guaranteed by the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, we would maintain ii involate for the
very sake Of that sacred compact, Sat every hazard
and to the last extremity"
The remedy for all these evils is not to be found
in the absurd policy pursued long by Southern Ill
traists in Congress, that Of backing out inch by inch
from urenabe positions, declaring all the time that
each retrogade step shall be the last. We must take
position which all the people Of the South can con-
scientously occupy, and which they will unanimous
ly and unwaveringly maintain.
We consider the article Of the Constitution which
provides for the surrender of fugitive slaves, TO be
that impreguable position which the entire South
are prepared to stand, and from which they never
can retreat without dishouor and ruin 1t is time
that the North should understand where the lim, Of
our patience lies. They should be emphaically
taught, by action well as by words, that, call the
| remedy what they may--secesson, notification or
rebellion, whenever that line is transgressed, the die
will be considered as cast and the signal given for
immediate separation.
We have been looking forward with hope to the
passage of the Fugitive Slave bill through Congress.
But recent events would seem to show that, in
Pennsylvania al least, acts of Congress are TO have
little weight with the Courts It is TO ourselves to
the manly attitude of united people, that we must
look for guaranty of those rights which even plain
articles Of the Constitution fail to secure. Let the
South no longer friuer away time and talent in friv-
olous debate about territories, where slavery will
never exist from the nature Of things. and concen-
trate all her strength upon obvious defensive line
which she can be unanimous TO take and unflnching
TO defend
We utter these sentiments for The snke of the u
Mon, the safety of which we think depends upon the
course Of the South on this question. 1t is from no
disposition to fan the flame of sectional luminosity
Would that there were much less excement,and more
harmony among the people of the South A uniform.
all-pervadlng devotion to the Constitution of our
country and to all the rights it secures, The sentl-
ment which we aim to promote, and upon which we
build last hope for the preservation Of the Union
A SLIGHT MIsTAKE.-From the first number of
the bedford sentinel," Wing paper just started at
Liberty, Bedford County, we clip the following
"EGcilemsnt IN Statnton.-Just we areSgong to
press, learn that the good people of Stanton in
considerable ement in consequence Of an order from the
Governor Of Va for the Of merchant Of that place
on the requson Of the Governor Of n. York. This
chant, is alleged recently purchased goods in the city of
New York to considerable extent on false pretences; on
being informed of which the Governor of New York sent
requson here for his delivery the authorities of that
State The citizens Of Saunton, however, for what
son we have heard, refused permit the arrest and
great excitement exists. They doubtless have good
for such high handed proceedings"
! The Sentinel" has been sadly misinformed as to
the conduct of citizens in regard 10 this affair
No resistance was made to the execution of the law,
the merchant alluded to being now confined in the
public Jail of this County. Some threats may have
been made by few young men of the "Southern
wing" in reference 10 his removal from Slaunton,
more for the purpose of intimidation, however, than
any thing else. Considerable indignation was felt,
especially by the mercantile portion of our commu-
nifty, against the Phladelphian, who was looked up
on as kind Of Shyock demanding his 'pound of
flesh,n but this was exhibited in the most innocent
manner imaginable,
We have ayoided an alluson TO this matter here
tofore, from regard to the feelings of the gentleman
under arrest, whom we have always looked upon as
an homes. and honorable man.
| g. correspondent who has occasionally favor
ed US with poelical contributions sends the fol-
lowing neat little squib in which there is perhaps
as much truth as poetry:
EPIGRAM
An outcast baby nation came
! And knecng cried, annexWs!
We listened to the foundlings claim
| And took it home, to veT US
Now, grown to empires lofty air,
/ No longer she respects Us,
But like proud disdainfu fair,
| Contemus and reject; US!
Now ask you who? The Muses. swear
The old coqueiter, takes as
e. The Hon. Nj. Il. McKENNoN has resigned the
Department of the INTERIOR which he held for brief
period The cause ASSIGNED is i'll health, in conneX