The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-21

important bearing upon The existing agitauon on inc
country a, both extremtes OF the Union She has been
impassioned and precipitate action. and has
waited in the hope that returning sense OF reason and
OF duty would render any interposton on her part un
necessary with those States and communities in which
feelings OF discomfort prevailed She seems to have
waited long, and almost in vain AT length the governor
has felt il 10 be his duty to bring the whole matter to
the attention Of the legislatures and this he has done in
special message which we propose briefly TO review We
do not entirely concur in all the Recommendations Of Gov
Floyd and yet with much that he says perfectly
agree and 50 far as respects the lofty patriotic
per- and the dgnifed style Of his message. we express
our unqualified admiration and approval 'a'
We will proceed to how far concur with him,
before we touch the only point which we respect
fully dissent We agree with him that II Is highly
say and expedent that the legislature Of Virginia should
Jake this subject OF agitation upon the rights Of slavery
into consideration that should be devised TO
check this agitation in the North, and to bring about II
practicable. union and harmony Of action among all the
States Of the republic, to this end that the action Of Yer
mont is alarming and most refractory, and Gala for
prompt and ectua reputation the part OF every other
State the contederacy and that the Legislature Of vr
gina ought to unite in earnest appeal to all the south
en States 10 wait patiently the further progress Of affairs.
Whatever Is feSOlVeu Ctncc
march firmly and tremendously together in the path that
duty to themselves and to the Union CONSTANTS them to
adop that path lead to acquescence tread it hand
in hand il TO resstance TO march shoulder to shoulder
into the breach Thus far agreehus far happily
pursue the same road together.
We come now to the point from which we dissent
That point is, the recommendation for call OF national
convention, to eary-perhaps as early as in May
next We cordially approve the plan OF holding con.
vention Of all the States, il any such convention be
deemed necessary. Sectional conventions, in the pres
ent crisis OF the country, partial and Intellectual
dies. They prodsce little if any good. Whatever j.
done should be radical and effective.
The chief grounds on which we object to ana
tonal convention at early day are these J
The time is too short to organize the movement.
some time being essential for Virginia 10 prepare
the proposition to be submitted The legislatures Of
Mississippi South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas,
Vermont. and Ohio either have just adjourned or will
have completed their abos and adjourned before this
project can be properly maturei for their action would
be difficult reassembe them in time to provide for the
occasion. q We think the first attempt should be directed
the action OF the States themselves 10 end this wanon
agitation against the rights OF the slayeholdng States
This be done by adopting. in the Virginia Legislature.
basis OF Stale action somewhat in its general outlines.
like that OF the Georgia convention, and earnestly calling
upon all the other States TO rafy and conhrmt Perhaps
it would be advisable, ALSO 10 request the respective
legislatures instruct the senators and request the rep
reseniayes in Congress from each State faithfully to
aihere such general principles Of compromise and to
lepress all further disturbance Of these slavery
ures which have been already adjusted by Congress II
would also be advisable 10 request every State in the
Union 10 act these propositions, one icdy the other.
and TO solemnly pledge the faith and honor OF each
State abide honestly by the that il saw fl. in
this instance, pursue and approve. g. The develop
ments respecting the passage Of this Vermont nliing
statute, which have to light even since Governor
Floyds message afford some reason to hope that the
people OF that State may take in hand this gross fraud
that has been pracised upon them. and repeal this OBJ
noxous act OF their accord. Should they do this.
one OF the main assigned by the governor Tor
national convention will have been removed. The sug-
gestons which take the liberty Of making provide Tor
this object, and for similar contingencies. The rssolu
tons proposed be addressed 10 all the States BY the
legislature Of Virginia will necessarily call the alien
ton OF Vermont to this subject Thus for good or for
evil, would the policy Of each be distinctly avowed and
made known. The legislatures OF Pennsylvania, New
York, Massachusetts, and other northern States, well
as southern. will assemble, and their inclinations
must be shown Within less than year can the legis
aiive action Of every State in the Union be obtained
and this will demonstrate on what footing the
whole matter rests. iime-say year-might Be fixed
within which each State should be respectfully asked
express their concurrence in thsss
of slavery adjustment, or in their stead 10 de-
clare their plan OF action When the ground is thus
carefully surveyed the South and the North viii each
know their position, and how to regulate their
duct Suppose the people OF Vermont should. as we
have some they would think proper 10 re-
peal their multiplying law. and the people OF Ohio
should become more rational and consderae OF the rights
OF the South than some OF their members OF the Legs
lature have manifested disposition TO be would not
these facts be worth taking into the estimate in resolv
ing wha, to do in this emergency We believe no man
can deny the propreiy Of this Or. the other hand.
suppose Vermont were To- pefsevere in her lawless
course, and Ohio, or any other State, were 10
become infected by her example, and the other
northern and western free States should concur IN
such great principles Of concord as were aisiscio TO
the South would this stale OF the most materially
affect the system OF remedies the South would feel called
upon TO pursue But all the nonslsveholdns States re-
fuse to cooperate with the South. 50 lsge proper
ton Of them as 10 render satisfactory adjustment on
this basis mprsctcable then national convention might
be called by the legislatures Of Virgins and The other
49,