The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-20
Virginia and the Vermont Nullinoataom
Law.

Law.
The following is the special message of the Co
vernon TO the Legislature of Virginia, upon the
late action of the Legislature of Vermont -
To the General assembly of the State of Yugimia:
Gentlemen herewith transmit to you pre-
amble and resolutions passed by the Convention of
Indiana, assembled to revise the constitution of
that State and the report aud resolutions of like
convention OF the State of Maryland. The spirit
IN which they are conceived must be regarded as
favorable omen, and they excite the hope that the
feelings of bitterness and dissension which per-
wade the coniederacy, may yet pass harmlessly
away. There are, indeed, porentous nantes
tatons of deep discomfort at the South; and these
have been heightened and intlamed by the course
recently pursued in Vermont. The Legislature of
that State has virtually, by statute, annulled the
law OF Congress for the recapture of fugitive slaves,
which alone induced the Southern States to ac-
quiesce In 1.-THE late compromise measures. Yer
mont has thus inflicted upon the whole South at
once an injury and an insult. To neither, can we
with honor or selfrespect submit.
There must be distinct, immediate and final
settlement OF the question of slavery between the
slave-holding and the Don-slave holding States If
the present agitation is continued, the Union will
inevitably be destroyed. If this element Of dis
cord be removed, cause of feud remains to
leopaTdize the pemanence of our confederation.
No honorable means should be left untried to re-
store and perpetuate tranquility. For this we
should exhaust every measure of Cancellation and
forbearance. We can scarcely pay too much for
the restoration OF that fraternal harmony which is
the life,blood of our federate organization, and
which alone can for any length OF time preserve
the Union. In discharge of the duty which the
South owes to herself and her citizens, she must
maintain, at all hazards and at any cost her honor,
her equality, her independence, and her essential
rights. In proof OF her devotion 10 the Union, she
must be prepared to sacrifice all else to her sense
of patriotism.
The late action of Vermont demands an instant
settlement of the issue which has so long distract
ed The country. The recent action of Indiana
seems TO indicate that the time is propous for its
smicable decision. For the restoration of COM
plete and efectual harmony, would suggest a
measure, in which the patriots of all sections, and
all who reverence and are willing to abide by the
constitution, may CO operate.
would recommend the adoption by the Legis-
ature, OF resolutions inviting all the States of the
Union to unite in sending delegates 10 represent
ought TO assemble at an early period, (not later
than May at Baltimore, or some other convenient
central point, for the purpose of bringing to an
end all sectional controversies relative TO slavery
To secure that end, the principles which should
govern the action of the convention ought to be
announced in the resolutions by which IL Is called
All shosld be invited TO unite in this movement
who are in favor OF the perpetuation OF the Union,
and who, TO attain this result are IN favor OF the
Fugitive Slave law, honestly and cordially en-
forced who are opposed to its repeal essential
modihcaiion, and who are adverse 10 any further |
agitation OF the slavery question, either in Congress
or in the States. With this the South win be |
content; less than this can only eventuae in the |
die solution of the Union. The action of such |
convention, if successful, aud fully sustained by
the non-slaveholding States, would satisfy and |
quiet the South; If unsuccessful. il would prove
that the friends of order and the Union are impo-
tent TO control the fanatical passions which are
now urging on a speedy dissolution. II is a mea-
sure which addresses itself to TO partc uar party
and refers to no political organization but asks the
cordial support of every true patriot in all sections
OF our widely extended republic, and which alone
seems adequate TO redress or avert the terrible |
evils under which the country now labors, or Of
which it is apprehensive.
To render this measure effectual, and to relieve
the deliberations of the convention from the tram
mels by which it might otherwise be embarrassed, |
would further recommend that such resolutions |
be accompanied with the sincere and earnest ap-
peal OF the State of Virginia, speaking through her
Legislature TO her sister States OF the South, en-
treating them to postpone any extreme action in |
relation To present difficulties, until the result of
the deliberations of such a convention could be |
known. The restrictive measures which the Le- |
gislature may adopt, might be made dependent for |
their continuation upon the ultimate action of this
By i as qd2Rllap 81 Sf ssna In
fraterna harmony, or the South enabled to present
united and unbroken front to the assaults of fana-
teal sdversaries The finet must be the sanQuine
hope OF all lovers of freedom and their country; |
The last must be the sole refuge of Southern inde-
pendence only when all brighter hopes are proved /
BY this last effort TO be futile and vain The motto
of the South must be, as IL has been, Union, if we
If we must.
| have the honor to be, very respectfully, your /
ooedent servant, JOHN u. FLOYD.