The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-12

SdLiOiHd hCSodSS. His 10 hot Tic pro-
per occasion, nor the most opportune sea-
son, to combat the differences which
require to be calmly and dispassionate-
ly considered. Without further introduce
ton, we therefore submit his address,
adding merely, that such Of our Southern
readers as estimate the local fealty of their
representatives by the violence and fero-
city of their invectives at this juncture,
mete out their praises by fallacious, not
to say fatal, standard.
| WAsHISeToN, February 8, 1850.
To my Constituents
| Of the l4h Congressional district in Virginia.
| GENTLEMEN: Great disturbance of the public
mind is at present felt, growing out of the agita-
ton of the slavery question. Fears for the perpe
tuity of the Union has become common senti-
ment The relation in which stand towards you
demands that should express my own views on
this important question. The confidence have in
the sound and healthy sentiments of those repre-
sent here requires, also, that should as now do,
ask your counsel and advice in a matter 30 deeply
interesting TO US all.
| will direct your attention to the action of the
| Legislature of Virginia, now in session. Resolu-
tons are at present pending before that body the
distinctive features of which are, Recommended
ton to send delegates TO the convention TO be held
at Nashville in June next. Secondly, the call of
convention of the people in their several districts to
elect delegates to general southern convention,
upon the happening of either OF the following events
through the action of the Federal Government,
that is: LIST, the passage Of the Wilmot proviso in
i laws for the government Of the Territories: I'd,
! the passage of any law abelishing slavery in the
District of Columbia: Sd, aboishing the slave trade
in said District; 4th, prohibiting the slave trade
/ between the States
To some of these resolutions have serious obiec-
tons. To remove all suspicious that my opposition
may arise from sectional motives here make the
declaration that go with Virginia for veal for
wo. My best efforts shall be exerted for her, be
she right or wrong, but my ardent wish is that
Virginia may be right Every thing dear to me
of earth is centred there. The prospects of the
glorious future to those who are to follow
me, are more interesting than any good or Ill
that can befall me in this remnant of life.
My first objection is to sending delegates to the
Nashville Convention. Is this not premature? Has
not Virginia on two several occasions lately de-
cared her firm determination to resist aggression
| on her rightss Who doubts her sincerity? Is
a more inhamed state of the public mind, in
creased by the sympathy attendant upon the col
lection of large of persons desirable for the
peaceful and wise settlement Of this question: Is not
| Virginia in precisely the situation that she
has been for the last twenty years, Then, as now,
she had Just TO complain Of the refusal of the
northern States 10 afford means for the apprehen-
sion of abseonding slaves. No act Of the Federal
Government Tin view Of this subjccD has intrenched
upon the rights Of the South, unless you include as
such the Wilmot provso, engrafted into the Oregon
BILL But that insertion was in conformity 10 the
Missouri compromise, in which measure Virginia
participated in and assented to. If the Union is Of
value-if rapid and inconsidcrate action may prec-
piate its dssolution-ifc GOODNESS and calmness and
wise patriotism have heretofore been necessary 10
its construction and preservation. do we not hazard
something in sending delegates to a convention,
where, in all probability, will be found those Of
heated and excited minds, produced from the con-
temptation Of real supposed injuries insults
Where, in all probability, elimination in the South
will re- produce elimination in the North Where,
most likely, some indiscrete persons will make
wholesale denunciatons Of the North. including,
therefore, those noble patriots Of that country who
stand up for the interests and rights Of the South
and will not that body Of our true friends be broken
1
shall point 10 the South and say behold those
whose interest you have advocated, preparing for
dsunion at Nashville"
Win it not be more dignifed in Virginia, after
what she has already said and done, To await all
further action until some overt act Of aggression
shall have been committed And, il committed at
ALL will not the melancholy hour Of separation and
blood have then come sufficiently soon to satisfy
"A the most fastidous Of those who have a taste for
that state Of things'
The second objection to the Virginia resolutions
is this: Why make the abrogaton Of the slave trade
in the District Of Columbia a for angry de-
nunciation and hostile the part Of vir-
ginia! when, at this very time, IL Maryland or
North Carolina were to transport negroes with the
intention Of making the city Of Richmond mart
for the sale Of slaves, they (tbe slayes) would be-
come free from the operation Of the laws Of Yir.
ginia--if am correctly informed
In all other matters contained in the resolution.
] agree that If passed attempted TO be carried
into operation by the Federal Government, they
would all, either Of them, BE- in violation Of the
rights Of the South, and that the South would no,
only be eIcusable, but in duty bound 10 resort "a
modes Of protection and redress But do not hes.
Iitate 10 declare that even in that emergency i
would be better TO throw ourselves under the pro
lection Of the broad shield Of the Constitution and
the laws, while they subsisted, than TO resort "a
disunion, TO revolution, and TO force
! give il 10 you my opinion that the Union il
safe, although assailed by the sickly and mawkish
humanity Of abolition and the more strong spirit OF
political ascendency addressed to It's sensbilities
But disunion is not in the hearts Of the people.
will give you cheering evidence in support Of this
opinion Of very recent occurrence. On the 4th Of
February, there was laid upon the table Of the
House Of Representatives bill for the territorial
government Of Deserct and New Mexico, contain
ing the wilmot proviso, by vote Of lO5 10 rs.
Where did obtain this majority for the preserya-
ton Of the Union'-by adding to the vote Of the
South that Of the true hearted Of the North and
West And here indulge me in the remark, that
the security Of the property and peace Of the South
depends not 50 much upon councils and conven-
tons among ourselves IL does spon the cheerful
recognition Of the conduct, and careful avoidance
of Of the Of those Of the North and the