Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-05-23
THE IMPORTANT-TuE THREAT.

There is class of men, who highly estimate
their capacities and influence, and imagine that
those who are associated with them, are honored
by the association. Such conclusions are the off.
spring Of seli-conceit and the product Of vanity
Men entertaining these conclusions, are generally
endowed with species of prde which, in its OPP
Grafton, resembles the effect of intense sensitive
ness but in its manner of display is far different
Act in contradIstinctlon to these men, and you
will become rcprobates, needing the good counsel
and kind advice Of these wise ones. Oppose the
schemes, which they introduce, and you arouse
their wrath, and must become the victims of their
invectives. Persist in opposing them, and they
will, with indignation, tell YOU that separation
must come. Continued demonstration of the de-
termination not TO favor their views will lead to
an actual separation. In short. These are impo-
tant gentlemen--more so in their own concei
than in the opinions Of others. Vanity and self
concet give this mportance--and it is Sell-im-
portance. With these important gentlemen, the
threat of separation is to couneract the influence
OF every imagined defect And TO redress a wrong
they need not inlict greater punishment than
actual separation.
Our country is favored land and in accor-
dance with present exhibitions, with nothing is it
more highly favored than with these important
gentlemen. North and South, we have them
They have proposed the adoption of measures re-
ing only far enough to cover sections. Mere
sectional schemes, undermining the very founda-
hohs OF our great national organization The con-
sequence is that the patriotism of our people slim
ulates them to frown upon these petty schemes
and to bear down with their influence those who
would thus infringe upon acknowledged rights
and established principles. But as the prelude TO
the threat of this class is opposition to it, this
effort to overthrow has been followed with the
IL n
the timidty of some men is overcome with threats,
these cries of dsunion have gained here and there
an advocate. Encouraged by this apparent sue
cess and dim gimmering of ultimate triumph,
these self-important and threatening gentlemen
have become embodened in their work They have
grown louder in their threaeningS, holder in their
infrngements, and more daring in their sugges-
tons. Pulled with little success, the bubble of
vanity has been swollen into huge dimensions;
and those who stimulated by its swellngs,
have pursued course remarkably ridiculous as
it is conspicuously unpatriotic. They have bid
defiance to their opponents demanded of them
that the most efficient of National Constitutions
should be changed to correspond with their tastes
and answer their desires. And if the nation hurls
at this suggestion that odium, which it Justly de-
serves, its friends assume an antagonlscal posi-
ton and hurl in double fury, their threats of dis
union. The scene is ridiculous as impolitc as
ridiculous, and Intellectual as impolitic.
They threaten disunion and institute their
schemes to effectt. But alas? The failure displays
thr,impotency of the effort and the weakness of
l.. %s engaged in it. Unfortunately forthe threaten
ers, they have demonstrated, by their vigorous
efforts to dissolve the States, their utter ncapaciy
to carry out their cherished idea But, why dis
solve the Union' Simply because they have failed
to bravado the Union into their contracted plans
plans originating in conceit only, made public
by the promptngs of vanity, and vigorously hur-
ried on to their contamination by men endowed
with high ideas of their capacity and influence
The people understand the move and laugh at
its Stiffness. The people know the motive and
repudate the movers. When they shout dis
union, the people cry union. When they through
their leaders, threaten dsunlon to ferment the
nation, their opponents, the patriotic majority de-
stroy the effect by the pursuit of wise course
which will operate equally on all sections of the
Union. The threat is without effect, because
those, who make it, are without influence The
threat of disunion will fall upon those who make
it and will injure them alone.
WASHINGTON-A SOUTHERN PRESS