Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-03-20
THE UNION.

Gentlemen The scales That are 10 decide our
national dosing fur many years, are still vibrating
+ in air On one side, we find the accnmulaing
weight u sectional preiudices and passions, and on
The 0lheri the affections Of the people with their
haIlowed memories and their most cherished hopes.
All ewes are turned to the Seat Of Government, a
waiting the momentous issue with intense and anx-
ious interest. Under such circumstances every
word has its value. Every patriotic sentiment, ev
ery lust observation which tends TO enhance our es-
innate of the inheritance we enjoy, must contribute
its influence to The great Tide Of popular feeling
which, ! trust, is soon u sweep into oblivion our
pfeseh. dissensons and their mschevous authors.
Aihrw me therefore, whilst my own feelings are
ardenUy alive on this subject, To occupy portion
of your columns in an humble attempt To illustrate
the value Of our Union, and the considerations for
which sumo perverted minds have proposed TO bar
Ter it sway. What is it worh--ths fairest politi-
cal fabric ever reared by human hands? What ad-
vantage have we as a people derived from it, and
what would we ose by its ruin 2 These Questions
have been solelnnly propouIded and eluduenly an
swerbd in the Councils Of the ialioI. But SO vast
is the subject, and SO pressing has been the multi
tude Of special topics denandng discussion in those
bodies, that full justice could not be done ID theme
which calls for The sober investigation of history
would not presume to undertake such task my
SELF but may be pardoied for calling attention To its
Importance may be pardoned for attempting 10
turn the public eye more steadily 10 those blessings
which, under Providence, we actually enjoy, and
turning il away from certain great sources of discon
tent and foreboding apprehension.
DOWN TO the present day it has been the custom
Of our people, all parties TO recognize The Union
as all inesiuiable bIessing-the object Of national
pride, and the theme Of universal praise. We have
pnhlic festivals In rix tbovi in
paying it homage We have assembled around our
favorle altars To return thanks for lis preservation
In all our social and political meetings we have
it honored with delight, and heard it detained with
horror. In spite of all the subtle logic addressed 10
our heads, the moral power Of patriotic feeling has
retained the mastery over our hearts. 10 short II
has ever been the habit Of the great mass OF our
people, both South and North. to revere the foun-
ders of our Union, and To bless them for The inner
iiance. But this general sentiment has not been
founded solely upon grateful recollection OF lis
igin. IL has also arisen from rational appreciation
of its benefits. Under lis protection we have grown
in population from four TO twenty millions, and in
nnmber from thirteen 10 thirty cUrnlnonweahhs all
these are in fall possession Of religious, and nearly
all of political and personal liberty limited only by
barriers erected by ourselves. and pure in i,s exer
else than any ever enpyeG by man. We have un-
restricted lfeedom of speech and Of the press, a
boundless empire over which to roam in search Of
pleasure or Of fortune, inhumerable prizes open To
our ambition, and every thing that can be desired
to protect our privileges promote prosperity!
In the midst of all these unrvaed advantages and
enjoyments there never has been hut one serious
source of discomfort. Slavery alone has poisoned
the cup Of our happiness and threatened us with
ruin.
But our review ofihe benefits Of the Union should
not be limited 10 It's positive and direct influence
1t has been our safe guard and only refuge from a
thousand perls. # has saved ms by combination
of strength from the aegressions Of ®n nations,
and it has saved us by internal barriers from sue
cession of civil wars What would have been our
fate in the war Of 1872 if the Sou,h had stood alone
against the vast power of Great Britain? What
would have happened if New England had been,
as it is probable she would have been the ally of
our enemies? Imagination recos with horror from
the abyss of humiliation into which we would have
plunged. But foreign wars are blessings in com
parison with civil cohmoiion. Noohe can conceive
the horrors Of our condition it this Union had never
existed. Wars between States, sections and races,
South American anarchy. and chaotic barbarism
would have shrouded this Continent in gloom,
dimming the hopes and hushing the aspirations Of
mankind.
,Fhe Union is that which gives us national