Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-11-20
yEpERAL POWER.


ing, har-spliting politicians who are disposed to
deny to the Government those physical energies
which necessary TO carry out its legitimate unc-
lions There have been some speculative minds in
the South, even in Virginia, who could Distinguish
better than ourselves between the right Qualification
anu 'na' Of instruction, and imagine circumstance,
"n'ch woul1 justify State resisting the operation of
regularly passed and properly authenticated law of
oongress, and yet continuing to enjoy the blessings
'.hd immunities secured by the confederation. Some
Of them have even proceeded so far in the refinement
of their political views TO say that the powers of
the Federal Government are purely moral, and must
entirely depend for their exercise upon The favorable
disposition of the community in which they are put
to the test These opinions have hitherto been con-
fined to the wealthy gentlemen ofleisure in the South
ern States who have had little else to do but to Spec
uate at large in the regions of transcenden,a phi
losphy. The more practical politicians of New Eng
land have not only ably refued, but most triumph
an'ly Tidculed them, as the absurd productions of
idle and sophisticsl dreamers. But the scene is now
wonderfully changed. The spirit of sophistcal in
ventIon has begun TO manifest itself with The greatest
activity IN those regions where has hitherto been
scorned, and the most refined community of New
England is now the very hot-bed OF .NiMhfcaiion-
A tempest OF excitement against law of Congress
acknowledged TO be CONSTITUTIONAL has been recent
ly rocking the "Cradle Of Liberty" itself, and the
name OF Boston has been desecrateG by most un
efforts to evade its execution.
1t true that Massachusetts has as vet been gull
~ oil no resistance in legal form. We do not believe
she will be. We have lately expressed, and still re-
peat that we entertain an abiding confidence in the
devotion of the great body of the Northern people
to the Constitution and the Union II is those who
are dissatisfied that make themselves here and every
where, heard, utiering the language of menace and
aggression. Thegrea conservative peacelovng mass
es OF the population remain silently occupied in their
daily avocaons They will never be aroused per-
haps till The great question shall arise, whether this
Union shall perish; and then we irusta mighty host
OF patriotic bosoms will be gathered from the North
and from the South to forfy and defend the glorious
Inheritance.
But we must say that the scenes now so frequent
ly enacted in Northern communities present most
Notifying illustration Of the instability of human o.
pmion They show us how little sincerity belongs
to what are called political principles Blu. i. is not
only in this light that we lament their exhibition
lhey weaken al every successive stage the moral
power Of law, and throw the Government necessarily
back upon its physical resources for the perpe,uaon
oil It's existence. The more men question the moral
obligation Of obedience to The law the greater dan
ger then be of resort 10 such measures as are
necessary to enforce it, No Government is worthy
OF the respect of foreign nations that conesses itself
incompetent TO sustain its dignity at home. What
ever may be said Of State Sovereignty, it is obviously
the design and principal end of our Union TO present
10 other powers an aspect Of sovereign dignity which
should command their respect and secure our own
safety 1t is therefore of the highest Importance that
laws oil Constitutional design should be efficiently
carried out The moral power of the law has amos.
always been sufficient heretofore; but it is painful 10
observe how much it has been diminished by the
growing habit first fostered in the South of calling
in question its solemn sanctions. is now very fire.
quenty asserted, by those whose wishes are the ia
theirs of their thoughts that the fugitive law cannot
be enforced in the Free States Now we boldly de-
clare that if law Of Congress designed only to car
ry into effect literal provision of the Constitutions
cannot be executed, Oh account Of spirit Of popular
opposition 10 its primary object, then this Govern
ment will have become the most contemplate in the
'ivilized world-the laughing stock Of all nations
where any government is considered necessary. Its
embassies would be secuted from every respectable
Court, and its flag insulied OH every shore. The
Union Itself would part like snow wreath, and thir-
y-one petty States occupy the place now filed by the
most splendid and most prosperous Republic of the
world.
The CULrEPER MoB-The refusal of the Grand jury
If Cupeper to present the persons mpca,ed in The ne