Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-02-21
THE UNION-AN APPEAL.

has not always been the effect of governments,
constitutes no proof that such is not lis aim, but
rather does it show that in consequence of some
detect, either in the government itself or its
administration, II has not been directed to the
proper end. We do not infer from the opera
tons of government the result to be effected
but from them we infer the adequacy made
quacy of the means which il employs. The ex-
istence of people in a collective mass creates the
necessity for government the wants of this mass
furnishes government with the objects of its e-
gislation, the manner in which these wants are
supplied constitutes test, by the employing of
which we detect the efficiency of government
The government of the American Republic has
been applied to this test, and the verdict of the
impartial and candid is alike natterng to its
founders and credtable to its administrators
Yet we find an effort being made to dissolve the
Union, which is but term, expressive of the an
Inhalation Of the government. We ask of the
friends of disunion 10 pause, il it be but to hear
Ifprudence be needed a pause will ensue
passion will then cool, and reason maintain her
ascendancy. The natural and inevitable result
will be calm deliberation upon the course to be
pursued and the consequence of hasy action.
We have entire confidence in the power of our
government TO promote the interest Of the people
and full reliance upon their good judgment and
patriotism We therefore should never have fear
ed disunlon; but the country has been wrought
into state OF high excitement under the intlu-
ence of which il may act with haste. We know
If the people will but pause and reflect the hand
of the dsunionst will be stayed The day of
agitation has been brought near TO its close. The
notes of preparation for the final adjustment are
sounding, and We await, in suspense and fearful
anxiety. the result. True, the agitated waters
are subsdng and we have some promise of a COM
ing calm. But the rushing of distant winds por-
tends coming storm, and the louder roar of the
disturbed waves tell us that all is not peace
True, the fury of the mighty storm has passed
over and left us apparently calm Bu' the present
condition of the nation resembles that calm of a
summers evening, which precedcs the bursting
of the thunder clap and the glare of the lightning's
flame. When "contending armies are drawn up
in hostile arrav" fearful suspense and deadly
silence said to ensueitis the pause of the brave
collecting courage; it is the silence ofthe prudent
rejecting upon the result The excitement Of
the buge's summons has died away, and the pause
OF the warrior upon the battles eve is that which
ensues. The pause precedes the action, and the
agitation, which interrupts it, is the movement to
engage.
1t is never too late to warn; the day of recon.
Citation has not passed; then we ask the people
listen If they must act, and TO hear before they
strike. Consider that which YOU do ! 1t is not
only the course of prudence but Of wisdom, TO
not ensue, and reflect that the right course may
be adopted.
The agitation, which now threatens a severance
OF the Union, arises out of a marked sectional dis.
similarity IN the States, some Of the States favor
ing the institution OF slavery, others opposing If;
the agtaors then are the advocates of slavery and
the advocates of ant-savery. In stating the ques.
ton fairly, so as to We an adequate and descrp-
tive account of the causes OF the agitation we re-
IL l,nt H.,
ton. The positions fthe parties are these thu.
friends OF anti-slaverv believe il incompatible
with the principles oil free government to toler-
ate slavery; the advocates Of slavery assert that
the General Government admitted them as part
OF the compact while conscious of the opinions
which they held; they, therefore, protest against
The course OF their opponents as uni ust. This is
a pr test to which no one who is acquainted with
the history of the formation of the Federal Con-
stituton, can object; admitting this, the injustice
OF the ant-slavery aglator appears. We then ap-
peal to him to pause, but if he should not pause
we ask the South to think calmly and deliberate.
ty before it resorts to disunon.
The severance proposed is that of section from
section. Reason dictates that since the sever
ance proposed is between sections, the agrees
sion proposed should be contemplated BY sec
ton. BY the general term section we include
the entire habitaton of that section and not any
peculiar clique or party, who may reside therein
True, the action of individual inhabitants, when
shey reflect the will of section, becomes the ac-
10. ion OF that section; therefore, when an aggression
as proposed by individuals, we naturally inquire
whether those individuals are acting in compli-
ance with Or in opposition TO, the will of the sec
ton. There are modes for detecting this When
unanlmity of sentiment prevails throughout
region OF country, that sentiment may be regard
ed as rejecting its will. But does this unanimitv
prevail throughout the North In Mr. Van Blu
rem the Northern Abolitionist had the embodiment
OF ms principles, yet Northern sulfrages were
cast Tor Southern President The recent action
upon The resolution of Mr.. Root, is proof against
the unanlmity of the North There is dssenson
IN the North. The Abolitionists Constitute j., f,c-
tous band and while we NAV fear that thew have
tncreasedin numbers and influence, we ask oftbe
south to make yet another appeal to their reason,
before they resort to disunion.
The Senate, in its legislative CAPACITY. is en-.
gagged in calming the agitation and staying the
hand of the invader of State Rights; while the
other department Of our national legislature has
rejected with positive and firm vote, an effort
o. lhe Northern aggressor TO inAct upon the
SCUM fatal blow. All of this engenders hone,
ana while we would not shut our ewes to the an.
9roacn OF danger, we are willing for while to in
eoige ia hopeful anticipations for the future.
But while we ask the South TO be loval in her
attachment to The Irn;o, ya h,.ao,h -,