Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-09-18
THE pIsuN1oN PARTY.


who not only desire the dissolution Of 'hs Union,
but are using every instrumenality "i'hn reaen TO
effect their reasonable purposes 1reat efforts have
been made by these men TO gather party around
chem in The Southern States, for the purpose Of re-
,stng the concialory measures just passed by Con-
s,ess after months Of wrangng and discussion, and
which have been received with shout of rejoicing
by large majority of the American people. The
SSouLhsrn Press" paper which we have always
looked upon as inhammaory and violent, has, since
the passage Of these measures, developed more fully
the policy of this dsunon party. The first ground
upon which they base their hopes of dissolution is,
the refusal Of Texas TO accept the terms proposed in
ihs Bill adjusting her boundaries. Should such be
the case, the question must necessarily be decided
by force of arms aud it is hoped by these patriots
that the South would make common cause with Tex
as. In this expectation we believe they are 10 be
sadly disappointed; because, in the first place, we
think that Texas will accep! the terms Of the Bill,
and, secondly, we cannot believe that the 'whoe
South" is ready to sustain the course of Texas, in
her claims to New Mexico, by the sword Could
we witness without emotion the sacred majesty OF
the Union dragged into bloody conflict, and hacked
and stabbed BY those ungraelul hands so lately ex-
tended to us for protection? We believe we speak
the general sentiment of Virginia we know that we
express the unanimous feeling Of this central section
of the State, when say, that flag OF sectional
treason will ever float over these mountain battle
menis ill some holier cause than that of Texas in
spires our devotion.
Another ground upon which the dsunonists rely
is, the solemn resolve of the Georgia Legislature,
pledgng the people Of that State to elect members
90 State Convention, in the event of the admission
Of California as State. The Governor, it is said,
feels bound to act in accordance with Instructions,
and all Southern dsunionists look the Convention
as the last ralyng point The "Press" does not
pretend to advise Georgia, bu! publishes the act of
her Legislature, by way of ntimalng that she is full
" committed and cannot back out. We apprehend,
however, no danger from this Convention, should
it assemble for we do not believe Sal the people of
that State will ever endorse any Ahe of dsunon
or secession. So far as our observation extends the
great mass of the Southern people continue to main
tain mistaken loyalty 10 the Union, despite the res
olutions Of their chivalric legislators.
That the object Of these agiators may be distinct
ly exhibited, we annex few specimens of their
"ialk" The aforementioned Southern Press spoke
as follows upon the passage Of the Texas and New
Mexico Bill:
eve shall have immense canting abOu! peace and har
mony, but there is none The two Houses of Congress
nave become c0urauce for the prosecution of
predatory by section another through the for
mality of majority vote, and with immense expend
ture of words, words words.
The question, however, gees to the people-and
drst to Texas and Georgia On the they adopt will
depend much the destiny of the South All accounts
from Texas unite in expressing her determined opposition
this scheme. As for Georgia, she has spoken through
her legislature, and multitude of public meetings. Let
her now prepare for her Convention.
When winter the legislatures of the other South
ern States will assemble, and we will then see what they
meant by their resolutions last winter lfhey shall deter
mine that in declaring their resolution to resist the Wmo
Proyiso tey meant the name, and not the thing, then they
will have ended the most comprehensive and memorable
farce that has been enacted before the civilized world
and the South will have sunk to rise more
'Unwept, unbonored and un,ung,'
Bu; before that becomes her fate, it opinion that
MANY banner will be torn,
And many knight to earth be borne"
Beside this printed PLATFORM we have the declara-
lions Of individual members of the party For in
stance Mr.. A. G. BROWN, Of Mississippi, declared in
the House of Representatives that he twas for turn
ing the matter over TO the people now, and letting
them dispose of il, and SO help him God, he ,cas for
resistance" Among the Virginia Representatives
who have resisted every measure calculated to re-
store tranquility, Mr.. JAMES A. SEDDoN stands pre-
eminent II will be seen from the annexed para
graph that he stands side by side with Mr.. BROWN,
an open advocate of resistance. These remarks fell
from the lips ofths gentleman during the tendency
Of The UIah Bill:
"Fom the dominant majority here we can expect no re-
dress-nor even the simplest justice. We speak to sealed
ears to fixed minds But beyond them there is get porer
may roke nth hope. To the sovereignty Of the Peo-
pie there may still be appeal! and there may find Poe-
or 10 resist wrOngs and maintan rights In my humble
Judgment the honor and the safety OF the Southern people
are involved in the issues of these measures and TO them
with the confidence which their history and their character
Justify let US refer becomes THEN representatives. the
determination Of the ertent Of The tcrOng done and the
mode and measure ofredrcss.'"
And again:
al know not how the gentleman from Georgia can view
This matter with equanimy. confess, with more even
Of sorrow than of anger that in my poor Judgment by the
contamination of this series of ouages, the slavehodng
States ,ei' be lOwers from their position Of equality and
dignity IN this COqtederaey and subjected hereafter to the
oppression u not TO The scOrn Of their past equals the free
States Of the North"
Nr. Seldom will not make much, we apprehend,
by his appeal to the people. We venture to say the
course pursued By this gentleman and his colleagues
will be Indignantly repudia!ed by nine-tenths of their
constituency.