Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-10-22
For The Register.
Agitation of the Slavery Question:
Pretended SympathieS, &c.

PfeIenueu SynpdthiCS, oSS'
MEssRs EpIroRs In former communca-
ton warned the Northern fanatics against the
danger of too long encroaching on the rights OF
the South and the fear Of third power being
called in, will now endeavor to shew the SINH
larity bstween Northern aggression and the
TYRANNY of some of the Grecian States over
others and the ultimate downfall Of that Repub-
lie.
The relations of the United States, at the
present time, are something similar to that OF
The ancient Republic of Greece, during that
period OF her existence in which the smaller
states suffered SO materially, from the tyranny
and domneering disposition Of the larger and
more powerful members of that confederacy.
Thus tyranny and oppression eventually, led to
the downfall Of that ancient and venerable Re-
public and to the most wretched degradation
and infamy Of the most noble and generous
hearted race of people that has ever inhabited
any section of the globe. Athens, Tbebes, and
Sparta, held respectively, their domineering
sway. In vain was the voice ofLycurgus, Scion,
and Demosthenes raised to denounce the impru-
dent policy which they knew must inevitably
lead to the ruin of this people, and TO the down
fall of the Republic.
Had the Athenians been actuated by spirit
of magnanimity and forbearance, during the
period Of their prependorancy, had the Spartans
been actuated by the same principles to their
neighbors, who were in the minority IN the ma
tional councils, then Greece might have hoped
= for perpetuity of her confederacy. But this
was not to be anticipated from the state Of pub
lie affairs. Athens, to the smaller states Of that
Republic, like the North to the South at the
present day, so soon as she found herself TO be
the predominant party, began her system of in
fcting the burthen of support upon the smaller
members, Of whatever + olicy suggested itself to
the minds of her demas;ogues in their widest
Sc otIricp Pirbto fia.
right was yielded by the minority. Accession
after accession was granted with the vain hope
of appeasing the ceaseless and unrelenting re-
ouisitions of an oppressive majority. Burthen-
some taxes and oppressive restrictions were
forced upon them from time to time, until they
at last saw themselves degraded from the proud
and honorable position of brothers confederate,
10 be the dupes and seryile tools of those whose
faith was plighted before God in the face Of
high Heaven TO live with them on terms of friend
ship, equality, and brotherly union. Had the
court of Areopagus discharged its duty without
faser or affection 1T might have had the effect Of
nuelling the sectional lealousies which eventual
" led to the downfall Of the Republic. But ia
stead of being what it should have been, the pro-
tector and arbter of Greece, the guardian and
security of the rights Of the minority against the
encroachments and expressions OF the majority,
Il became in many instances, to be the lnstru-
ment of oppression and abuse in the hands Of
the latter to wipe out the liberty, equality, and
;ndependance of the former. Its members, as
unfortunately is too often the case with men sud-
denly elevated to stations Of honor and trust had
NOT in many instances the manlineSS and indie
tendance to assert boldly the principles of JUS
lice and equality, irrespective Ct the current OF
nonular prejudice. They too often lent them
selves to acts Of the most abusing character for
delayingthe considerationof self ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Whatan Xample ofvirtue ndPatrlotlsmWould IL
have been to the people of Greece, had PlSIstra-
t,,s and many other ringleaders Of factions, been
,rraipned before the court Of AreOpagus, con
Jemned of treason, and made to suffer the pen
oItv his conduct so Justly merited. What an
cxamnle of virtue and patriotism, would 1t have
Leop ifthe first infamous agtator OF the subject
~ aholitionisn had have been arraIgned before
tho supreme court of the United States, COZ
demned of high treason, made to sulier the pen
altv of an adequate reward, and his bones lett 10
bleach upon the gibbet as just reward Oh ms
,no~;t as an emblem of the retributive justice
that awaited those who would be likely 10 iol-
low in his foot steps.
Sectional icalousies seems TO have been the
nrin,ary cause Of all the principal domestic lac
lions of Greece. Sectional Jeaiousies IN the
limited States have now arisen 10 such degree
nc m threaten the dissolution OF the Cnon L ne
6rSt sectional ealousies of any consequences
pC W
IS Snoria TO help rebuild the burned and dilap-
;a.tnd Albanian cities which had suffered from
~ ;rvos;on of the PersianS. This fact eyinced
- s,,;r;t Of jealousy not 10 be mistaken, and which
a,Iokened in the breasts of the true patriots,
Coars for the welfare Of the country. In tlrn, A
tbens having risen to state OF magnlhcence ana
srlendor once more, beheld, with secret exulta-
ton. the partial dePopulation OF sparta by an
osr,bonake and refusal in this awfnkscrs.s 10
aPaInSt rebellion oil
har S,.ves. ia like fate was now to beiall the
Co,tb what a cause Of eXutation would 1t be
IN same of the fanatics OF the Norm. lhey
1,ould not only rejoice in our mlsforlunes, AND
rof,,sc us their assistance, but they would aid
and abet the slave in raising the Sniie against
the throat Of his master. In examining more
,or,icnlarly the affairs Of Greece alter those IN
ffot;ons and violations Of her public faitn, we
ace rautual iealousics to have ARISEN IN almost
orory ,nember of the confederacy, and contlnu-
;nr 81 sbort intervals until they finally ended in
,bo oyerthrow of the Republic. The Phecians
boy;nr violated the sacred rights of the Oracle
oC DeIpbos. The Amply ctons having the
Guardianship ard protection OF the reilgious
rights sacred to the temple OF APpoiio, cohfded
10 their care, undertook 70 oE"'s 'i'e SaIt
otr.ndcr 10 feel the weight of justice, by lmpo-
s;no mon them ine for disPc ling The Temple,
which they refused TO pay. lhe fhacians, be-
;ng abetted, by tn. Atheuans and the Spartans,
;n heir refusal 10 answer for their offence 10
the violate d God, caused the ThebaI.s with some
of the other smaller states of Greece to take
sides with the Amphyetiors, and Greece Stood
divided against herself IN cIS, o's a Inc inc
;nCrior 10 that of the former at last determined
Them 10 solicit TIC aid &C Philip Of Nacedon,
fatal error in attempting to qGel domestic fac
tcn, and winch s~ avs ends in ensiaVing the
COUNT, thai is neceesi,a,ed to sec- foreign pro-
tectlch