Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-03-14

the lnefhclency of the general government 10 le
Slsate upon the question Of slavery. as 10 ope-
rate equal on all the sections of the Union II
the National Legislature touch the question oil
slavery, with its legislation, that legislation must
be positive and any positive legislation upon the
question must result in injury TO one party or the
other Yet, again. The question of slavery was
not one pertaining TO the General Government,
inasmueh as the institution of slavery was a Sec
tional institution. To the General Government,
then, the regulation of this question could not be
lntrusted, nay should not be. Yet slavery exist
ed as question of legislation; il was, therefore,
committed TO the Legislatures of the States. But
to endow the States with the power to legslate
upon slavery, did not end the work. The Cen
elal Government received prohibition which
prohibition secured To the States the right 10 le.
gislate upon The question, thus placing it entirely
beyond the control of Congress. This DISPOSE
ton having been made OF the slavery question,
the Constitution was framed. Ii went into opera
ton. The Union was conSummatcd by the adop-
ton ofthe Constitution and ithas been sustained by
its operations. The Union is based upon the Con
stiiution. Has the Constitution preserved the
Union Under the operations of this Consttu-
ton, the Union has not only been preserved, but
its strength has been augmented its glory IN
creased and its interest promoted. But, notwith-
standing that this Constitution may have effected
all Of this, it is possible that il may have failed to
secure the rights of the States unviolated. But
facts are to the contrary. notwithstanding the
fervent solicitations of a Northern clique, the au-
thortieS Of the Government have not lcgislated
upon slavery. The States have been left in the
enjoyment of their privileges, and upon them the
General Government has not iniringed Infringe
ment has been proposed but the Constitution has
interviewed, and States rights have been saved
Ir,tr b, lpcin he
Union.
hat is the policy TO be pursued Let rea-
son answer. lift be better for the States to re-
main in the Union, and the Union is based upon
a Constitution sufficient to sustain IT, reason and
prudence advise continuance in the Union
Why should any other course be pursued Do
Northern aggleSsionS justify, upon the part Of the
South, dissolution The aggressive schemes
of the Northern aboli,loniss, and the growing
popularity of this clique in the Northern States,
have afforded us cause for alarm at the South,
and demanded, upon her part, prompt acon.-
But it is to be hoped, that the South will not con-
denim the North, by her past acts, without refer
ence to present Indications The finn position
of the South and her appeal to the North have
not been without an effect. This effect is seen
in the recent vote upon the resolution of Mr.. Root
And we have now before Congress scheme with
which to test the feeling and disposition of the
North towards the South. The South has inhe-
rent rights, an exercise of which will endow her
with power. Among these rights is the privilege
of forming out of her territory additional States
the enjoyment Of thi, privilege will increase the
power of the South, in that department Of Gov
eminent whose peculiar province it is TO be the
guardian of States rights. The Compromise of
Mr.. Bell provides for the increase oil the power
of the South in the Senate. The question will
no rpbn al TO .bo tnl 10 "a 10
await her action : The ground of complaint is
not that the Constitution has been violated, but
that the North seeks its violation. If, then, the
North grant TO the South an endowment of pow
er, the ground OF complaint will be removed and
the best policy, yea, the only policy, to be pur
sued continuance in the Union, protected and
maintained as it is by the Constitution.