Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-12-03

measures calculated to shew the non-savehodng states
that we are resolved to respect at their hands
Tor rights and our property Inc slavery agltatlon
is direct attack upon both; and the Connecticut res
olutions fair indication OF the Northern senti-
ment We may be allowed TO indulge the hope
that more mature reflection Will work a benefcal
charge in their minds But in the meantime, we should
shew to them by acts, that we have the peaceful
and lawful means at our command, to retallae upon
them for their gratuitous intermeddling with our
slaves. A necessity exist for increased amounts
of revenue, and earnestly recommend to your consde-
ration the propriety OF laying tax upon all products
of the non savehodng state offered Tor sale within
territory. 1t can be easily accomplished. and Will,
in my opinion, constitute the most peruasve OF all as
guments to ensure aproper recognition OF our gnIs;
Let inspectors be appointed for each county and
town In the states, whose duty shall be to exam,
inc all manufactures brought into their districts and
let tax OF ten cent be imposed upon such as are
found to be manufactured produced in the nonelave
holding states. 1t should be provided, moreover that all
| merchandise be taken and regarded as the produc,
ton OF states unless sufficient PROOF
to the contrary is afforded by the vender. would
| also recommend that such tax be imposed upon Tor
eign goods imported through non'sav eholding states
as will offer efectua encouragement TO direct impor-
| taton into our own ports.
And this brings me TO the consideration OF our federal
| relations
| Since your adjournment congress has closed the
most protracted and important session ever held under
the present constitution OF the United States. Its de-
| alterations marked by feeling at once acrlmo-
NOUS and sectional, and especially characterized. on
the part ofthe Northern representatives by spirit OF
startling aggression upon the rights OF the South, and
the institution of slavery The result of their action
has been to place the Union the most momentous and
difficult crisis through which has passed. Some
OF its enactments have produced feeling OF deep and
bitter dissatisfaction at the South whilst the law for the
recovery of fugitive slaves has been met with recep-
ton at the North little, if at all short ofopen rebellion
and utter defiance This state things has grown out OF
an unwarranabe interference on the part of congress,
with the subject of slavery and is another proof oil the
great danger which must follow any attempt, on
the part OF that body to transcend the clear wel-dehn
ed limits set by the constitution to govern and control
| their action
That restless spirit Of fanatcism which, for the last
twenty years. has been tostered in the free sates and
directed against Southern slavery, has, last grown
to such fearful magnitude that it now threatens Sc
| riously disruption OF the Union. 1t will require
| calmes deliberations and coolest but most deter
mined resolution, to Withstand the shock it has pro-
duced, to our honor and our rights, which it n-
wolves, and the Union which is itself periled in
| the STRIFE To act with rashness or precipitation is
at once the bonds which unite US; alter
in the occupation of the ground we have assumed or
| in the maintenance of the principles often avowed
and so strenuousy maintained, is TO forfeit our own
self respect the respect the nation, and to bring about
state OF things which will ultimately lead to the in
| evitabe overthrow ofslavery Itself.
The resolutions passed by the last legislature avow-
ing distinctly the grounds Virginia intended to main
tain, have not been explicitly violated by any action OF
congress- and yet the legislation intended to remove
the OF disturbance, it is much to be apprehend
ed has failed of its effect. We fail to be
sibe of the great sacrifices incurred by the South for
of all the priceless domain, won from Mexico, chiefly
by the vaor OF Southern there not left open OF
that worth having one square foot for the occupation
of the STAKEHOLDER. 1t would be an idle attempt to
disguise the fact, that this injustice rankes the boz
som ofthe South and nothing but the earnest hope,
that this action OF congress has settled forever all ag
itaon of the slavery question, could, or ought to re-
concie us its But if peace and quiet can be
restored, if the constitution shall be respected and the
Union preserved we may regard the Sacrifices,
great as they are, light in comparison with the objects
we attain. Should this reasonable expectation prove
faacous and the abolition agitation be still continued
in the halls of congress- it will furnish proof convincing
and conclusive, OF that fixed and settled hostility to
slavery the part of the North which should and will
satisfy every reasonable man. that peace between
impoasble AM then necessity stronger than all law,
the necessity of self preservation will demand at our
hands separation from those who use the re ationshp
Dfbrotherhood only tor the purpose OF incling upon
us the worst acts of malignant hostility.
/ There has been a repfehensble supneuess at the
| South upon this slavery agitation, and to this in
great measure is owing the present alarming posture
ofaairs We find excuse for this alone in point
Of view we have been unable to realize the fact that
injustice monstrous and folly great, could
4 md advocates in majority OF the Northern people
We know the value Of the Union to them, and we have
always believed to be too apparent to themselves, to
warrant the though for moment that they would es
pouse the cause of anatcism, leading them, as 1t does,
to the violation OF every principle dear to the hearts OF
patriots and men. We have been unable to understand
how the sound, discriminating judgment of the Nor
thern people could be so warped by the pursuit OF
deusve phantom, to precipitate themselves into
gulf of rreparabe ruin, in the vain hope OF attaining,
by the laws otcongress an object which mountains OF
treasure and oceans of blood would be inadequate to
accomplish. A few amongst US, to be sure, have for
years been persuaded and have endeavoedo persuade
others the dangers which bese paths; but until
recently they were not much needed. The proce-
dure of the slavery agitation attracted but little general
notice during its progress, and yet the history OF pre-
sens one ofthe most remarkable chapters in the chon-
| ces OF any nation.
To those familiar with the peculiar form of our gov
ernment-who know that, in all matters not direct
ly embraced with the provisions OF the federal con-
sttution, The separate states distinct and disunt-
ed, as the Kingdoms OF France and Germany-the gra-
pfar ut
appear to be the most arrogant, presumptuous unjust
and Ubiquitous outrage ever perperaed by civilized
people upon another All the authority given Congress
directly indirectly to speak upon the subectof slave
~, sn single clause OF the constitution whchIimposes
upon them the duty of providing for the recla
nation of slaves, who Ascending from their masters
find their way into free states And yet the right has
been claimed by agators in congress to abolish slavery
in the District OF Columbia in all the forts and arse
nails throughout the slavehodng states to prohibit the
citizen of one state from selling his slave to the citizen
OF another state and to declare that no man owning
slaves shall be allowed to emigrae with them to terri
| tories, the common property of all the states
These movements ips congress the results OF hos
tly amongst the citizens OF the free states, to slavery
exists amongst us-one which has exhibited itself
in them in manner much more offensive even than
that displayed in the halls of congress. Some of them
have by law prohibited their officers of every knd un
der heavy penalties from rendering any assistance in
arresting fugitive slaves; they have refused the use OF
their ails for the confinement of abscondng slaves,
though they often imprison the master going in pursuit
of them. They have passed laws, which put every
| master attempting 10 TecapluTe MS runaway negro
within their borders in imminent danger OF being tried
as felon and sentenced to Imprisonment in their pen-
tentaries The chief executive authorities Of some of
these states have, in direct obedience to the provisions
ofthe United States constitution, refused deliver up
fugtves from justice upon legal and proper demand
because the offence with which they stood charged,
was that OF negro stealing Slaves themselves charged
with felony and escaping into the free states. have up
on demand being made for their delivery tugitves
from justice been refused, the ground that laws
constituting certain offences felony, were not recognized
by the free states which the slave had fled. |. is
thing ofconstant occurrence TO see the master, in pur
suit of his slave openly nsulted and outraged, treated
with more contumey and contempt than if he
himself fugitive from justice, fleeing for the crime of
murder.
Every device which parliamentary law would al
low, in the halls OF Congress- and countless expedients
in the free States have been resorted to- tor the pur
pose OF irritating, insulting and njuring the south. 1t
is no longer amaer OF surprise that excitement and
| evaporation both now exist to alarming extent
amongst us, in consequence of these acts.
But the spirit in which the law for the reclamation