The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-07
From the Portsmouth (Va.) Whg.
What must be the position or Virginia In
case of Dissolution.

Should the fanatical endeavors of those who are
interested in the disunon of the States result in
other than that, which all good men would wish to
be the end Of such attempts, it would be well to
ask and determine the query at the head Of this
article. Though we cannot suffer single doubt
to enter mind of the utter defeat of the machi
nations of the dsturbers, yet we have been disap-
pointed in previous instances, and it would be
well not to rely upon this belief without exami-
nation of the reverse OF the picture. Though al
ways firm in the resistance made to encroachmcnts
upon her rights, Virginia has ever been loyal and
devoted to the Union. There has been bat one
voice heard coming from her people, and that
has been sufficient TO rebuke the efforts and dis
union sentiments that unhealthy ambition and
aspiring individuals have sought TO engrait upon
her loyalty. Having, her northwest, State
whose entire sentiment is founded in abolition, in
daily association with citizens OF that State, yet
she remains unmbued with any kindred spirit.
The institution that has been left her ''heri-
tage of Woe" she has endeavored to preserve in
form the end of which is, the ameoratng the
condition of the slave. Though, from the physical
formation Of a large section of the State and its
productions, slavery has yet been in its infancy
and the natural presumption of which would be
hostility to involuntary servtude and its propaga-
J O'NeS'N'A
Virginia State menaced, the people of
this section, through their representative agents,
have man and denounced the at
tempt.
This she has done in the Union. But could she
preserve this firm stand if the Confederacy was
dissolved, and the constitutional barriers that now
surround and envelope her as with magic mantle
were destroyed? Could she maintain the institu-
ton of slavery if she desired it, with the hostile
forces of Abolition undetcrred by that instrument
which cements the States together IL is the Con-
stitution alone that has enabled Virginia hitherto
to sustain herself and her institutions and what
ever may be the pirate about a law higher than the
Constitution-an expression too often used by the
South as well as the North--there will always be
sufficiently patriotic spirits to cling to that pre-
server of our liberties.
Letevcry Virginian who venerates the ancient fame
and esteems the institutions Of his native State ask
himself the question that introduces this article, and
with the lights that will be presented to every intel
hgent, reasoning mind, there can be but one reply.
Surprising dissolution of the Union should sue
coed, and reward the efforts that now being
made for that purpose-and say two coniederacies
be formed Of the present one, having for their dis
tictions slavery free soil-the line Of separation
must pass near Virginia. If on the North, sepa-
talbS loIeiBh peopic-iuauC 30 ny an
tipathy to our institutons-what security would
there be for that species Of property for whose sake
this ACKNOWLEDGMENT would be made? Would there
be single obligation resting upon the people Of
Ohio Pennsylvania 10 deliver up to their rightiul
owners fugitives from labor Would you use the
strong arm and desolate the fair scene by carnage
and wo? Or would you quietly sit down under this
iniliction and wait until time and abolition anatics
had rid you of your slaves and made you, neces-
state, free State? One Of these two things must
be the consequence, if we left border State.
with large amount Of capital invested in this pro-
perty. Suppose for an instant that the people of
Virginia preferred having the line, in of dis
union, upon their southern border; what must be
done with the hundreds of millions of slave capital
she now possesses TO enttle her to become free
State; Will the extreme southern States permit
this great influx of slave immigration, and the con-
sequent departure of a large amount Of their mo-
neyed captaR or will the philanthropy Of human
nature go entirely paralyze the money nerve Of the
slave owners in Virginia, TO cause them to part
with their property without quid pro quo? What,
then, must be done with them?
When this view of the inevitable result of dis
union is contemplated there will be but few found
10 advocate a scheme so obviously destructive in
any and all Of its phases. The ardent attachment
Of Virginia to the Union will require greater shocks
than il has yet felt 10 her TO forget the bene
fits accruing from it, and make her fly "to ils she
knows not of"