The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-15
From the Richmond Times.
Central Southern Rights Associate

Central Southern Rights Association.
At a meeting of the Southern Rights Associa-
ton ofvirgnia held at Temperance Hall, January
10Th, the proceedings Of the previous meeting be-
ing read, and the list of members added since the
previous meeting being announced, Col. Morgan,
from the committee Of seven, appointed to prepare
an address to the State, reported the following adj
dress, which unanimously adopted:
FsAo,c- Citizens Of the Slate Of yrginia!
From the accompanying Constitution, you nre
prepared 10 hear the reasons which have urged us
to the formation of this society. and to know why
we seek your aid in form so grave and serious.
A long and unreenting warfare has been sedu-
lousy and constantly directed ngains the slave
property OF the Southern States, descending to
every arti6ce, and addressing itself 10 passions
and preiudices, cherished and defended by decla-
rations and arguments, that have left nothing
cred in the Constitution or laws under which
exist as a Republic. The sacred vocation Of the
gospel minister Of our holy religion has been
made tributary to the vest fanatcism, whilst
whole section Of the Confederacy has outraged us
with statutes and laws, enacted at the bidding of
Abolitonists, and carried into effect without
moments discussion, which, in any form, nd
mtted any rights in us, as joint associates, in
form Of government deriving its authorities from
the people and the States of our Federal compact
Our fathers, with generosity never equalIed in
our own, the whole OF the Northwestern Terri
,ory now converted into five great States, repre-
scnting in the Senate Of the nation a constituency
equal TO FIVE times that of Virginia. With this
princely offering to the union OF these States, de-
cent regard FIR the great State, who was its giver,
should have commanded, at all times, an unguali
fed respect for her opinions, and sacred regard
for her rights. But thirty years after these trans
actions, Of such magnanimi,y and generosity up
on our part, violent and turbulent agitation
~c.t.x n tt. Ivsz,N. tt.
nant discussions relating TO the sdmi ,son of Mis-
souri into the Union. We then, in common with
all the States, submitted to an arrangement, by
which north of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes
latitude, slavery should not exist.
Amer this further aggression Of Northern pow
er upon Southern rights and Southern institutions,
we had believed that an equilibrium, permanent
in its character, had been established, but
doomed TO disappointment, for, but recently, an
other and more dreadful nroad upon our sacred
rights has been perfected, although our solemn
resoIver in The highest constituted form known
to our institutions, the legislature of Virginia,
have three separate times announced, through our
representatives in the National Congress, our Sc
r;ous and determined opposition to the abolition
of the slave trade in the District Of Columbia,
and to the application of the Wilmot Proviso to
the territories, acquired by treaty with Mexico,
or to any tract of country south Of thlrtysix de-
erees thirty minutes north latitude. But, morti-
flying the recent ncis InpiclnS tHese gross anu
insolent insults on our beloved State were IN ev-
cry form, we are obliged TO state, that we are Sc
riousy impressed with the opinion conveyed in
the recent scenes enacted in Northern States, that
the Fugitive slave law will not be enforced. by
which our property is TO be restored TO US under
the Constitution and form Of Government, under
which we now exist Republic. Pennsyvo-
mia, New York, Vermont, Ohio and Massachu-
sets, all have statutes conflicting with the execu-
tion Of the Fugitive slave law. But recently two
citizens Of Georgia in the lawful pursuit of their
property; went to Boston, and after being sub
iected to every species Of insult, were compelled
10 return to their native State without obtaining
the property known to be there and within reach
OF the officers appointed by the Federal Govern
mcnt The means by which these unla wful ends
were perfected are too I, esh in your recolections
10 need recaptulaton. Scenes disgraceful.
acts no reckless of all the obligations Of citizens of
Republic, do not require any denuncations from
us; the instincts Of every Southern man cry on,
seaipst them, whilst retaliation OF a lawful and
constitutional character too clear and necessar
TO be discussed. But beyond these monstrous
proceedings, the legislature of Vermont has al
mos, unanimously declared against the Fugitiv,
slave law, in form revolving and insulting to ar
extent beyond endurance
But recently, a citizen Of Virginia went to New
York for the purpose Of rec aiming fugitive
slave. and although the proofs were too strong &c
admit of question, yet the delays and veyations
attending he proceedings, mark state OF bio
sentio,ent. rtsolute and determined to war ogains
our rights and our interests. The determined re
sstsnce in this cnse OF Henry Long. rs IN no form
satisfactory to any Southern citizen. because
moor man. whose means will not enable him "a
encounter the expenses and delays, IN any recap