Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-19

We haye never joined in these expressions Of
dlstrust of Western Virginia which some have
INDUCED. We have advocated the mixed basis,
warmly and zealously, because we believe that Or
some other mode of protecting slave property ii.
representation, ntrinsicaly right, and particular
ly imporantn the present state Of our federal re-
lations. Our views accord very nearly with those
of the Fredericksburg News, in the following par
agraphs, though we cannot say the contest is an
unimportant one
In its practical bearings we have ever looked
upon this contest as much. ado about nothing The
effect will be the same in locating power beyond
the Mountains as retaining it in the East. We
have no idea it could be exercised to our oppres-
sion. The Valley and Piedmont Virginia, are
identified in interest, and upon any question in
volving the taxing power, they would be together.
Jefferson and Berkeley and Frederick and Clarke
and Warren--Iiampshire, Augusta and Rock
bridge are large slave-holding counties. They
would 90 with Piedmont and Underwater, and
give protection to our slaves But is it expedient
or proper we should yield right held sacred by
every freeman? Property alike with life and H.
berry forms fundamental principle of govern
ment 1t needs greater protection than the others
tor the reason that it cannot protect itself. God
has given us the physical means to protect our
persons. But property is exclusively the creature
of government and valuable or worthless as the
law-gver throws around it protection and securi-
ty.
There is another principle in this controversy
which is important because of its influence in an
other quarter. The discussion in the Convention
embraces the same issues which have agitated the
North and South. 1t is in part the same question
bo,h a. e
solution. The abolitonists have allowed three
fifths representation of the slaves, and here are
Virginians protesting against Yankee oppression
and Yankee outrage, who refuse to their brethren
of the East tythe of what Northern fanatic
has granted. If for nothing more than the prece-
dent sent to our national Councils, we would pro-
test to the last extremity against it. 1t is pre-
cedent subversve of established principles. and
fraught with incalc ulable evil to the South and
her institutions.
/ We should dislike to see this good old State
divided We want her one and indivisible, now
and forever Her boundaries are Jus, as they ought
to be, the Ohio on one side, and the Chesapeake
on the other. With system of improvement
which would develope her resources she must
become the first State in the confederacy. Inter-
mediate between the Eastern and Western sec
tons of the Union she unites in her climate and
SUI all Inc advantages presented III Inc Otner
States. She has mountain and sea coast, high
lands and low lands, minerals and vegetables, so
connected and nterspersed that heaven in its
mercy and its wisdom could not we'll have given to
country SO rich profusion of benefits and bles-
sings We have every element of greatness
No State can compare with her in all these essen
tial ingredients of power. Yet, rather than give
up this representation of property, this right so
sacred and so just, we would divide the heritage
and lose the blessings its Union is so we'll cacu-
lated to impart. "F1at .justitia, ruat caltlm''