The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-27

sign of the times. il the s5ort now being made
by tho Wing party 1t tho South, and especially
ia this State, in claiming TO be ths exclusive
protectors Of tho Union. They have openly
abandoned all their old party principles and 10
sues, and now for tho sake of political triumph,
are ignobly seeking, by honied phrases and we'll
rounded periods, eulogistic Of the glcries OF the
Union, TO drive patriots to the wall, whose love
Tor the Constitution and pcrpsiuity of the
Union is, TO say the least, quite a. ardent as
their own.
The address of the Wing district convention
which recently assembled at Richmond, to nomi-
nate Mr. Bolts for Congress- without ayowing
single political tenet, abounds in nonsensical
peans and abject professions Of devotion to the
Union. In the same spirit, Robert f. Scott, of
the county OF Fauquier, who is as perfect a free
so!ler as Henry Clay, introduced in the house Of
delegates on Thursday last, series of resolu-
tlons, which are designed TO seal the degradation
and river the chains OF slavery upon this once
renowned Commonwealth. This il the same
member. who, IN consequence of his course upon
this subject at the session of '46, afterwards re-
allied from an indignant constituency, the force
OF the saying, that
" Truth is omnipotent and public Justice certain; -
and the cup he then endeavored to prepare for
Tor others, he was constrained to drink himself,
to its very lees. II is to be hoped that he is
again destined to reaph remard before the same
tribunal.
The people, nor the Legislature of this State
cannot close their eyes against events which
have passed, and are daily passing, which go to
show that the free States are not TO be trusted
on the ''compromise," AS it is enormously called ;
and that to give them confidence, is, on the part
nf Ia r>f n ~
In the Southern States, an act of insane folly.
Or what moment is it for legislatures and po-
ltical conventions in the Northern States, to de-
clare in high-sounding resolves that they will
adhere to the adjustment measures Is the Flu
gtive slave law there observed! Is it not noto-
rious to the world that this law, which may be
said to be the only equivalent given to the South
for her acquiescence in the so much Landed
measures, has already become dead letter in
Boston and elsewhere? What matters it if the
federal judges do announce that they will exc
clte the law? Do not all the State officers, ju-
iicial and ministerial, although s,oorn TO support
the Constitution Of the United States, refuse their
aid in any steps for the recaptnre of fugitive
slaves? Are they not in several States forbid
Den to do so under prescribed pains and penal
ties Are not the owners and their agents in
pursuit of fugitive slaves, subjected to a mos:
shameful system of annoyance and persecution
DO not the courts at Boston, and elsewhere
North entertain complaints Of the most baseless
character, as to Islander, perjury conspiracy, &C.,
made by Abotionists and Others against such
owners or agents and have they not been ar
rested and compelled to furnish bail in excess
slyo sums to answer such charges! Do not all
classes of society-clergymen lawyers, women,
runaway negroes, and Northumberland their
aid in these scandalous scenes! Is it not known
that three-ffths of the politicians and people in
the free States favor the modification or repeal
OF this law! But it is unnecessary to multiply
proofs. If more are needed, look to the recent
popular elections of New Hampshire sena-
torial elections in Ohio and New York, and the
disgusting spectacle which has for months been
exhibited before the Massachusetts legislature.
Vermont and Ohio, by solemn enactment, have
nullihed the law, and it stands condemned by
the almost universal feeling and sentiment of
the people at the North.
While shadows and darkness are spreading
over the South-when we see suspicious de-
monstrations at the outposts-when the fact is
potent that spirit of hostility against our in
situations is prevalent at the North what should
be thought of that representative, that sentinel,
whose duty it is not only to be watchful and
wary, but prompt in giving the alarm--what,
we repeat, should be the thought of him, who,
seemingly insensible to the approaching danger,
rises in his place, and with his thread bare coat
Of patriotism around him, cries "As we'll
peace, peace when there is no peace! The con-
cusiOn Is inevitable: we are bound to suspect
what indeed we cannot avoid suspecting,- that
the "sappers and miners" are in our midst--in
the bosom of our own society: that they have
obtained access to the temple, and insidiously
combining with the enemy without, are engaged
with parracidal hands in the destructive work.
With such malign influences prevailing in the
counsels of the State, may n benignant Provi-
dence direct her in safety in this, her hour of
trbulation.