Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-07
Compromise Resolutions of the
General Assembly.

ca uHerence IN poslnon oil the two parties
in the Legislature. on the subject of the
Compromise. We affirmed that that of
the Wings was one Of decided acquiescence
in the late Peace measures Of Congress,
and of undoubtfnl attachment to the Union,
while that of their opponents was compar-
atively equivocal, and we asserted, further,
that the merit of placing Virginia in her
right attitude before the country, belong
ed rather to the former than the latter.
Inproof ofthe business ofour conclusion,
we adverted to the significant fact, that
the dominant party in the House of Dele
gates refused to sanction the sentiment of
a resolution which contained the very Ian
guage of the Father Of his Country, and
which strongly inculcated reverence for the
Union Of the States.
We point to this as a most significant
circumstance. What objection could be
urged against that one off the resolutions Of
Mr.. Scott, which contained the quotation
from Gen. Washington's Farewell Ad-
dressl What is there in that quotation
that an American patriot cannot endorse
to the utmost? What word or line III it
that the most fastidious can except to, un-
less it be some misguided spirit who de-
sires disunion as thing of choice?
Let US analyse the language of Wash
ington, and see if there be in it any thing
which Wing and Democrat alike may not
heartily approve!
The first proposition in the quotation is
that the "Umty of Government which CON
stitutes one people, is the main pillar of
our real independence"
Who shall gainsay this proposition p
Can we be really independent without this
''umty of Government p Can we be
strong and powerful without it? VIII
division enhance our strength Is there
strength IN division Is the conflicting
power of divided communities equal to the
aggregate energy Of numerous united
compact communities Is the maxim to
be reversed, that "united we stand, divided
we ialP'l Are we as safe from foreign ag-
gression when we are divided and disuni-
ted
The idea is prepostcrous. In the Ian
guage Of Washington, we assert that the
UNITY of government which constitutes us
one people, as the main pillar of our real
independence" Ii is our surcst protection
from violence without or within And but
for the evil times we are fallen on, there
would be no diversity of opinion ON a point
so clear and self-evident.
The second proposition in the quotation
u.s. that the "unity of government which
makes US one people, is the support of
our tranquility at home, and our peace a.
| broad.'
This ought TO be to all right-minded
men, truism. If our Confcdcracy is split
up into fragments, where shall we look
for tranquility at home or peace abroad!"
When communities once united by strong
and common ties, once break those ties,
can we look to those severed ties to fur
nish tranquility at home % Does the
breaking up of once cordial relations, en-
gender reciprocal good will, and promote
peace and tranquility 2
And will the scattered fragments Of a
sundered Confedcracy yield US peace a.
broad 2" VIII not the severing of the
Confederacy, and our consequent weak
ness, strongly invite foreign aggression!
Surely, surely, if there is truth in moral
proposition, that spre-eminently true which
asserts that the union Of the American
States is the Support Of our tranquility at
home and our peace abroad" Nothing
save the prompting Of fierce and blind
party spirit, can contest Il position sopalpa-
bic and meritorious.
Nor is the "umity Of government" less ne
cessary to "that very liberty which we so
highly prize
With a Confederacy divided first into
two, and afterwards into numerous divis-
ions, we cannot enjoy sober, rational liber-
ty. Continual intestine wars Will be our
portion, until military despotism closes
the scene. This results the teaching Of all
history, its future instructions willno falsi-
ly the lessons ofthe past.
Now, we crave to know on what prin-
ciple of action or of doctrine twas that the
Democratic party Of the Legislature were
unwilling to subscribe to the sentiment of
Washington's farewell address, quoted by
Mr.. Scott.
We are bound to conclude either that
there is lurking feeling Of disunionism in
the Democracy of the House Of Delegates,
which they dare not openly avow or that
they looked, with distrust, upon anything
and everything proceeding from Wing
source.
In charity, we presume the latter. But
the people will decide to which party be-
longs the merit Of pursuing that policy
which is to give us "real independence,
tranquility at home, peace abroad, prosperi-
ty and liberty" And when their verdict
shall be pronounced, we are entirely san
guine that it will be in favor Of the Wing
party as the most union loving and conser-
vative.
They will say that the Wings stand on
the platform which Washington built, and
that the platform of Washington is the
best on which any human party can stand
r. Wig.
The Secretary Of State left the city yes
terday afternoon on his way to MarshGeld,
where he viii remain a few weeks to give
attention to his home affairs, and recruit his