The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-15


government, that we can draw no conclusion Of q
favorable character. IL is said the expenses ~
this case were paid by citizens Of New York; YET
we have no assurance that such will be the result
hereafter. Ihese facts. demand line OF policy
on the part of legislature, that shall establish
"a discrimination agninst all Of these aggressive
proceedings and in doing so, The productions Of
those States that find large and constant sale
! amongst are the most certain and most appro-
| pirate object To which the attention OF The State
can be directed. A tax imposed upon goods COM
ing from Northern ports into our State Is const-
tutiona; and in considering the propriety ofadop-
ing that form Of retaliation, we think we are JUST
fed by every consideration Of sound policy and
enlightened legislation. That we may safely EN-
ploy Virginia labor in the manufacture Of many
of the articles consumed amongst us, We know by
numerous and successful undertakings IN various
departments now in exstence--that these en'er-
prises would be more successful, if protected
against Northern labor by u tax levied upon their
productions, is too plain to need discussIon--that
State pride and love of our institutions and our
own people, will cheerfuy respond to these SEN
timents, We will not question-we have therefore
formed the association here, the Constitution OF
which accompanies this address.
In making these simple statements, we are ac-
tuated by no party feelings: we bury all differ
ences, and rally to the high and important duty of
protecting ourselves against most frightful and APP
palling inroads and urging you to similar course
of action, we appeal confidently to that duty, par
| amount to every other consideration that can ad-
dress itself to the human reason; and IN doing so,
appeal to the legislature of the State for enact
ments, that are prudent and constitutional, by
which Virginia labor and Virginia imporations
shall be guarded and defended against the labor OF
Northern men, whose whole department has for
feited all claim to our confidence. That such
course is wise and necessary, we appeal to the
history of the last 80 years--we point to every
interest in which our people are interested--and
in doing so, we are grieved to find that IN almost
every instance our own people are defeated In their
Just anticipations Of profit by Northern produc-
tons. To resist these aggressions upon our vital
interests, by checking and ultimately destroying
our intercourse with States and people SO des-
titute of proper regard for rights and inter-
ests, is justifable and proper; but when we alege
| our own determination to forward these noble
purposes, cannot think our appeal will be
made to Virgipians without effect. We, there e.
FORE lay these facts and considerations before you,
as those who have an equal interest with our
selves, and ask your hearty and united action in
| this proceeding. We are here at the Metropolis
of the State, surrounded on all sides by evidences
Of the state of affairs which we too feebly por-
tray We announce the necessity of this species
of action, and we cordially and sincerely crave
your cooperation; and, in doing so, we must be-
Iieve that our beloved Commonwealth will reap
advantages, and attain degree of wealth and
power to which she has heretofore been an entire
stranger.
That we have all the materials requisite for the
perfect and complete manufacture of everything
now furnished to us by these unlaithful States, is
too plain to admit of doubt. Our mineral wealth
is exhaustibe, our climate as good as any known
TO man, our water-power, and the materials Tor
the construction of buildings of all kinds are not
surpassed anywhere, whilst our forests furnish
the best timber for all the purposes to which the
ingenuity Of man has yet applied the natural
growth Of the soil on which he walks. That our
whole State would readily adapt her capacities to
the production of all the necessaries oflife, is as
clear as any fact dependant upon the future for
fulfllment. That our harbors would be filed with
our own vessels, and that our foreign trade would
be done by our own merchants, and that our own
laborers would find constant and profitable en-
ployment, is equally clear; but, above these con-
sideratons, addressed TO the inhabitants of our
seaport towns, the value of lands in every por-
ton of the State would be instantly enhanced, by
furnishing ready and permanent marke, for the
! surplus products of the soil.
We are now tributary in every shape to the
North. They are powerful and arrogant-we are
weak and poor Our rights are not respected.
Every mail which reaches us, brings fresh &C
counts of oufrages upon Southern rights and
Southern citizens. A just indignation--a sense
Of wrong necessity for retaliatIon--a proec-
ton TO ourselves-a resentment to these ouirages,
all come spontaneously to the mind of the de-
scendants of the Revolutionary sages and warriors,
whose names we bear, and whose priceless repu-
taon we are commanded to defend. We are
ready, fellow citizens, to act in these trying and
perilous necessities. We nre ready to counsel
and advise with you,--nnd, whilst we invite eve
ry city, county, town ard corporation, to form
auxiliary societies, we do not mean 10 a, sumo any
preference for our own opinions, nor for the de-
signs we have embodied in our constitution; but
we desire to act in concert with you, to correspond
with every society which may be formed, TO offer
to each Of you, when here, all Of the privileges of
membership; but at the same time we are ready
and willing, and feel it our duty TO declare the
dangers TO you and to US, and to summon you to
such action as may appear necessary to release
Virginia from the bondage to Northern prejudces
and Northern influences; and in doing so, we
shall wait with impotence to hear that our ardent
expectations will not be disappointed.
Every reflection upon the past--every conside-
ration for the future, declares without hesitation,
a necessity for action that has never existed at
any former period in our experience as State or
people. However such course may result, to
redress our grievances, to vIndicae our honor, 10
protect our own labor, are all purposes that rise
far above any discussion that may have for it's
aim the defeat of these commendab'e objects. To
action, then, to action Let do our duty to our
seves-to the sres from whom we come,-but
above all let not suffer our children to rise up
! hereafter and pronounce against us a condemns
| ton for failing to save ourselves and them from
degradations and insults too grievous to allow us
| 10 mentlOn
Constitution of The Central Southern Rights .qssoca
fion Of Virginia
Ist We, whose names shall be hereunto sub
scribed, agree, and hereby form Southern Rights
| Association Of the city OF Richmond.
! 81. The officers OF this association shall be a
President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Re
cording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary
and these officers shall constitute an executive
committee.
3D.. Meetings of this society shall be held al
spch times and places the executive committed
nav, from time to time, prescribe.
q 4th. EachI one, on becoming member Of this
association, shall, on subscribing his nnme to this
constitution, pay the sum OF one dollar to th'
| Treasurer.
5lh. We, the undersigned members of this as
ISOLATION, do pledge our honor to each other anc
tn our country, that we will use all lawful ant
! constitutional means to arrest the further aggres
sons of the non slav eholding States, on the vita
interests and constitutional rights of the South
and that in aid Of this, our solemn determination
we pledge ourselves TO appeal to the Legislature o
the State, to enact such laws are prudent ant
constitutional for efecting ultimately, commercia
non.intercourse with such States rs have lawi
enacted, or whose people adopt any means to hin