Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-11
Letter from GOV. (srnhaI,,.

of Raleigh, on his passage through that
place. The necessity of pursuing his jour
ney to Washington, with all convenient
despatch prevented his acceptance. We
take a few passages from his letter Of de-
clensioa, inviting attention to the testimony
which he Ia Southener in birth and feeling)
bears to the high and patriotic course Of
the Executive, upon the question which has
created so much anxiety and evaporation
in our section:
81 cannot, forbear TO say, that in my o.
pinion, the settlement of our vexcd ques-
tons arising out of the acquisition OF
territory from Mexico, and the relations
between the slavcholding and non slavehol.
ding States, commonly called the compro-
mise acts of 1850, ought to be regarded
in all sections, as final adjustment; as up
on its faithful observance must mainly de
pend the peace and quiet of the country
Whilst it has not effected every thing, which
our own section might have insisted on, OF
desired, it still in my Judgment, places oul
ZION than they have enjoyed for the last
twenty years. Not TO mention the reiec-
ton of the Wilmot proviso from the Terri.
torial bills Of Utah and New Mexico, by a
decisive vote of the House of Representa-
tlves, after the long prorracted contest, year
after year, upon Abolition petitions it was
an acquisition Of no tiiing importance to
obtain such AN enactment as the Fugitive
slave law. True, it does nothing more
than enforce the covenant of the constitu-
ton. But il Isl Legislative acknowledge.
mcnt Of our rights and the provision OF a
sanction for their observance, such us fear
could not have been procured for many
years preceding.
But this is but part of the benefit
The Judiciary of the United States sustnins
this law in spirit and intent. The Justices
and Judges both Of the higher and inferior
courts, have everywhere met the RESPONSE
bitics imposed upon them by it, in a man
ner, and with an ability, learning and for
titudc, worthy Of the disciples and success
sors Of John Marshall. They have not on,
ly maintained il in the execution, but vim
dicatcd it in elaborate charges to the nries
which they have caused to be published
for general Information. We are people
Of prccedents, ard Of habltual reverence
for the opinions ofthe Judiciary, under the
high sanctions Of official oaths. These in
dicial addresses will do far more to correc
vitiatcd public opinion at the North thar
all thcarguments ofstatcsmen or politicians
on the floor Of Congress.
Nor, is this all. The executive Of thu
United States stands ready, in every cas-,
legally requiring it, to bring the Military
power to the aid of the civil officer, in til,
execution of this Law. And here, ! shal
not be restrained, by any apprehension ofbe
ing thought guilty Of adulation hy the cen
serious few, from doing an act oiJustce Il
the Chief Magistrate of a nation, in bearing
my testimony to the "clearnessin his grea
Office" with which he has trodden the patl
Of duty, in regard to this statute, withou
usurpation, ostcniation or evasion, withou
vanity, fear or rcproach. Such concur
rent action on the part Of every depart
ment of the Federal Government not onl,
gives to us the protection of a public author
ity, but cannot but have salutary effect
infringing back the people ofthe non-slavc
holding states to a sense of their obligations
under the constitution, and convincethose
who are sincere, that instead of conscience,
requiring their aid in theescape OF the slave
or passive Indifference in regard TO him
it demands that they shall give their assis
lance in all proper cases for his rccapfurt
and surrender. Need | add, that a large
part ofthe press, the pulpit and the public
stands the great exponder Of the consritu.
ton are ais . on our side in this contest
While these good influences are at work
in our behalf in the non-slaveholding
States, and the Government throws over
us the shield Of its protection, in maintain
in5 the compromise, it is with unleigncd
regret, that lpcrccivc in our section Of the
country, some who, while protesting a
Willingness to abide by it, disparage it in
such terms as to persuade all others not to
do so; others who regard it as Of no effect
and are ready TO rcagi;ate the whole sub
icct Of slavery, ad jnhnitam. while Others
denounce it,as a most intolerable grievance
making a real cdsus bclli, and justifying a
Revolution Of the Government, under the
name of secession.
cannot now discuss these various posi-
tons. Bot 1t cannot escape observation
that the advocates Of all three of them arc
most anxious TO obtain recognition Of the
doctrine that a state may at pleasure Sc
cede from the Union, and that after such
declaration Of secession, there is no longer
any power, in Ike Government Of the Uni
ted States, to enforce the Laws ofthc Uni
ted States within our limits. Their ankle
ty and zeal for this doctrine in theory,
places the two classes Of persons first ad-
verted 10 in the same category with the
practical secessionist. If the fact be un-
deniable, that one is for immediate scccs
sion, and another solicitous to have hisright
recognized to do so with impunity, il is
difficult TO perceive how he conld more
efectually aid and encourage him to thai
fatal result.
Nor can dwell on the doctrine ofseccs
sion further than to say, that ii is utterly
inconsistent with and rcpugnant to the
constitution of the United States; and that
it was fully discussed and in my opinion
reiu,ed along with notification in the win
ter, 1S32-33.
counsel no abatement of vigilance ovei
the true rights Of the South, and shall be
the last to surrender the right Of Revolu
ton, should aggressions and grievances a
rise to justify it. | trust, however, that il
such state ofthings shall ever occur, we
shall make an out and out Revolution, which
shall leave no room for doubt, and entrar
no mans conscience. In the meantime
by faithfully adhering to the terms Of ad
iustment agreed on IN the compromise acti
by the excrions and sacrifices Of patriots Of
both the great parties which have divided
the country, we shall entitile ourselves IL
have them in like manner observed and
ken, on th,, ma ri Of our Narfhern hreth re- n