Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1851-03-18

N O sse at s .i,}vecertain and better pro-
tcclion sneaL- JShere know nearly all are law.
vers and better LAWYERS than myset Du. @
to ALL confidently, lift is not true una. is t
stitutonaI provisions are the best ana siest
antics Are notthese at last the only sales W
protect us all Thod my life, merry. anu
~ as all de- upier our present constitution,
feet as it is-and am told has not been Violated
by the east-and yeilwhen appeal TO ms example
vouched by themselves and TO the nllty eleL y IL
States OF this Union ana clts cnSstitrt;ons
paper guarantees what is the answer why, us
west is not to be trusted! Away win your P&PSt
guarantees! We will have none ot 1i.eni W.,
are IuSting for power to pluudeT our pocKeS! Wnat
if you put YOUR hand and seal 10 me CoIP nv nv
and make every pledge our fathers alo IN lne hSto
luton 10 stand together and meet tne "oIs' ~
know your lands can bear no higher taxes ana you
want internal jmuIayement, and you VIII oEed6
through constitutf.r oaths, and everything sacred
to tax negroes other properly 10 tnahS tIlese
improvements; andyet, we i've anu move auu my
our being under paper constitution With scaTcely
any guards and all has been as safe as VIC desire
according tc the views of the gentlemen from tnc
east al least as TO the west WIN me power III tc
hands of this sectional minority IN the east. ne
minority i'll the eastcan be trusted but the majority
in the estcannot The west may De trustee as lnlI
viduals-nay he gentleman rom r
And to whom is this language used o the md
jOrty of the people blythe minority. 10 8ehutultsH
Think by such treatment as this, to retain me conn
dencc Of the west? Do they expect 10 concliiate US
and TO draw tighter the bonds OF sympathy ano
brotherhood to hing Us into greater harmony here,
and to cement Slasttss union between east ana
west Virginia2 Is this The way to preserve the
peace and promote the dignity and glory oil thls
time -honoTed commonwealth!
Humble as am, venture to appeal 10 this as
semhIy and seriously esk, what is to be the end OF
this ? Is ii to have stopping place or notE AS
the increase Of population and wealth progresses IN
the west, while white population is comparatively
stationary in the east is there time TO come when
there must be a change-and still we are met when
this view is pressed and truly So that the west has
other resort obtain redress but those great in
herent rights that belong to outside OF the conStI-
tuition, that is To revolution and force which in
wolves treason. Are to be driven to that resort!
That is the solemn question at last that is behind
and must come home 10 all. II can be no longer a.
voided. The west is now in the maJorIy-a large
majority, and have reached point from which we
Garnet reccte. We must look thsquestion in the
face, it will look in the face; and il does even
now look US in the face. have made no threats
and mean TO make none; but if am to say when
is the time settle this question: whether the minor
ity majority shall rule il that be the legitimate
result of giving to the west equal rights must an
swer now. Yes, the best time is Row, or no man
can answer for the consequences.
While mean TO stand as long as any man in de-
fence of State rghts-While regard representative
governments under written constitutions as the
greatest achievement and boast OF modern times,
blessing the ancient republics had not and hence
their anarchy and fall. YrtifI am to be persuaded
that written constitutions, with ample guarantees
protection to property in Virginia, on this
side Of the mountain, should a majority rule under
that constitution but so, should the minority
govern and that that minority will never yield OF
the majority their equal rights, because it will give
them the righlful control What must think =
Where must think things are tending WHAT'S
sue coming atlast? What crisis approaching =
What din too soon Jingle in my ears Does not
the mind OF every VrSinian start back to think tat
this is the fearful issue coming to head between
cast and west Virginia? mean the old State
riShts-Yirgnia; the pioneer ofthc Union-the flag
ship who stood in $3.50, and saved The cOnstiu-
ton of the Union at its last gasp in defence guar
antics, whose protection she demanded and has ever
But, have wearicd myself and the patience of
this committee doubt, AMI feel that it is Time 10
be drawing my remarks 10 a c!"Se. But have Il
few words say upon the subject Of siavery in Vir
gnia and Lam happy to declare that believe the
sentiment generally in western Virginia, and l
know il is that of the valley we'll as of eastern
Virginia, is This; that the government of the State
has no power 10 destroy disturb The right Of prop
erty in slaves. Yet an attempt was made as ali
know, in lS3l-32 to impair these rights or totally
destroy them By legislative action In another place
in committee have songhtt to have an express and
positive declaration upon that subject. / mean
clause in our constitution expressly denying and
prohibiting the p1wer of this government to abolish
slavery 10 call the right in question. This deem
prudent TO guard even against agitation OF the cues
ton.
But hold with or without constitutional guaran-
ties, slavery cannot be abolished by The legislature
And that that property any than other proper
~ OF the citizen cannot he touched or taken away
without full compensation TO the owner. Not only
but the federal constitution expressly tOrbidS the TAX
ing OF private property, even for public without
just compensation. In reference to what has been
thrown out here relative 10 the action OF the Con-
grcSS OF the United States maintain that if there
had been express and positive provision against ac-
ton the part OF the federal government on this
subject at ALL and in regard to the territory of the
Union. instead ofimplied prohibitions only that VIC
would have been spared much agitation and threat
ened danger to the Union; and would be now inf
nitcy more safe against action or agitation upon
a in thn Top D1oOD lin
tion and desire TO guard State constitution in
this particular Under the panic of 1872 the
first petition praying action came from The east and
leading eastern men, and not few in all, yielded
TO the alarm and were ready 10 do violence the Sa-
cred rights of property. which rights are held bY
title above and beyond the constitution as it now
stands. The lessons Of 1879 should satisfy cas-
tern as well as western men, that positive prohibit
lions safer guarantees than those upon which
they now rest They shall see that this union of
power and interest is not even to be trusted upon
this subect-they come in conflict when passion
fear or folly rtsfes the hour which rules men Aud
do insist that this proves there is solid ground
for the east tn stand on but constitutional guarantees
and hence that these guarantees better than the
mixed basis, which conclusion sweeps the founda-
lion OF their claims for power from beneath their
feet.
have a consolation in closing 10 know. although
have left much unsaid which deserves 10 he urged
that there are others here, representing a common
constituency, 10 whose talents defer, yet TO speak
upon these guarantees, and who are able To viDd-
cate their policy and suciency, and intend to do it.
feel assured too, that however much have fall
len short in any part my duty that that generous
confidence reposed in me by my constituents, unso-
lcited, will not failto overlook or forgive. They
know my zeal in this cause. Tothem shall return
and as far capable will tell them ali that has been
done and trust shall be able tell them that all
has been done which they desired, and especially,
and above all, that this government has been at
last based upon equal rights tho only sure ounda-
Ton upon which it can ever rest in peace and safe
y.
If not thus based, fear for one. it will not be
moored as the gentleman from Fauquier supposes,
for all time very long indeed when those storms
OF passion: which sometimes, with tempest force
sweep and uPturn thrones and empires, and am
based unequal governments, and will be STAYED new
er by any power of selfcontrol until they drench a
land in blood tits the task of all wise and prudent
statesmen TO lay the foundation of government firm