Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-16
The Congressional Elections.

Toned raiiy
The Congressional Elections.
One week from to-day, members of
Congress arc to be elected, who for Two
years are TO have in charge the highes,
interests Of the State. The voice that
Virginia is about TO utter will be taken
as her judgment, upon questions as grave
and solemn as ever were presented to the
consideration of people. She is TO say
whether. regarding the immense peril
into which the country had been thrown
by the destructive course of progressive
Dcmocracy-she is satisfied with and in
tends faithfully TO abide the great meas
ures of safety and peace, adopted by the
last Congress. She is. by her voice at
the polls.to declare, whether she approves
or condemns the labors and sacrifices of
Clay and Cass, Of Webster and Dickin-
son, of Fillmore and Foote, and tho pa
triot band, by whose eifoltsthc difficulties,
into which the country had been plunged,
were adjusted, and much of the danger
that hung over the Union removed. A.
bove ihese-far more important than
these,-she is to pass upon the moment
Gus question, whether State of this IT,
MON has right, a. her own option, and
without accountability TO the other States,
to withdraw from the Union?
Upon subjects of such importance as
these, it would be well for the country,
ifmen could forget all party allegiance.
and as free citizens, act upon the calm,
unbiased convictions Of their own iudr-
ment. But who that knows the vassal-
age to party of our political opponents
the worse than peon-bondage which they
are under TO their leaders, can hope that
any considerable portion of them can be
brought to think for themselves or act in
dependently. Relying upon themselves,
the Wings of the State, as part of the
great national, conservative and Union
party ofthe Country, must go forward to
the support ofthe Compromise-the vim
dication of its authors and supporters
the redemption of the State, and the pre-
servation Of the Union. Their mission
is high and holy one-let their zeal be
worthy of it, and their cxeriions adequate
to its accomplishment.
They have an adversary to encounter.
who never sleeps or tires-who is the
same In all fortunes, and ready at every
summons-who, day and nights plotting
and toiling with an ardor that knows no
abatement, and an energy that never re-
lakes. Brother Wings, are you ready for
the conflict A few DAYS, and the re-.
cord OF your triumph or defeat will have
been written. We ccnnot but feel the
deepest solicitude for the result. 1t is
foolish and criminal 10 maine that the
country, in this crisis, does not need the
aid ofeverytrue son. As long as principles
are contended for, which, if admitted.
would rob the Government # all its vir-
or and make of the Union rore of sand;
AS long as there is party in the land,
who sustain the monstrous mal-practices
of the late Locofuco Administrations. if
Is the demand of patriotism that those,
whose views and principles are different,
should do all in their power TO defeat
them. In Governments that exist and
are controlled by the vii; of the people,
every occasion for the expression of that
wili-each recurring period for the de-
signation of those who are to become
charged with important trusts, is an era
fraushi with high responsibilities. Time
after time, as we proclaim at the polls
our choice ofmen and our preference of
policies, are we creating agencies that
must impress themselves upon the form
OF our Government, and be felt in SHAPING
its desiinics. A single vote, occasionally
decisive ofan important election, when
regarded as q frccman's opinion of what
measures should be pursued or Stunned
in conducting the public affairs. cannot be
withheld, without neglect of duty, as
good citizen. Still more rcprehensible
is the conduct Of those, who allow their
principles and opinions TO yield to the
promptings of private regard and personal
preference.
But, in the great political distinctions
which divide the people of this country,
and looking to the policy of the Demo
cratic party as having furnished the fuel,
by which the balcful fires of sectional d.
vision have been kept alive-is there not
something due to that party. whose con-
sentative principles would have kept on,
the elements ofso much discori and dan
ger, and were mainly instrumental in
quenching the fame they had kindled!-l
1t is true the Compromise is not nov a
practical question it is true that the
storm which was rocking our political
sea is almost siilled-buti is it not becom-
ing and proper-ihai the State Of Virginia
the mother ofthe Union-should test;-
fy her approval of those who contributed
so largely TO IFS preservation, and should
fix the seal Interpretation upon those, who
threw themselves in opposition to the
measures by which it was effected, and
are yet heard mui,ering discomfort 7
We invoke the people to remember
that It was the policy of Democratic