The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1851-01-02
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERN
OR.
ExEcuTlVE DEPARTMENT,
RlcRMoND, Dec. 16, 1850.

a Preamble and Resolutions passed by the
Convention of Indiana, assembled to re-
wise the Constitution Oflhat State, and the
Report and Resolutions u a like Conven-
ton Of the State Of Maryland. The spir-
il in which they are conceived must be re-
garded as. a favorable omen, and they eS-
cite the hope that the feelings Of bitterness
and dissension which peIVade the confede-
racy, may yet pass harmlesslY awaY.-
There are, indeed, p%oEteutous manifesto
tions of deep discomfort at the South and
these have been heightened and in6amed
by the course recently pursued in Ver-
mont. The Legislature of that State has
virtually by statute, a%nnulled the law Of
Congress for the recapture Of fugitive
slaves, which alone induced the Southern
Stqtes to acguiesce in the late Compromise
measures. Vermont has thus inflicted up-
on the whole South at once an injury and
an insult. To neither, can we with honor
OF sell-respect submit.
There must be a distinct, immediate
and final settlement Of the question OF sla-
very between the slave.holding and the
non slayehOlding States. II the present
agitation is continued, the Union viii inev
itably be destroyed. If this element Of dis
cord be removed, no cause Of feud remains
to jeopardize the permanence Of onr con
federation. No honorable means should
be left untried to restore and perpetuate
tranquility. For this we should exhaust
every measure Of Cancellation and forbear-
ance. We can scarcely pay too much for
the restoration Of that fraternal harmony,
which is the life-blood Of our federate or
ganization, and which alone can for any
length Of time preserve the Union. In dis
charge Of the duty which the South owes
to herself and her citizens, she must main
tain, at all hazards and. at any cost, her hon
or, her equality, her independence, and heE
essential rights. In,proof Of her devotion
to the Union, she must be prepared to sac
rifce all else TO her sense Of patEiotism
The late action OF Vermont demands an
instant settlement Of the issue which has
so long distracted the country. The re-
cent action Of Indiana seems to indicate
that the time is propilious for its amicable
decision. For the restoration Of complete
and effectual harmony, | would suggest a
measure, IN which the patriots Of all Sec
tions, and all who reverence and are will
ling 10 abice BY the Constitution, may CO.
operate.
would recommend the adoption by the
Legislature, Of resolutions inviting all the
States of the Union to unite in sending
delegates TO represent the whole people 10
a,Geueral Convention, which ought 10 as
semble at any early period-not later than
May-at Baltimore, or some other couve-
nient central point, for the purpose oil bring
ing to an end all sectional Controversies
relative to slavery. 70 secure that end,
the principles which should govern the ac.
ton OF the Convention ought 10 be an
nounced IN the resolutions by which it is
called. All should be invited to unite in
this movement who are in favor OF the per-
petuaiion of the Union, and who, to attain
this result, are in favor Of the Fugitive
Slave Bill, honestly and cordially enforced
who are opposed to its repeal or essen
tial modification, and who are adverse to
any farther agitation Of the slavery ques-
ton, either in Congress or in the States
Hfth this the South will be content-less
than this can only eventuate in the disso,
luton of the Union. The action Of such
a convention, if successful and fully sus-
tanned by the non-slaveholding States,
would satisfy and quiet the South--if un-
successful, ii would prove that the friends
Of order and the Union are impotent to
control the fanatical passions which are
now urging on a speedy dissolution. II is
a measure which addresses tseltto no par
ticular party, and refers TO no political Or
ganizatioD, but asks the cordial support Of
every Tue patriot in all sections Of our
widely-extended Republic, and which a.
lone seems adequate to redress or aver the
terrible evils under which the country now
IabOrs, or Of which il is ap%prehensive.
To renderthis measure effectual, and TO
relieve the deliberations of the Convention
from the tramnels by which it might 9TH
erwise be embarrassed, / would farther re.
commend that such resolutions Be accom-.
panied with the sincere aud earnest appeal
Of the State Of Virginia, speaking through
her Legislature to her sister States Of The
south, enirealing them to postpone any
extreme action in relation to present diff.
%cultles, until the result OF the delihe,a,iors