Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1851-10-21
WHO ARE rHE A-GIrAToRs.


Who are Justly responsible for The present at
tempted agitation OF The slavery controversy in
Virginia 2 Who are those Who would rekin-
die the smouldering fres Of an excitement
which has just burst upon the people with al
most volcanic fury, and well nigh destroyed
the Union Z
We will answer the question. We mean to
carry the war into Africa. We mean to show
that, if there now exists, or is to be eommenc-
ed, a renewal of the slavery agitation, the fanlt
is at the door of our political opponents =
They are those who raise the hyPOeriticaieEy
of peace! peacel when themselves are the cause
why there is no peace. Not content with that
highest evidence which the Democratic party
of Virginia has given of its devotion to the
Union, q willingness TO regard measures which
in themselves, many Of them deemed uneonstt-
%tutional and oppressive. as an adjustment of a
portentious controversy, which threatened the
Union, they charge upon us a willingness and
a wish To break up the Union. With all The
fury OF rabid partizans, they ASSAULT those mem
bers of Congress from Virginia, who would not
consent, themselves, TO be the strume Of de-
priving their constituents of what they believed
10 be rights, most clearly defined aud secured to
them.by the Constitution.
We could mt imagine a course more unwise,
more nnpatriotic, more t1ctiguS or moro
" characteristic of Wing tactics. The truth IS
the people oe Virginia have herelofore been nnit-
ed on the slavery question ; the Wings are now
seeking to divide aud distract them. No greater
calamity could happen to our people than tamake
snch a question an element OF party dIscOtd and
strife. We will assail any man, whether Wing
or Democrat, who wonldsbe false tO.the South in
a matter ofsuch vital consequence but we hope
that both parties in Virginia may ever be found
unflinchingly devoted to the southern cause, TO a
maintenance of the true doctrines of southern in
dependence and southern rights.
AT the legislative session of 1867, both par
ties united in denouDcing the WilmOt PToVisO
Unconstitutional, and threatened resistance 10
such measures q at all hazards aud TO the last eN-
tremity." The resolutions were re affirmed with
some notifications at subsequent sessions both
parties, with very few exceptions, uniting in the
re~-afirmance. This was before the passage of
the Compromise measures. There was a dIlfeT-
ence of opinion we ackno Wedge, ,Gt the fine Of
the passage ofthcse measures, as TO the pTopriety
of their being voted Tor by southern men, But
of one thing we are assured, since the adoption
of the Compromise, both parties in Virginia have
occupied practically the same platform. We can
furnish proof. We can set this malterat rest, at
once and forever, and thus expose the glaring
falsehOod of the charge that the Democratic party
of Virginia is a secession or disuniou party
We speak of the abstract right, but Of the charge
that the Democratic party and Democratic POli-
ticians. favor any thing like immediate secession
or disunion on account of present grievances
But for the proof. AT the last session ofthe Le-
gislatuEe the subject of South Carolina secession.
and of a southern Congress proposed by her, was
brought before that bady. Resolutions were
passed by an almost unanimous vote Of both par.
lies, Of which the following is the second
Z" Resolved, That, regarding the said acts OF
Congress of the United States, CIhe Compromise
Eaws) as an Gdiustnaent Of Ihe eristi2g qaes-
lions, 10 s0hich they reiate, and caerishng the
hope, that If fairly executed, they will restore to
the country that harmony. and confidence, which
OF late have beens SO unhappiIy disturbed, tbelState
of Virginia deems Il unriSe, in the present con-
dition OF the country 10 send delegates TO the
proposed southern Congress"
The whole Democratic party sustained this
resoIution-yet they are now falsely charged
with Iaxorfng disuuion .-RieE. Enquirer.