Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-29

l
mere machinery Tor subscribing local. sectional or sor
dld purposes A strong feeling of nationality exists
fortunately amongst us; and it needs only wise AM
temperate administration of our Federal affairs IN or
der to exa to the highest degree the lust pride whc
every true American feels in the progress of his coun
trys greatness.
The Federal and State Governments are parts of OIL
system alike necessary; and so long as the former sha
keep within ITS appropriate orbit the danger al contic
will be small But any DETECTION from its right course
to the prejudice Of the States, will as usurpation O
authority, and in derogation OF the Constitution b
sure to be met by determined resistance srikin,
evidence OF this was given in the general exctemen
amongst the people and in the threatening attitude
the Southern States whilst it was supposed that Con
gress, torgetul ofts duty afford protection to ALL wa
meoita.lng aggression upon the peculiar property
those States
NJ BY an irritating agitation, the Free Sellers Of the
Noftnern States and their contederates the Abolition
lists, aided by their miserable tools inCongress hay,
greatly weakened those ties of brotherhood which ono,
united . US SO firmly; and it is not to be disguised tina
events have, OF late, rapidly tended to bring upon US
That unhappy geographical division of parties agans
which, as fraHght with danger to the Union, the coun
| Try long since received impressive warning We
lament mat snv excuse tor such division should be
ionnd IN the past action Of Federal legsaion and we
ndulge the hope, that in its measures common
~ known as the Compromise, may realize the cove
nant whcn IS to terminate the strife that has largely
contributed to exasperate and 10 render alien to each
other those who ought to be bound together by rate-
nal affection" 'N'
Whilst candor compels US to admit that those meas
respects could
yet donot hesitate to declare that We perceive in them
nothng tyrannca nor degrading, oppressive to any
portion OF the confederacy; nothing but what every
patfiot may consistently sanction; and compromise
Vi cohictlng opinions, settlement OF an angry Sec
uona controversy threatening in its fury the Union it.
self, we think they commend themselves to universal
| support.
| Amongst these measures that which was DESIGNED
TO facilitate the recovery of Fugitive Slaves has alone
excited any considerable opposition. 1t is the only one
,a1 requires achVe exertlon to enforce it. The others
nave received the appreciation OF the States whom they
Immediately concern, and are of nature to execute
themselves. We view all Instructions to the execu-
ton OF this law whether the part of States or of in
ovlduals, as destructive OF the fundamental principles
o. our Union, and as OF fatal tendency. We consider
the Constitution obligatory on State legislation and
we consider 1t the duty OF every individual obey the
established government. We therefore hold it to be
me duty OF the Federal authorities enforce by all the
| of this law
In making this declaration, we must not be UNDER
stood to intimate any disrus of those to whom the ma
ion mas conhded the administration of its affairs: Oh
the contrary we take pleasure in bearing testimony to
the entire fathfuness with which their high duties have
thus far, been performed. Upon their continuing in any
emergency, to act with the goad sense frmness
ana patriotism, we place the most undoubted reliance
AS Wings, we congratulate our party and the coun-
try on the entire fulmen of the Wing assurances du-
ring the last Presidential canvass that Mr. Fillmore
w9o prove sound on the questions that affect Southern
safety vi course, we may equally congratulate them
on the alshcaton OF the injurious predictions and &C
cusations, boldly and Unfortunately made against
nm, by ms adversafies His patriotic performance OF
MS hlgn DUTIES his wise, right and firm conduct under
every difficulty, have vndicated our faith n HIM and
endeared him to all good citizens. In his hands the
Fugitive Slave law will be faithfully executed and all
comonatlons and associations, from whatever causes
proceeding to defeat it, will be disappointed of their
purpose. We rejoice to believe that in this auspcous
result the efficacy of Federal Government to ac
complsh the purposes OF justice, enforce obedience to
ito authority. and in all things fulfil the expectation Of
It's founders, will be demonstrated 10 manner that can
not fail more strongly to cement the bonds ohe Union
and convince its enemies OF the utter tutily of all at
| tempts to accomplish its dissolution.
Already has the controversy concerning SLAVERY
which upon the disposal OF our acquisitions from Mexi-
GO assumed such portentous magnitude ceased to
an exclusively sectional aspect: On part, acques-
cence IN temperate councils and submission to moderate
demands have excited to action the consderate and
patriotic Of our fellow citizens of the free States and
accordingly we find the existing contention removed
from our midst to other theatres more appropriate to
| the mad fury that has produced and feeds it.
HAT once the entire body of the Northern and North
western States-the great everything Of their edu-
Gated not resumed its duty, its senses
and the feelings which, in nobler days, made us ali
one, North and South, in spite Of slavery as nvounta-
ry to US now then there is grave excuse for that
fact, which all should recognize. 1t is this ::
that Wild political theories, captivating long as up-
tried, are abroad over the entire civilized world Red
| Republicansm and Communism in France; the like
| in Germany and Italy; Chartsm in England The
sudden opinions peculiar to the day, all possess the sin
proportion as they are new. Like char in everything
they are kest n this; that they mus blaze in order
to burn at all Ideal doctrines of Liberty, personal and
political, as limess as imprescriptble prevail every
where. From Europe, and especially England. thew
had some time ago spread to the Northern States Of
this Union but merely as speculation an idea until
Demagogues-iar more criminal in this matter than
tanallcs-saw an opp orunity OF working to their per-
sona or party profit the unopened mine OF these no.
tons " They tattered, they heated them and drew
| them and drew them INFO politics. Parties were so
l That thn ikort.
ADoltlonss, were enough to turn the scale either way
VI course, competition of both parties for them be-
| gan With their political importance swelled their
numbers and their zeal. That zeal of course excted
in opposite quarter an opposite doctrine and zeal
equally strong, and popular feeling of the South
which In lis turn became passion and a mopomania
capable ofbelng made to tell in elections, and Dema-
goguesm began to cherish and to infame it, lust as
twas dong, under an opposite name, in the North
ln word, great part OF the guilt of these urasms
OF these dssensions hes with politicians and parties
They were OF the ills that ever att ndant upon
Tree institutions and governments of opinion The
wise will bear them with patience and treat them with
moderation as things which, being very hot must be al
owea some Tune TO cool again. even when the bellows
OF poiltlcal ncendlares have been made cease blow
ing the Goals under them. Contidng nevertheless in
the fraterna feelings and sober patriotism OF the masses
OF our sister States we have little mstrust of the event.
ual termination OF the conflict; and with hearty and
entire devotion to Institutions witnessing the grad
ual dissipation OF all sectional Influences we cordially
hail, as brothers OF one blood the coming restoration
OF those fendy relations so essential to the safety OF
our system and the development OF its great Capacities
We would at this point, gladly dismiss the subject of
our Federal relations aud conclude this address wtha
orei remark or two upon topics more Intimately con-
nected with our State concerns But the gravity OF The
consequences likely to flow from the dissatisfied cond
ton OF one OF the States tobds to pass that matter
unnotlsed Having, in regard our relations with the
Northern States, exhibited sketch OF the Federal al
fairs tattsring we would fam believe, TO our national
hopes, we would rejoice to leave oul fellow citizens to
us contemplation; but since, unfortunately, the picture
has another side, truth requires that it should be turned
round and its darker aspect exposed to view
The apparent determination of Congress TO USE the
Federal power for the exclusion fhe peculiar proper
~ OF the Southern States from The territories acquired
from Mexico very naturally excited this sensbjlity Of
the people OF those States and carried some of them so
tar as to assume attitude of threatened hostility TO
such action. The passage, however OF the Con,pro-
mise measures assuaged for the most part the sensib
y and induced amongst the peoples disposition to &C.