Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-05-07
THE WING ADDRESS.

Immediately before the adjournment OF
the Legislature, the Wing members OF the
two Houses, and of the Convention, held
meeting and adopted an Address to the peo-
ple of Virginia, which has been published
in the papers The topics chiefly discussed
by it, are the present aspect Of our Federal
Relations and the threatening attitude of
South Carolina. It, however, declares in
cidentally in favour Of Tariff so arranged
as to encourage domestic manufactures, and
also in favour of such improvements of har-
bors and rivers "as may be necessary to
consolidate our strength within and to Sc
cure safety without"
The Federal and State Governments, says
the Address, are parts of our system alike
necessary: and so long as the former shall
keep within its appropriate orbit, the dam
ger of conflict will be small. But the course
pursued by Free Sellers and their confede-
rates have greatly weakened the ties which
once firmly united us, and have tended to
bring about that geographical division Of par
ties against which the country long since
received an impressive warning. The hope
is entertained that the recent measures OF
Congress, known as the Compromises
which the Address says there is nothing but
what every patriot may consistently sane
tion,-may prove to be the covenant which
is to terminate the strife between "those
who ought to be joined together by frater.
nal affection"
The following tribute to President FILL
MORE expresses the sentiment of every
Wing in the State
| AS Wings, we congratulate our party and The
country on the entire iulfn,en, TO The Wing assn
RANGES, during the last Presidential canvass, thai
Mr.. Fillmore would prove sound on the questions
that affect Southern safety, Of course, We may e
qually congratulate them on the Justification of the
injurious predictions and accusations, 50 boldly ant
ndiscrmnately made against him, by his adverse
ries. His patriotic performance of his high duties
his wise, right and firm conduct under every diff
Guilty. have vin,lica!ed our faith in him and endear
ed him TO all good citizens. In his hands, the Flu
g,ive Slave law will be faithfully executed, ant
all combinations and associations, from whatever
causes proceeding to defeat it, will be disappointed
Of their purpose. We rejoice TO believe that in th,
auspcious result the efficacy of our Federal Gov
eminent to accomplish The purposes of justice en-
force obedience to tsauthorty land in all things full
fl the expectation of its founders will be demonstra
ted in manner that cannot fail more strongly t
cement the bonds ofthe Union and convince its en-
emies Of the utter futity of all attempts to accom-
plish its dissolution.
In reference to the position ofSouth Car
DINA, the Address speaks as follows:
eve mean to express no opinion on the contro
ver,ed question of the right ola State 10 seced'
from the contederacy, nor of the constitutional du
ties of the Federal authorities in such an emergen
cy. We should certainly never desire TO see TIT
soil our sister States pressed by the hostile treat
Of Federal troops, nor her sons slaughtered in I'M
natural war. But we can give no assurance tina
the other States will find it compatible with the
safety to surrender the important port Of that State
OF 10 behold some European power establish foot
hold there, and the very fortress erected oy revolu
,ionary hands, pass-perhaps under coerced treaties
into the possession of the naughty foe agains
whose aggressions it was designed 10 be defence
''To Louisiana it would hardly be conceded tina
she should seeede with the mouth of the Mississip
pi, or to Florida, that she should secede with tht
command of the Gulf, since either would, by the
act, convert into foreign, perhaps hostile, States
territory paid fur out of the common treasury ant
obtained for the high purpose Ofthe national safety
| 'And yet, if the act Of successful secession bt
once committed, it will be impossible ever after Il
deny to any dissatisfied member Of the Confedera
cy the right to follow she example. The inevita
BILE consequence must be, that the Federal authority
will cease to be respected at home, and that abroad
dispositions will soon be manifested SO take advan
lage of its imbecility. and to speculate on its ap-
preaching DOWNFALL"
s'Entertainng these opinions, and strongly i'm
pressed with the importance of the impending cr
sis, we consideredit incumbent upon the Legislature
of our State TO avail itself of the occasion furnished
by the communication of South Carolina, for disa
vowing the idea of southern congress, for expires
sing the acquiescence Of people in the measures
of adjustment, for declaring their attachment tt
the Union, and respectfully, but earnestly, remon
siratng against the contemplated disturbance"
The Address then goes on to give his
tory of the Union resolutions passed by the
Legislature. The course of the Democratic
majority in modifying the original resolu-
tons, is attributed, not to any feeling of dis
loyalty to the Union, but to the necessity
of conciliating those of their party whose
feelings and opinions flow in different
channel. The unanimity, however, with
which the resolutions finally passed both
Houses is cause for congratulation; and
it is only to be regretted that any incident
should have marred the satisfaction derived
from it.
MAY MoRNING.-People were surprised,
upon rising from their beds on Monday NOR
ming last, to find that old Winter had re-
turned in earnest. Snow was falling fast,
but having been preceded by rain did not
remain upon the ground. The Blue Ridge
and North Mountain, however, were cover
ed to the depth of one or two inches.
&s. We have received the third No of the
Georgetown Reporter. 1t seems to be espe-
cially devoted to business matters and is
pretty much like other papers, with one ex-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to it are payable sic
months in aduance. Very few of our subscri-
bers make such liberal advances.