Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-01-20

| vantages, could not fail TO secure to her, and
incidentally to the whole South, the benefit
Of such trade. II our capitalists and the en-
orgies Of our people were sufficiently aroused
upon this subject. Possessing as she does,
advantages surpassed BY none, and perhaps
the best harbors upon the Atlantic coast. it
is strange that her cnterprisiEg sons should
have SO long neglected their Improvements,
and have permitted this trade to grow even
less, whilst cities larger than any in cur State
have sprung up at other points possessing far
less natural advantages than ours and through
which our trade il now almost entirely car
ried or. Ii is gratifying, however, to see
that some Of our people aroused by othor ex-
citing causes. are awakening to the impor-
lance Of the subject, and beg leave TO trans
nit herewith report upon this subject made
BY committee Of the Vigilance Commercial
Convention" to that body at its recent meet
ing held in this city, and ask for it your most
favorable consideration.
i When We consider the immense trade that
viii be brought to our shores from the West
and Southwest upon the completion Of the
several grand lines Of Improvement now 10
progress, the necessity of ready ard conve-
nient outlet and the Importance Of a direct
trade with the European and other foreign
ports, cannot fail TO strike the most casual
observer And though perhaps sound policy
would dictate that it should be left to indi-
vidnai enterprise to carly the project into
practical operation, j cannot too strongly
| urge upon the Legislature the adoption and
steady observance Of such policy as viii in
eidentally or otherwise encourage such of our
citizens q may feel disposed to embark in
the enterprise, leaving 1t to your wisdom and
prudence. to devise such measures as arc best
calculated to effect this desirable object
| Such course is suggested no less by the
true interests Of Virginia than by the undue
lprepondcrance the North has acquired in this
line-the warnings Of the past and the posi-
Bile contingencies Of the future.
| Since the adjournment Of the last Legisa-
ture nothing has transpired particularly cal
culated to disturb our federal relations
The excitement growing out of an unwarrant-
able and unconstitutional interference by the
general government With the subject Of sla-
very, has partially subsidized, and it is to be
hoped that the agitation of this subject will
hereafter be ayoided--that the restless spirit
of fauatcism which kindled the fame viii be
discountenanced, and peace and quiet restor-
ed to the public mind. If in this patriotic
and reasonable expectation We shall be dis
y appointed, the most serious apprehensions
may well be entertained for the safety of the
Union, which has just passed through diff
cult and momentous crisis.
4 The series of laws passed during the last
Congress, denominated the Compromise, !"
were unequal and unjust to the South, and
constituted just cause of complaint. But re-
garding them as faH and final settlement
of that dangerous and vexed question, (and
| in that light only the Southern States very
generally manifest willingness to acquiesce !;
not because of their justice or equality, but
for the sake of that Union, to maintain which,
whilst under and controlled by the uritten
constitution, every patriot would ''pledge his
fortune, his life, and his sacred honor" but
which, without the constitution is worthless,
and deserves not the venoration Of any If
it be true that those provisions effect set
Element of this question, be it SO; it is what
we want. To let us and it alone is all We
have ever contended for, and any effort to
the subject should be frowned upon by every
patriot.
4 Whilst, therefore, a proper regard for self
respect and the respect Of the nation, as well
as patriotism and policy, dictate that Virgin
ia should infexibly maintain the position she
has heretofore taken upon this question, let
us do so calmly and with as little agitation
as possible. If the law for the rendition of
fugitive slaves, which but provides the means
foy the exercise of right secured to Us by
an express provision of the federal consttu-
tion, and the only one of the series calculated
to be acceptable or beneficial to the South.
should be made dead letter upon the statute
book either by open resistance or by evasive
legislation or other devices which shall pre-
vent its faithful execution in the nom slave
holding States, or should Congress repeal or
materially modify its provisions, the last hope
entertained by the South for that justice and
protection guaranteed to her BY the written
compact under which she entered into the
Union will be lost. Though the spirit in
which this law mas been received in the North
ern States, is well calculated to excite our
serious apprehensions, yet it is to be hoped
that those who have it in their power TO avert
so great calamity to US, to themselves, and
to the world, viii see the abyss upon which
we stand, and stay policy which, if persis-
ted in, must precipitate US into irretrieyable
run.
! / cannot close without awaiting myself of
this opportunity to call your attention to
those great political landmarks which have
and should ever characterize the foreign poll
ey OF this government Surrounding circum-
stances every where admonish us that these
are revolutionary times The potent events
passing before us indicate an approaching
crisis in the political affairs of all European
nations, and deem this cit occasion when
We should be admonished to religiously OBJ
serve the American doctrine of ''non-inter-
vcution, and the avoiding of all "entangling
alliances" first taught us by the "Father Of
his country" and followed by those patriotic
statesmen who succeeded him, until it has
been regarded as the settled policy of this
government.
again beg leave to congratulate you, gen.
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