Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1852-01-21
VIRGINIA.

al VIRGINIA.. .rr.. -..... .
The General Assembly of Virginia met in Rich
mond on Monday last. Oscar M. Crutchfeld, Esq.
was elected Speaker of the House of Delegates.
The message of Gov. johnson is lengthy and able
document. We copy the concluding portion of it,
as follows: ..... -..
Since the adjournment Of the last legislature
nothing has transpred particularly calculated to dis
turb our federal relations The excitement growing
out of an unwarrantable and unconstitutional inter-
ference by the general government with the subject
OF slavery, has partially subsided and it is to be
hoped that the agitation this subject will hereafter
be avoided-that the reckless spirit of fanaticsm
which kinded the fame will be discountenanced. and
peace and quiet restored to the public mind If in
this patriotic and reasonable expectation shall be-
disappointed, the most serious apprehensons may
we'll be entertained for the safety Of the Union,
which has joss passed thsonsh dfhcuit and momen.
tous crisis. -.'. '..-. ...-
The series of laws passed during the last congress,
denominated the I" Compromise were unequal and
unjust to the South, and constituted just cause of
complaint. But regarding them full and final set
Element of that dangerous and vexed question (and
In that light only) the Southern States very gener
ally manifest willingness to acquesce not because
OF their justice or equality, but for the sake of that
Union, to maintain which, whilst under and con-
troed by the written constitution every patriot would
pledge his fortune, his life and his sacred honor"
but which, without the constitution, is worthless,
true that those provisions effect settlement of this
question. be it so it is what We want. TO let US
and 1t alone is all we have ever contended for and
any effort to reopen the wound renew discussion
upon the subject should be ffowned upon by every
patriot.
Whilst therefore, proper regard for self-respect
and the respect of the nation, as we'll as patriotism
and policy, dictate that Virginia should infexiby
maintain the position she has heretofore taken upon
this question, let as do calmly and with little
anIfa 0SSihl fho ho e
fugitive slaves which but provides the means for the
exercise of right secured TO US by express pro-
vision of the federal constitutions and the only of
the series calculated to be acceptable beneficial
to the South, should be made dead letter upon the
statute book, either by open resistance by evasve
Legislation or other devices which shall prevent its
faithful execution in the non-slaveholdng States,
should Congress repeal or materially modify its pro-
visions, the last hope entertained by the South for that
justice and protection guaranteed to her by the writ
ten compact under which she entered into the Union
will be lost. Though the spirit in which this law
has been received in the Northern Staes is well cal
cuated TO excite serious apprehensions, yet it is
hoped that those who have it in their power to avert
so great calamity to US, to themselves and 10 the
world, will see the abyss upon which we stand, and
stay policy which, ii persisted in, precipitate
| US into irretrievable ruin.
cannot close, without avaiing myself of this op.
portunty to call your attention to those great political
landmarks which have and should ever characterize
the foreign policy Of this government. Surrounding
circumstances everywhere admonsh that these are
revolutionary times. The great events passing be.
fore Indicate approaching crisis in the political
affairs Of all European Rations, and deem this tit
occasion xhen should be admonshed to elig gious.
ly observe the American doctrine of I" non-nterven.
ton." and the avoiding of all "entsngling alliances,
first taught US by the " Father of his country" and
followed by those patriotic statesmen who succeeded
him, until it has been regarded the settled policy
of this government"