Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-11-14

TUESDAY MoRNING.....Nov. IL. 1851.
Positions of the Mo-, til and South

the result of the recent elections in that section,
has declared that the Union is now in greater
danger than ever heretofore. We are not dis
posed to question the correctness rf this opinion,
and upon the idea that the fact is 50. it may be
well for u to state the positions held by the
North and South respectively upon this question
from Which consequences uf such fcarfel moment
may probably ensue.
The position of the South is predicated upon
the idea that the different members of the con.
federacy are not only equal in respect of sorer-
ingty within their respective limits, but as n con-
sequence of this, that they. by their citizen,.ha'e
equal rights and privileges in all territory heldby
their common trustee or agent, The Federal Gov
ernment. She insists that these rights and this
equality are practically denied whenever legi-la-
ton is applied to the territories, no matter in
what quarter exercised, by which the citizens OF
each aud every state hive not the privilege of
removing 10 aud settling in said territories, carry
ing with them any and every species of property
which at the time of removal they may chance 10
hold, or afterwards may choose to acquire. And
this privilege. she maintains must, of necessity
continue to exist until such time as the Federal
Government acting in pursuance of power de
rived from the constitution. shall relnqulsh the
sovereign title resting in II, as trustee for the
equal benefit of the states, 10 The people of the
territory with n view TO ennble them 10 organize
a State Government preparatory to being re
ceived into the Union.
The principles thus held by. tho South, it will
at once he perceived, utterly exclude the idea NJ
we'll that Congress has any rightful power 10
-. II Na~tt -. III ., a., IL.
mere inhabitants, of II territory, during its condl-
ton of p~upilage, can adopt any valid law by
which TO impair or deny the rights of the seY
eral states and their citizens a. above defined
She holds farther, too, that when the people of n
territory, al n proper time aud IN II proper man
ner. come 10 exercise their first permitted act
of sovereignty, which Is 10 frame u constitution
for their government as n state, they hive full
power To declare whether slavery shall exist or
not within that jurisdiction And afterwards
when the new state applies for admission into
the Union, ii is her perfect right t" he received.
and Congress has no power 10 deny her appllea
ton, or to attach any condition to her admission,
save that specified in the constitution, which Is,
that her form Of Z ,vrrnncn shall he republican.
Every siate in the Union, subject 10 tins last
named RESTRICTION can. fot itself, adopt on lnlihit
slavery, just as it may choose and ihe existence
of this Institution in one state ia no wise affects
or should concern the people of nny other. snYc
that a right exists, which should enable n citizen
of the fcnIrss, wluse snye has fed within ile
limits Of I'll latter, 10 have him captured aud re
stored IL Us possession. 7" afTceiuate this
right. the Jaw known as the Fugitive Slave Bill
- ba., op,,,ol Gar tho .lun. aud unnb.trtnatrl
execution of which the South has he clearest aud
most express warrant in The Constitution itseif,
Such being the position and principles held by
the South III regard to this question, let u now
regard far IA moment the attitude aud views Of
the North. Without den> ing Ia term. the ,quai
fly of the States, she assrr1s that the Federal
Government j. vested with powers, the practical
effort of which, il exercised, Is tuutameunt 10
such denial. In every aspect in which W. hive
undertaken ta present the opinions of the Seoih
in regard To this institution. the sentiment of the
North is directly the reverse; that is, il there be
any consistency between the sentiments of her
people aud their known acts and declared purpo-
ses. 1hes maintain ihc doctrine of 'sgaettrr
sovereignty" They claim for Congress the pow
or both 10 apply the Wilmet Proviso 10 a Terri
tory, and Ia deny a new State admission into me
Union, if its constitution recognizes slavery
They resist the law for the recovery m fugitive
slaves a. if ii were Unconstitutional, 0nd declare
their purpose to repeal it And they are, in
canvsssing tnr their Representatives an Congress,
making a great. and thus far, an nlsrlningly sue
cessful effort 10 choose men pledged to war upon
Slavery during the period OF their legislative
service in each and every mode pertaining 10 the
action of the Federal Government.
1t is manifest, if these men do not falsify their
pledges. that the South eau look only To herself
for safety. We know NOT bow sanp these issues
may be pressed upon us. Cuba may s'eon he
acquired, either ny purchase or by seizure in
satisfaction Of osr demands against Spain. New
States may ere long he seeking admission into
the Union, which will present the question in its
most aggravated form between the Slave States
and the Free. BY presenting this subject fully
10 the people, We should be prepared for concert
ed action and if the inn condact Of the South,
united in demanding her equal rights. cannot
stay the tide of reckless fanaticism which would
deny or disregard them, then whatever fate may
betide the Union. hers will be the glory of havirg
struggled to the last for the preservation of the
Constitution and the maintenance of the Sever
eighty of the States.
TES THOUSAND Kxow-NoTHNGs IN CouNCn.
Thu Raltinnra Pa tri a.. of xpS,nr1nv saw. ,bnt