Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-08-18
Sectional Question Again.

iOTWeu 10 PROVIDE lot the common defence,
to establish a system of intercommunica-
ton and good neigh borhood between the
States, and promote their general well
fare. Each State, separately and for itself.
independent and sovereign, was party in
the formation Of the compact, Southern
States with their slaves, and the Northern
States without, with full view of the
condition of each one, agreed to form an
Union upon the terms of the constitution.
In that instrument the Southern States
took care to provide for the protection OF
their slaves, and the Northern States agreed
to an honorable. just and equal Union
Upon this basis the Federal Government
originated, and was conducted by Its
founders. But since they have pass
ed away. some of the Northern States
have refused to comply with ,he terms OF
the agreement, ard have passed laws sub
stantially nu!lilying those provisions de-
signed to protect the rights and honor OF
the Southern States. The grievances aris-
ing out Of this refusal Of the Northern
States have grown intolerable to the South.
Appeal after appeal has been addressed %
their sense Of justice. They have been
pointed to the provisions of the constitu-
ton and the laws made to enforce them
and all have proved unavailing. The
South have very little more protection TO
their slaves than if they were bordering
on England OF France. Had the South a
foreign neighbor, who would rob and steal
her slaves, and violate every treaty for
their restitution, she would at once con.
slider ii a casa beHi. and the tocsin of war
would soon be sounded through the entire
South. The const tuition and laws are no
protection, because the Federal Govern.
ment cannot execute tie laws intte North
where they are not sustained by the pub
liz sentiment.
There is no protection TO The master OR
the slave under the existing state of things.
The popular mind is rapidly being in
famed, and the feelings of the sections
alienated by the. renewed assaults upon our
hight. Every thing por,ends rupture of
the nominal Union which still exists.
We urged last week the early adoption
of the best peaceful eApedient by which II
may be hoped to bring the conservative
portion ofsihe Northern people to a sense
oil the impending danger, who alone can
avert a dissolution Of he Union.
We hope the Southern press will take
up the subject and give their views upon
the practicabili!y and efficiency Of system
OF nonintercourse withthe North until she
does the South justice. We regret as
much as any onv, that those at the North
who have been faithful to the Federal
constitution, should suffer the penalties OF
such system, as much as the rankest ia-
hattie; but we fear that it will be almost
impossible to devise system by which
we can discriminate. This is subject
for diseession, however, aud let US have il.
We are in favor of exhausting every
means for bringing baek the country to
the basis OF the constitution. We want
no compromises. They have done and
will DO no good. The Union can stand
upon nothing but the constitutional basis
and the fathers Of the Replb!c saw it at
he yer, inception Of the government aud
hence their faithful adherence to it.
The South has nothing which she can I
compromise. She has committed no ae-
,ressons upon the North. She demands
nothing but herplain constitutional rights,
and to recede from them viii be ruinous.
II any OF the Northern States are tired
Of the Union. based upon the consti,u.
ion-if they believe it is "a league with
hell, let them give formal notice of the
act to the other members OF the conrede-
aey. II is time tie South kuew wha,
Massachusetts and her contederates pro-
pose doing.
The South cannot submit TO an incessan,
predatory warfare on the part OF the n ORTIZ,
n violation Of the constitution and laws,
while she regards herself in honor bound
" them. They must bind both sections
IT neither.
int 4 - !