Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-08-22
For The Snectnlnr

Iothe Editors Of The Speciator-G Gentlemen :
In view OF The wrongs that have been pernetra.
ted upon Southern men in the North within tho
last year or two, as well as the gloomy nnpsnect
ahead, it is time Tor The citizens of the s.vab,lJ
ing States 10 adopt some action to protect thoir
persons and property as well as to avert tho Ca
lalnity which threatens or fUrebodes the I',ion
from Northern ianatcisln. We can M Lee,
remain Indifferent 10 the outrages peroetr,,ed ON
the rights Of the South. The Constitutinn ,nJ
Laws guarantee 10 all ctizeus equal protection in
person and property, without regard to locality
Have the citizens OF the slave-holding States the
benefit Of this protection p! Dare thew travel
through the North with their servant or servants
unmUlested secure In the enjoyment of those
Constitutional rights? II such is the opiuinn Of
any, lei them but pass north of Mason and Dix
on IS line with their slave property and they will
soon learn from experience that there is higher
law which contemnS and rdicules their pretensions
to equal rights. Why lay the fatiering JUNCTION
to ourselves that these wrongs enacted upon
southern men are The work Of few infatuated
Abolitonisis, and that the mass of the people are
conservative and patriotic Ii this be true, why
is not tie supremacy of The laws INDICATED p
Why not bring these wild enthusiasts to condign
punishment? The contrary is obvious. The
rights Of the Southern men with but few excep
tions) have been violated with lmpunity, and the
law for the recovery OF fugitive slaves as well as
the Constitution, have been deliberately nuIfied
and repudialed both by Legislative and Judicial
action WHY this Indifference, this apathy a
mOng our people, when It is apparent that we
have reached crisis involving notonly the vital in
terests of the South but the Union? There can be
no valid objection in taking al least some incinient
steps TO guard our interests. If it is wrong 10
defend our rights from aggression, 10 protect our
property and our homes from desOlation, then the
right of representation is no longer a. paramount
duty The remedy 20 be adopted, the course to
be pursued TO attain purpose, is question
perhaps Of grave consideration. however agree
with the Editors of the Richmond Whg,r that
the people OF the North are peculiarly sensitive
TO the pocket nerve. Stop buying and trading
with them, and al least if you do not arrest their
wild fanaticism, you will incidentally develop the
elements of Southern wealth. Let the people
meet at their respective election precincts and re.
solve not 10 patronize any merchant who will 90
North of Baltimore to purchase his or their sup
plies. Or if less Objectionable, letthe merchants
of the county call meeting and by mutual I'M
derstanding agree not TO q beyond the limits of
the slave holding States 10 replenish their stocks
If the slave holding Saeswl adopt the plan OF
non-intercourse as far practicable, 1t must and
will tell on the future conduct of the people OF
the North. II would inspire the North with
just sense of her dependence, and vivid appre-
hension of losing by further aggression the liberal
of the South. that has been heretofore
one OF the great elements ofNorthern prosperity.
AUGUSTA.