Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-19

lregnla alton therein, be discharged from
such service on labor, bat shan PEE deilV.f
ered npon clam. Of The party 20 whom
such service may bed
\ The act of Alassasll pset IN every,
paragraph, as intended by rs lrarneFs
ayoWeliIy to- libefate and e1pressly pros
yiles for discharging every slave from
such service or labor, and to prevent his
being delivered up upon any clrcum-
stance to his owner.
The act of congress of 1898 and the,
amendatory act of 1850, providing for the
rendition Of fugitive slaves, were enacted
solely and expressly to execute this clause
of the constitution, and are in accordance
With its spirit and letter.
The second clause of the sixth article
ofthe constitution also declares, "shat the
constitution and laws of the United States,
which shall BE made.in pursuance thereof.
shall be the supreme law of the land, and
the Judges Of eyery state shall be bound
thereby anything in the constitution
or laws Of any state to the contrary not
withstanding
It requires no argument to prove that
the act Of Massachusetts is precisely such
law or regulation as the constitution
intended to provide against, lfany state
can thus violate and set at naught the
fundamental law in one particular, it may
in all, and no security or safeguard is left
for the preservation Of our rights and lib
critics. If this government is worth pro-
al
and tho rights solemnly guaranteed must
be respected It;beoomes subject Of
deep Importance and of vital consequence.
The people that would tamely submit 10
a deprivation of their rights are unwor-
thy of the appellation of freemen.
Virginia contributed with her hearts
blood to establish this Union. She cher
ishes its hallowed objects, and would
sacrifice much to maintain it. But there
is point when submission to injustice
and gross wrong is degradation and infa-
my.
In the hop pc Of preserving the legacy Of
our fathers, and holding up these indie
pendent States to the admiration of the
world as examples Of the glorious results
of liberty restrained by wholesome laws.
Virginia has yielded much borne much
in patience permitted repeated and inn
proper interference with her domestic re-
lations. cndangering her peace witnessed
the violation OF solemn obligations and
compacts and finally, understandable as
saults upon the constitution.
We have warned our northern breth-
rem Of the evil tendency Of their acts, not
only in the direct assault upon our rights,
but by the inevitable effect Of such a
course to destroy friendly relationship
We have reminded them Of our former
happy intercourse and unqualified broth
erly affection. We have demonstrated,
protested, appealed TO them. "They,
too, have been deaf TO the voice of Justice
and cousanguinity." 1t becomes US, then,
to enquire solemnly, what course We shall
pursue Mnny suggestions have occu-
| pied the public mind.
BY some it has been suggested to adopt
a system of retaliation, by taking posses
sion Of their vessels aud other property
when within our jurisdiction, and by acts
ing towards their owners, when attempt
ing to assert their rights, precisely as they
act towards master attempting to secure
his slave, passing laws similar to theirs,
and harassing and annoying them with
criminal prosecutions, penalties and for>
fixtures. By others it has been thought
best to discriminate against the States
which exhibit hostility to our institutions,
by imposing rigid commercial restrictions,
laying taxes upon their goods, and OBJ.
strncting their intercourse by every means
sanctioned by the constitution. Some
To oil r.,
fer similar ills with US, and recommend
the call OF southern convention, to con~
suit together for our safety and the Sc
curlLy OF our property, and if need be, re-
sumo those sovereign powers now dele
gated to the general govGrnment-while
others would at once rush into the alter
native of dlssolVing the Union, and refuse
to submit TO constitutional provisions,
which are violated with impunity, under
the sanction Of State authority.
Such propositions, gravely mooted by
Legislative bodies. by executive function
aries, and by the people in their primary
assemblies, are solemn warnings Of i'm
mInent danger. History teaches to what
they lead. When men begin to talk Of
Piedglng their lives, their fortunes and
their sacred honor TO preserve their rights,
we need not be told that the spirit Of the
fathers of the revolution is terminated
The subject is one for deep reflection and
wise counsel. Threats and menaDces
are useless. I-leave it to the calm con-
sideration and dignifed action OF the gen
eral assembly, confidently believing that
no rash step will be taken, but that when
action is decided on. it will be such as
will vindicate our rights, rebound to the
honor OF the commonwealth aud TO the
glory OF the Union.
l have thus frankly exhibited to the
general assembly my views of the condi-