The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-12-04


son bsld u mics p isbof q sss.e .ndsr ~
laws thereof essapas into essehst, shsll r eonse.
qusacs n any Law o. reEnlstien tsssin b dschasge
&c e s.;n g a e ..e .sr1ss q
ma ysbs 6ss!s9 & essa7sf Z Il fsts ~ II
The act III NsssAe husetta. Ii svsty rsst.ph y H.
tended BY 10 frsnofs avowediy e hberafe and et.
seics shor snd to prevent his being delivered up
under sny circumstances to hia owner.
The act Of conEre. Of 1850. and the snsndatery
siavea were enacted solely and szpre.lJ 70 execute
this clause Of the Consttution and in accordanec
with its spirit and letter. s y = ssa Is s.
The second clause Of the sixth article Of the Cons
tuition aiso declares that the Consitutien and the
law of shs United Stafea which shall be nads IN pur
thereof shall be the supreme law Of the hand,
aud the judges every state shall he bound thereby;
anything in The Constellation or laws of any State
the contrary Notwithstanding"
Itrequises Argument prove that the act Of MAJ
sachnsetts Is precisely such law regulation - the
CONSTITUTION Intended to provide aEainst.s II ANY
State thus violate and Get ct nausht the funds-
mental law ia particular II may IN ALL and no So
rights or liberties If this government il worth pre-
serving il mnst be maintained in lis purity, and rights
soemnly guaranteed must be respected. 1t becomes
The people that would tamely submit to deprivation
Of their rights unworthy Of the appeaton Of free
men. esg aa4 7Fss a a7s-.at sF 4stasr
iish this Union She cherises its hallcwed offsets,
and would sacrifice much to maintain it.. But there
10 Q point when submission to injustice and gross
wrong ~ degradation and infamy.
In the hope Of preserving the legacy of our fathers
and holdIugmp these independent to the admi
ration OF the world examples Of the glorious re-
suits OF liberty restrained by wholesome Laws, Vir-
gInia has yielded much; borne much patisnce per-
united repeated and improper interference with her
domestic relations endangering her peace witne ssed
the violation of solemn obligations and compacts and
finally unwsrrantable assaults upon ths constitution.
We have warned our northern brethren of the evil
tendency of their acts not only in the direct assault
upon our rights but by the inevitable effect Of such
course to destroy friendly relationship. We have re-
minded them OF our former happy intercourse and IN
qualified brotherly affection, We have demonstrated,
protested, appealed to them. They, too, have been
deaf to the voice of justice and consansuinity 1t
becomes u.s. then to enquire, solen1nly what course
we shall pursue! Many suggestions have occupiedthe
public mind. aH.l-Ts-sa3 -+A s-% =
By it has been suggested to adopt system Of
retaliation by taking possession of their vessels and
other property, when within our jurisdiction, and BY
acting towards their owners when attempting to
ter attempting to secure his slave passing laws similar
TO theirs aed harassng and annoying them with crimi
nal prosecutions penalties and foreitures By others
it has been thought best to discriminate against the
states which exhibit hostility to institutions by
imposing rigid commercial restrictions, laying taxes
upon their goods and obstctng their intercourse by
every means sanctioned by the constitution. Some
would appeal to sister states who suffer similar
ills with us, and recommend the call of southern
convention to consult together for safety and the
security of propery and If need he, resume those
sovereign powers delegated to the general gov.
alternative of dssolving the Union and refuse to sub
NIT to constitutional provisions, which are violated
with npunity. under the sanction of state authority
Such propositions, grsvely mooted by Legislative boz
dies by executive func onaries and by the people in
their primary assemblies solemn warnings of iini-
nent danger. History teaches to what they lead
When men begin to talk of pledgins their lives their
fortunes and their sacred honor their rights
need not be told that the spirit of the fathers OF
the revolution is terminated. The subject is for
deep reflection and wise counsel Threats and men,
aces useless. leave it to the calm consideration
and dignifed action of the general assembly, conf
IDENTIFY believing that rash step will be taken, but
that when action is decided ou viii be such will
vndicate our lights, rebound to the honor of ths
monwealth and to the glory of the Union ~sl
have thus frankly exhibited to the general assem-.
bly, my views of the condition of the commonwealth
of her great works institutions and interests
mended such action as my mind suggested, and in
voked your aid in raising Virginia to the eninence
she ought to occupy NV term is about expire, by
constitutional limit. My successor has boon appoint
ed by an overwhelming majority, demonstrating tina,
he possesses he deserves the confidence of the
ple shall retire to private life with the conscious
Of having disc rgod duty TO the best of my
ability, lookingto Ergnias advancement with long
ing eye, and trusting with the perfect rei
to you. and my successor, to protect her In
terests, guard her rights and her honor and perpeta
ate her fame. 5,t.s +. s- JOS. JOHNSON.
DECRaRER3, 1855. s.at ia r,siysga E~saesrg