Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-12-08
.raE SA4,osA1 1s1rLI.eEscrs on the psEsl.

- & = y i
TIE NATIoSAL ISIELlIeEscRR on TIE Past
prs-'s MEssAeE-Thc suEjoined extract from
the REMARKS OF the National 1ntellisencer, need
no preface of ours. for they are OF that calm,
dignifed. and tfuth:telling kind, that ever char
those Of our readers who have read attentiyely
the late Message, we are sure they viii appear at
once as just and reasonable. We incline TO be
conservative in all our opinions-we are utterly
opposed to all infringement upon the institutions
of the different States Yet we feel that the Pre-
sident has altogether tmisapprehended or mis-
represented the Northern feeling on the subject
of slavery. The people of the North do not,
with the exception ola few bigoted Garrisoni-
ana and Abbey Keilyites, propose to at all inter
fere with Slavery as II exists: They wish merely
TO prevent It's extension into territory now free.
Whatever opinion may be entertained evenof
this creed, IT is due to truth and fairness that
every liberal journal should record their dissent
from misstatements of this kind, let them ems-
nate from whence they may. The Intelligeneer
says:
But, however reluctant TO find any fault with
a Message in which there is so much 10 commend
we must in candor take issue with the Presi-
dent on one of his positions. He assumes that
associations have been formed s'infiamed with
desire TO change the domestic institutions of ex-
listing States, !" 10 change the relative condition
ofthe white aud black races in the slayeholding
States-in other words, to abolish slavery there
(which he correctly argues cannot be effec-
ted by any peaceful instrumentality, and that
tue only path 10 its accomplishment is through
burning cities, and rayaged fields, and slaugh-
tered populations picture dreadful to con-
template. and which would prove dire reality
H;he fell purpose ascribed to those associations
were real But we cannot agree with the Pre-
sitent that so atrocious purpose Is meditated
or desired by any portion of our Northern popu-
lation, beyond possibly 8 few insane fanatics in
certain localities.
Whatever repugnance may be felt in the Free
States north and west, TO slavery in the alb
stract or to Its practical extension north of the
line prescribed TO it by the legislative of 1921
wehave too high an opinion of the general re-
spect felt in those States for the Constitution
and its compromises, and for the indefeasible
rights of the Southern States, to give credence
% the sweeping charge of the President 1t is
as unjust, we think, TO attribute to them any
such sentiment or purpose as 1t would be to
impute TO the patriotic people of the South a
desire 10 overthrow the Government because
one or two newspapers and n few monomaniacs
in particular locality rail.against the union of
the States and advocate its dissolution. There
are doubtless causes of complaint, not all of
them imaginary, both North and South, but We
have too much faith in the general loyalty of
both sections TO admit the justice of the Presi-
dents allegation. In the most violent debates
of the last session we heard Northern Senator'S,
distinguished for their extreme opinions on the
Kansas question, not only publicly repudiate
the remotcst wish or intention 10 interfere with
slavery in the States, but syow their readiness
TO shoulder their muskcts to defend the people
of the South. if need be, in maintaining their
authority at home.
Weare not extenuatihg the extrayagances of
fanatics in the North or IN the West; but, with
h f has sos fo th far P r must that
sentiments or designs to so large portion of
the people of the Free States 1t is not to be
wondered at, perhaps, that the President should
feel warmly and speak strongly on subject in
which his own official course has been so severe
ly condemneda but when the angry contentious
of the day shall have subsidized the uncharita-
bleness. OF many present views viii be rectified,
and among them the one advanced in the Mes
sage from which we now feel constrained in JUS
tice to dissent, and on which we will say no
more. We will only add that we should be
happy TO see the day when neither the word
slavery nor any sllnsion to the institution will
lind place in the Presidents Messages to Con-
gress.