The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-11

world, as compared with those of the Northern
States. You say, first, as a question, why
should this be so? And second, by expressing
your opinion, you think they will advance.
"The great weight on this security is easily
seen in the indefinite apprehensions which are
everywhere felt on the contingencies OF the
Slavery question, which is now assuming
more and still more serious aspect in every new
movement. Its influence is felt in all points OF
the Union it at once creates and destroys all
the sympathes of American society. Its voice
is heard in all the private conferences OF COM
mon life, and determines the election OF your
President and all your great officers OF State.
The exciting question in Europe is, how
will oil this end? The case does present
strange anomaly. A Federal Union of sover-
eign States, presenting compact entirely of
common interests as concerns all your foreign
relations-while each State maintains &C.
knowledged independence which will admit of
no interference with its internal regulations--and
these States, each one imperium in imperiO,
divided into t,cO at least great sections, act
uated by different interests on question which
is becoming a passion rather than the subject
OF careful inquiry, and exciting crash OF feel
ings which to us at distance looks almost like
q preparation for war of the worst character,
not of nation against nation, but between man
and man.
/" 1t is quite a common determination here,
of the most considerable and liberal men, l will
have nothing in the slave States
"Now, can you tell us what is to be the issue
of this question? Will you agree on it with
your Free Soil brethren of the North and East,
or persuade them to go on as you have done,
while this difference is daily ripening into a
moral tester, which must be always breaking
out In some new form? Or, will it result in a
dissolution of the Union? These are some of
the leading questions on which many sequences
must afterwards arise-the way in which each
section, and each individual State, may be
affected by the conclusion, whatever it be. We
think we see enough in this to keep Virginia
stock low Without entering into the question
itself, it is easy to its effect on this great
interest
Notwithstanding our large creation of bull
hon In California and Australia, the demand
Tor money is quite equal to the supply: and
those who have acted on the assurance of any
cheap money have not yet realized the promise
OF returning peace. The present appearance
OF things seems to favor the opinion that we
shall not have money cheaper this year. 1t de-
ponds, however, very much on the developments
IN France, where present values, which have
been much inflated by speculation, may prove
TO have more of reality than some of us sup.
pose.
eve shall be glad to have any well-consider-
ed thoughts on the effect of this Slavery ques-
ton IN ats issue on Virginia and her institu-
uons-and how far the people Of Europe are
wise IN preferring the sureies of the free States
to those of Virginia and other slave States
There are other causes properly affecting
the question of safety, in the increased and
probaby-increasing debt of the State but in
these observations we have confined ourselves
to the one Absorbing consideration of Slavery.
AS we have always had considerable
amount invested in the Bonds and Stock of
your State, and shall probably always have the
same during the writer's life, it is subject of
practical interest to u.s."
OF the writer of the foregoing letter, the
Wig remarks as follows:
I'm illustration ofthe paralyzing and depress-
ing effect OF the intermnable Slavery agitation
on Virginia stocks and the material interests of
the Southern States generally, we subioin let
ter from an eminent mercantile house in Lon
don to a distinguished gentleman in this city,
received by the last steamer. The writer of this
letter was formerly resident of Richmond and
engagedin heavy business here. Havingremov-
ed to London, he now transacts large proper
ton ofthe business of Virginia traders and bank
ers; and, of course, has no motive to misrepresent
the actual state of things in regard to the effect
OF our domestic contentious and strife upon the
interests of the South abroad"
The editors proceed to comment, at some
length, upon the dangers of agitation" and
remark
owe invite special attention to the contents
OF this letter. They cannot but impress upon
every sagacious and rejecting mind the para
mount necessity of an earnest and united effort
on the part of the conservatives and patriots of
the South to put an end to the calamitous agi-
tation which now prevails throughout the
land"
This object is to be accomplished by the cleo
ton of Mr.. Fillmore.
Everything" say the editors, ain our udg-
ment, depends upon the issue of the approach
ing Presidential election. If either Buchanan
or Fremont should be elected, there will be no
abatement of the fanatcism and strife and sec
tlonal anlmosity which are now tearing and
rending the very vitals of the Republic On the
contrary, the present ruinous condition of things
will be indefinitely continued, and probably az
gravated to an extent not now dreamed Of The |
public feeling will be still more and more in. |
hamed, and public quiet and harmony still more |
remote than ever before. What, then, is the |
only hope of the country for relief from the ills
and troubles that now disturb, harass, and afflict
it In the sincerity and honesty of our hearts. |
we believe that our only prospect of deverance |
lies in the election of Mr.. Fillmore. In his ca. |
paclty, moderation, wisdom, and patriotism. |
men Of all parties and sections repose undoubt. |
ed confidence"
1t is amazing that intelligent men, with large |
experience in the history of the country for a |
generation past can amuae thensalvos NTH .ho |
idle notion of suppressing the agitation of Sla-
very while Slavery exists. Was there no api- |
tation during Mr.. Fillmore's Presidency? Has
not the agitation been constantly gaining |
strength and importance, from the time that the |
South indicated its settled policy in favor of ex-
tending and perpetuating the institution /? The |
truth is, that nothing could stop agitation in the |
free States, but the reversal of the policy of the
slave States; and this can only be accomplished |
by the election Of Col. Fremont. When the |
Southern people GENERALLY admitted the evils,
moral and political of Slavery, and deplored their
inability to abolish it while the debts incurred |
by the war of the Revolution and the war of
1872 still depressed them, the people of the
free States were silent on the subject; but when.
in consequence of the growing Importance of |
the cotton culture, and the gradual decay Of the
spirit OF Liberty, the South fell in love with Sla.
very, and declared its determination to perpet.
uate and extend the system, the people of the
North began to wake up, too slowly, but never
to sleep again while the grasping tyranny curses
the earth and disgraces the American name.
l ha fad,