The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-24
For the National Era.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN VIRGINIA.

In the county of Loudoun, Virginia, there
has existed, since 1851, society, having for
its object, as the preamble to its Constitution
declares, "a free exchange of sentiment, the
spreading of truth and mutual improvement
and for its title, the " Goose Greek Literary So.
ciety." On the 18th of March last, regular
adjourned meeting of this Society was held at
the Goose Creek School House, for the purpose
of debating the question, "That we do endorse
the nomination of Willard Fillmore by the
American Party"
At a previous meeting, the following par
ties were chosen to open the discussion, viz;
Thomas Taylor and Henry Brown for the at.
frmative, and Francis II. Ray and Jesse II.
Brown for the negative. In their replies, ?.
II. Ray and j. II. Brown argued nat they
could not endorse the nomiuaIinn[ upon the
ground that the nominee was not opposed TO
the further extension Of Slavery, that he signed
the Fugitive Slave Law, &c. The former said
that with Washington, and Jefferson, and
Franklin, and Jay, with the founders of our
Government and the trainers of our Consiitu
ton, he was opposed to the extension Of Hu.
forever to Freedom. The latter expressed sim.
liar sentiments; and concluded by adding the
hope that the fertile plains Of Kansas and Ne
braska might never, in the truthful Language
of the Senator from Alabama, Mr. Clay sex
hibt the painful signs of senility and decay
apparent in Virginia and the CarOlinas.'
Neither of these speakers argued upon the
abolition of Slavery; but both said that they
would not disturb the institution where it al.
ready exists, but would leave it to die out on
the land that bred it.
After the chosen speakers had concluded,
and after several brief speeches from Others,
James Z. Trayhern was called upon for
speech upon the affirmative. He responded in
a lengthy and irrelevant speech, and regretted
that the discussion had turned upon the Slavery
question-although he spoke throughout from
half dozen pages Of notes upon that qnes-
ton. He emphatically denied that Mr.. Ray
had the right of freedom Of speech upon that
question upon Virginia soil, although he him
self devoted an hour and half to its discus
sion. HereupoP, the meeting became much
excited, and loud cries Of He has the right
he shall have the freedom of speech came
from all parts of the room. At this point, Mr..
Ray told him that if he or any other gentle
man would come to New York, he would be
allowed entire freedom of speech upon any
and every question, and be treated with re-
spectful hearing. To which Trayhern respond
ed, that "he (Ray) might have entire freedom
Of speech on Virginia soil, If he would speak
right" Mr.. Trayher then expressed the hope
that Slavery might go into Kansas that me
South might never cease in its presentHsf0rts,
until it should be firmly established there. lie
declared that, rather than see the Missouri
Compromise restored, (strongly as he was op'
posed to its repeal, he would see the Union
dissolved. This sentiment gave rise to some
Kissing, and much excitement, and received
reply from Jesse Hoge. He said that he bad
heard long and loud denunciations of Northern
fanatieism, bat never of any that would com
pare with that, and that that was Southern "a
naticism Of the rankest kind. He was fo.loE'
ed by H. Brown, Thomas Taylor, and Others
(AmericanS,) all of whom declared that they
could not endorse the kind of Americanism
laid down by their would.be colleague, james
F. Trayhern Thus much for the facts relating
to the meeting. Now for the sequel.
During the speech of James f. Trayhern'
he was prompted repeatedly by Josiah b. lay
lor-who sat at his elbow-editor OF the De"'..
ocrGtic Mirror, of Leesburg Va, an organ %
Henry A. Wise and his party. Soon AFTER tIs
Mirror appeared with an article under the u'g
OF BLACK RepuDlcan Meeung III LytNOU
Next followed the Sentinel aud the Hash"Y
tonian, of Leesburg, and the pirginiG Se"t"b1
of Alexandria, with articles denouncing those
who conducted the negative of the aboye.meI
toned discussion as "Abohtionists," "tsnst
ics," "violators Of law" "disturbers Of puolc
peace" and other epithets expressive OF then
surprise and Indignation.
The law which declares it to be criminal "
deny the right of masters to property IN slave
was printed, for the edi6cation and enllgh'eh,
ment of Mr.. Ray, and he was advised, throuon
the columns of the public press, to suppress,
his sentiments, and to beware of those Potenii
arguments tar and feathers, and persona
violence. 10
Indignation meetings have been held IN ~,
ferent parts of the county, and resolutions sun
liar to the following, which we md IN W
county papers, and equally foreign To- '2e SUI
iect, have been adopted:
4" Resolped, That this manifestation OF a TeCA
less and disorganized spirit the repeated Wo
lation of the policy of our laws, the lhreatensl
disturbance of our peace, and such outrage
upon our public honor, will, if persistedr1D, anu
an appropriate, if not effectual, regaSay
Mr.. Ray has removed TO 49, State, no'
because he feared the laws,lIs kRgisia, but be {
cause, consistently with the doctrines held y
the Society Of which he is q member, he eouN'
not resist the threatened violence.