Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-12
METEUHOLOGYA AT RICHMOND,
VIRGINIA." :"

"pOLITICAL METEUHOLOGYA AT RICHMOND
VIRGINIA"
This ID the caption of all editorial article in ths
New Orleans Delta of the lst Instant, ndu'g;ng in
criticism of the previous course and present position
Of ".lie Richmond JuG;a," Governor Wise aud the
Enquirer relative t. Northern aggression upon tn,
South. AS 70 "the gradual bu; not SLOW lapse OF thu
Richmond Junta, from tropical heat TO Arctic trgdi
ty, which hus been witnessed within the last five
month";, We have only to cay, if our contemporary o
the Data means, by the "Junta," the Democracy o
this city that we were not aware OF any such SUD
den revuson of temperature in their pollticai sys
TENS If they manifest less excitement and perturba
ton now, than during the late Presidential campaign
on the subject Of Southern institutions il is not tha
heir zeal in tine grea: common cause of all the slave
holding Sntes, is abated in the least, but eimpy be
elhereis no immediate occasion for any such signi
ican demonstrations az were witnessed on the part
the patriotic people Of Virginia, when there was rea
20 fear that the black banner Of Fremont and hi
followers, would soon 0e floating in triumph over the
capital of our country.
That danger has passed for the present. the elec
ton Of Mr.. Buchanan has secured at least an Grnis
tice. And We are willing TO trust the destinies o
the republic to his administration, long as it lasts
Wnsn the "doss of war" are let loose in 1861 the
Delta may BE- assured that old Virginia will be ount
lhen as she is now, aud has been, prepared tc
defend the Constitution, even II it involves the sacri
| iice of the Union
But while We are ready for war, the hope OF ou
heart is for peace. The Old Dominion is still oya
70 The compact OF the confederncy. But che uphold
the Union, only upon those principles on which j
was erected
The contest that came to close on the 9Th If No
vtmber, was between the advocates and enemies o
constitutional liberty. Victory 10 the one was an ex
preston OF the popular will, in endorsement of ou
institutions as they to the other it would hav.
been denial of that affinity of feslng and interests
and equality Of rights, which are the only strong
bonds of brotherhood among States.
The revolutionistS were defeated, aud the affair.
OF the nation again entrusted 70 all honest hear
aud steady hand
AS yet, there has been no exigency which would
have justified disruption of the Union. It is true
the South hss been calumnated in the daily distribe
of the abolition press, aud Oh more than one occa
sion dearest interests have been subjected to dan
ger. But the States are still sovereign, the Constitu
ton is still the ssne, and the institution of slavery
ia stl acknowledged to be without the pale and pro
vince OF Federal jurisdiction. As long az these
things last the State of Virginia will rsise no unhol,
hand against the Union.
We ask no abler or safer administration than tha
now in power. The South sustained Mr. Buchanan i,
the contest and mainly instrumental in his elec
tion Is it not unreasonable is inconsistent tt
refuse him the aid and comfort of our sympathy anc
support, by advocating All event which il our OBJ
ject to AVERT Til. State of Virginia occupies po
siton Of responsibility too grave TO enter with fire
and sword into an incou.derete crusade against al
enemy whom -he hopes to conquer without any such
desperate resort
Gov. Wise, ths Ds!ta thinks, "has ceased these
some months. to live principally on fire, but woulG
rather seeln to make Boston ice garnished with AL
leghany snow, his principal article of diet"
Our excitaDe coemporary is much mistaken, ir
slpposing that his Excrency has ever been giver
10 fondness for such fare "re" and is equally 81
in the Inference that hn now regnles hmeef on the
fruits Of the Frigid Zone Gov. Wise has ever beer
firm friendofh the Union. His generous soul and gian
mind inspired with cnnobling devotion to liber
~ which has consistently characterized his brilliant
political his early entrance into public life
During the late anxious and doubtful contest for The
Presidency his voice O: warning awakened an echo
throughout the Old Dominion And our glorious ole
Stale stood prepared for The worst, while hoping fol
the best Had Black R-publcanism triumphed
VIRGINIA. under the lcId Of her CHOSEN champion
and chief would have flung the flag Of DisunioI
bravey 10 the breeze. As il il, che is unwilling L
DO nuw that which she zeaousy exeried herself t
avoid in November. The Dtiia has evidently form
I'd HI inadequate estimate, both Of the conservative
nationality OF Gov. Wise and OF the State, which il
honored by honoring him.
Because we prefer dsunion rather than subms
sion to the election Of Black Republican President
there is no reason to infer that we have aban
doned all hope Of perpetuating our government anc
securing the rights Of the South through the conser
va've sense of the people.
With regard 10 the Enquirer, the Dsto takes us tt
tack for re-publshing and commencing an article
from the 81. Louis Leader, reprobating the emanci
patton movement in Missouri, in which it helt
that "the true policy for Missouri was to act ths
part of middle ground and mediating Stats between
the North and South leaving slavery in its legal sta
tus quo to be controlled only by the laws of com
merce and emigration"
Is there anything in this TO excite the asioDislimen
or provoke the disapprobaton of Southern men7-
When ,hare il n powerful! party In slaveholdine
State, earnestly and actively endeavorng to d6of'
ion,.e the State, is unreasonable wrong for the
Richmond Enquirer, journal upholding the nstllu
ton of saveryas God send TO both the African and
AngloSaxon race to accompany, with preliminary EN-
endorsement an argument 10 the people Of that
State against the enactment Of laws for the emanc
patton of their slaves' But, says the Delta:
"Now, what is good argument in Missouri is good
argument in Virginia; and what IL sound policy in
,hs former under like circumstances. must be sound
policy IN the latter. II it il right and wholesome to
leave Missouri To the legal status qno, with the fore
kunwl-dga that the laws OF commerce and cmigrs.
ton will gradually and certainly eliminate slavery
from her borders il not bp tss to surrender Vir
gna TO the same process. and let her be peacefully
Thayerized, sooner Or later, as 1t may be"
II the Delta would not have Missouri left she is,
with laws recognizing and protecting slavery, we
would ask what should he done
All we have ever asked Of the North is, TO lei MS
aioae What obstacle would the Delta oppose to
the lave of commerce and emigrationl'
The State of Virginia would consider it perfectly
"right and wholesome" to be- left to her own laws
alone for The preservation Of slavery within her bor-
ders. Such right and wholesome" non-interfer.
eDca il all we claim under The Constitution.
II the St. Louis Lender is satisfied that nothing
can save slavery in Missouri, thers is certainly no
evidence of its being pleased ct the prospect, from
the fact that it opposes the repeal Of the Laws already
recognizing the institution.
Our contemporary Of the Delta need not be afraid
of thc effects of the cold comfort OF the Enquirer
Our station s much nearer The fron.er than his
And he may be assured that when Virginia draws the
sword, then. and not till then, the crisis will have
come when separation or submission must ensue.
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
The May number o! this monthly magazine Which
has been unfasrug in the exercise of its ardent de
,,;,, ., S,uthorn tns;es and jnterasts WAC issued